I've been using paypal.me, and the ability to change the donation at the URL has been incredibly helpful towards getting patrons to choose an amount that suits them. I suggest $X but they are free to change, and it's super easy. Often patrons up the number and I get more donations. I'm not convinced the multiplier buttons do the same thing.
Further that URL bit allows me to suggest different donation amounts to different patrons. If I offer someone tech support I might sent a link with /10 or /20 at the end, others who I just answer a quick question might get a /2 at the end. It allows me to suggest amounts on the fly based on our relationship.
But on BMC, I see that I have to pre-guess a donation amount and run the risk of alienating donor with an amount that's too high (they don't donate), or leaving money on the table by choosing too low. I've definitely had donors give more than 5X my suggestion.
Giving the donor agency in selecting an amount may help in gaining more overall donation.
Are you the Mike DelGaudio who contributes to the NoSleep Podcast?! If so, I've listened to your voice acting for hundreds of hours... HN never ceases to amaze me for bringing dialogue from people you would never expect to run in to.
But on topic, I agree with your feedback. I run a volunteer video game project with about 8000 users who are pretty active and also come from a huge variety of economic situations. Right now I don't ask for donations but I've been considering the best way to do it without it in any way appearing to be a fee or charge for the project. I've considered using paypal.me and really like the URL based system for donation amounts. I love the idea of BMC because it targets exactly what I want to express--give something back but you aren't buying a product or special treatment.
First off, welcome to BuyMeACoffee! Had a quick look at your Youtube and it looks great. Youtubers make up a good part of BuyMeACoffee, and it's good to have you on board - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6qPlHUpuWIQ
Thanks for the feedback. It is a neat idea. I'll bring this up in our next brainstorming session. BTW the multiplier buttons are working quite well for BMC; a vast majority of the donations are three coffees or more.
Also, there's an option to choose the 'per coffee amount' between $3, $4 or $5. Although I don't think that's what you're looking for here.
Thanks again for bringing this to our attention. Cheers!
My feedback:
I've been using paypal.me, and the ability to change the donation at the URL has been incredibly helpful towards getting patrons to choose an amount that suits them. I suggest $X but they are free to change, and it's super easy. Often patrons up the number and I get more donations. I'm not convinced the multiplier buttons do the same thing.
Further that URL bit allows me to suggest different donation amounts to different patrons. If I offer someone tech support I might sent a link with /10 or /20 at the end, others who I just answer a quick question might get a /2 at the end. It allows me to suggest amounts on the fly based on our relationship.
But on BMC, I see that I have to pre-guess a donation amount and run the risk of alienating donor with an amount that's too high (they don't donate), or leaving money on the table by choosing too low. I've definitely had donors give more than 5X my suggestion.
Giving the donor agency in selecting an amount may help in gaining more overall donation.