Donation Fatigue

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Does anyone else get sick of the constant pressure to donate to this site?

It seems like at least once a month we are faced with a plea for more people to step forward to contribute, or for the same people to contribute more.

These pleas are usually accompanied by a sad recital of need due to ongoing expense or emergencies.

It’s tedious.

The only thing that would be more tedious would be to have to ask for these donations.

Obviously, Erin asks because she needs the money. Obviously, asking works -- because the site continues to fiscally limp along.

Just looking at this site it’s plain to see that Erin is trying a myriad of avenues to generate revenue. It’s also plain to see that a tremendous number of people read stories on BC. A large number of people write stories for BC.

Unfortunately, only a few are able to donate -- or choose to donate.

If just a few more who are able to donate would step forward, Erin wouldn’t have to ask so often, which would be nice for her – and us.

Jill

Comments

This site is a lifeline to many. Please give!

I bit the bullet and signed up for a monthly donation on Paetron. For me it's simply another monthly bill that's automatically paid. Once signed up it's no pain or bother. Try it and see!

Boys will be girls... if they're lucky!

Jennifer Sue

Thanks, hon

erin's picture

Patreon is pretty painless to administer, too. And right now, I am posting chapter of Bian there a week ahead of when they post here. :) I'm considering doing the same with Mars.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Donations

Xtrim's picture

Hi Erin,
Although not much I've been contributing through the one time gift link. Instead of doing that I'll do the recurrent hopefully that will help better with budgeting; is there a difference between the Patreon and the recurrent gift. Which one helps you the most?
Hugs

Xtrim

They're about equal

erin's picture

The difference is probably pennies. But doing it through Patreon gets you access to some advance posts of my stories. :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Donations

I attempted a years subscription but I think it failed.

Maybe some stats for motivation?

It would be interesting if Erin could post some stats, maybe monthly for the preceding month's contributions. No names of donors, just stats.
Number of donations for the month
Average $ amount per donation
Largest single donation

Then each month we (the users of the site) could challenge ourselves to improve those numbers.
More individual donations
Higher average amount
Can anyone beat the previous month's max?

Just a thought.

Kris

{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}

I'll try

erin's picture

We got 125 gifts during calendar month of March totaling $5,423, some of which carried over to April's pledges. The largest single donation was $500 but that same person gave more than once. The average gift was about $44.

I don't want to do this every month because I don't think it is that useful or accurate but if people want me to, I will.

Hugs,
Erin

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Maybe we could pull a FaceBook

and buy the info? $50 gets the info or something? Just an idea
Sorry it's all I got right now, working 2-4 hours a day really bites :( But, at least I still have my legs (and my furbabies)...

Thanks, Erin. I'm grateful

Thanks, Erin. I'm grateful that you got 125 gifts. Since some people gave more than once, that is maybe only a hundred or so individuals supporting the site during March. Given the large community of readers, that''s a bit sad.

I give a very little each month through Patreon, and an occasional additional small contribution. I'll try to do more.

To everyone out there: We all can't be as wonderfully generous as that $500 donor, but every bit helps, even the $5 here and there!

Kris

{I leave a trail of Kudos as I browse the site. Be careful where you step!}

I am neither unable nore do not choose to donate.

Monique S's picture

But
I have rather strong principles. I donated my first book published here to help finance the site. I just don't like Amazon, in actual fact, since I first read one of their publishing contracts in 2013 I absolutely loathe them.

I have a special French card. Virtualis. I can use it on ebay and almost any other internet site, but it doesn't work here. Why? I have no idea.

I am sorry to say this, Erin, Piper, but may be you've bet on the wrong horse.

Still, lots of love and some hope for a solution,
Monique.

Monique S

We use Paypal and Authorize.net

erin's picture

The two biggest payment acceptors in the US. Not sure why they don't work with Virtualis.

But not everyone can give, it's okay.

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

I regularly donate

I am sadly among the handful who do.

That said, I support the idea of projecting forward say 2 weeks ahead so donors can have time to set aside money.

Responding to the emergency button being pressed is always fatiguing, especially when it is due to ‘wups, missed a bill’.

I of course appreciate what the crew does on a relatively light budget.

Good thought

erin's picture

Thanks for the gifts and I will be the first to admit that none of us are that good at budgeting. Then again, if we were, would we still be doing this after 19 years? :)

Hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

thanks

thanks angela. I donate at least 25.00 a month , sometimes 50.00 because I can. I know but even 5.00 can help. I know times are tough for a lot of you, but you need to think what if big closet wasn't here. this is the best site, I know of for transgender stories. I know of. just give what you can, please.
robert

001.JPG

Thanks, hon

erin's picture

And hugs,
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.

Turnips???

Ohhhhhh. Turn-ups. We turn up when needed. Haha.

Jill

Angela Rasch (Jill M I)

Sorry

I currently have no source of income right now otherwise I would donate.

hugs :)
Michelle SidheElf Amaianna

Hugs

erin's picture

Understood.

:)
Erin

= Give everyone the benefit of the doubt because certainty is a fragile thing that can be shattered by one overlooked fact.