"Please Help Support My Site" .
I've come across a number of sites - some of them huge with a ton of traffic that have somethig along these lines:
"Please help support my site by contributing a few dollars to keep it going. I am very happy to help people but these videos and reviews all take time and money - lots of time and in most cases lots of money. As a result its hard for me as a one man business to be able to consistently deliver quality content without breaking the bank.
If you like my website and are in a position to contribute even $5.00 or $10.00 it would be greatly appreciated. Of course if things are tight I don't expect you to do yourself or your family short and don't want you to feel compelled to contribute.
You can also help by buying any product I recommend through the Amazon links I provide. It doesn't cost you any more than if you went direct. As a "thank-you' from Amazon they give me a small commission for sending you to them.
Payments can be made through paypal, by credit card blah blah blah ...
Thanks for understanding."
It seems kinda wrong to me but is it?
Are these sites getting considerably more from their followers and should we consider doing similar?
I'm a bit uncomfortable with the idea but worth discussing I think.
What are your thoughts on this.
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I'm with DA (Dashnow) on this. I've seen a few sites that do this and I have ZERO respect for them. I also notice that their content is very shallow and low quality.
For all these reasons, I avoid them like the plague!
They think that they are smart to do this - but, I think they are ruining their chances at becoming a trustworthy, believable website.
Personally, I would never even think about begging for donations. It would make me feel unworthy and cheap.
Jim
Me too.
The site I am referring to has some awesome content which kinda makes it worse because I am certain he makes good commissions. I would certainly buy on his recommendations - until I saw the request for a donation that is.
Enuff said ...
I am amazed that this is going on. If I ever visited a site that asked for a donation like this I would never go back.
Been asking myself the same question lately...
It's also important to consider when we reach out to our viewers for support. If you only have ten people visiting a day, maybe it's not such a great idea.
But if you have a consistent thirty and better yet, a few hundred daily, you can really rake it in!
I know a lot of people are doing this, and while it can be uncomfortable, I think as long as you have a great connection to your audience and you receive lots of interaction, it's a no-brainer.
I would only ask for donations though, the affiliate link mention is a bit much.
Hope this helps!
I wouldn't ever do it unless I had no affiliate links but was providing a valuable and costly service.
Imagine walking into a brick and mortar store and they ask you for a donation as well as try and sell you something. Just not right IMO
When you put it that way... I can see your point. But I think it depends on the situation.
Ex. If you provide content that has affiliate links on and off, (switching between the two I mean), I think the audience might be okay with it.
But I'm only a month into this business, so what do I know?
If you aren't effectively getting a return on investment in your own site, Your business has no business soliciting from others! .Don't even think about it in WA or any other professional organization!
Some people and organizations are providing services free of charge and in order to maintain doing so, they ask for donations. One example is "Guardian". This seems Ok to me.
Regarding offer to buy Amazon products, I don't approve it.
One thing is for sure, it's against Amazon's terms of service to ask people/tell people to use your links.
Don’t Get Banned From The Amazon Affiliate Program | Top Reasons Why You May Get Banned: https://affiliate-marketing-biz.com/banned-from-the-amazon-affiliate-program
I don't ask people for money to support my site, but I don't see anything wrong with it.
Most people just aren't that prideful sadly although website hosting and a domain gets exspensive especially with a lot of traffic and bandwidth so I can see why they do it but its not justified as I'm sure they make more than enough from affiliate sales alone
Indeed, so its not really justified asking for donations for you're own benefit even though they can afford to keep up their site.
Well I don't know for sure. but in any event the whole methodology doesn't sit well with me.
I wonder how many people actually do freely donate
Honestly I'm sure the number my surprise you but agreed it doesn't sit well for me its like begging for change on the side of the road. Selling something and asking for a donation? No thanks
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There is no way I would ever consider degrading my website by begging for money. I work hard to be trustworthy and have a good connection with my readers. I agree with Dashnow...if I came across a website like that, I would quickly go on my way and never go back! I'm sure my readers would do the same if I requested support for my website or sales from affiliate links. That just doesn't sit well with me at all! Carol