Monetizing your blog – ask for cup of coffee?

Okay, things are bad all around the world. The economic downturns affect all of us in some way.  But when did bloggers start holding out the empty coffee cup?

Just take a look and you see the creative 'buy me a latte' signs in all types of blogs --- page rank (PR) is not a factor, nor is blog age.  Not only do you see the 'plea' on the sidebar, but sometimes on the Menu or after each post!  Are the rest of us missing out on an opportunity to monetize our blogs? Are we willing to 'stoop and scoop' up the donations?

Here's a sample of what you find when you keep your eyes open:

Latte Time at wordpressguru.eu

Pitch: "I used to be a developer: a device that converts coffee into code. Nowadays, I convert coffee into blog posts, WordPress plugins and websites. The more coffee I get, the more productive I get. My favorite coffee shop is Java Lounge in Douglas, and if you want to treat me to a latte, just click here."

PR1;  9 mos. old, WP  tips, hosts other ads, Paypal £2.79GBP each

Tip for a Link at Asktheblogger.com

PR4;  2yrs old, blogging tips, hosts other ads, Paypal $4 each

Pitch: "Hey, if you found the answers on AsktheBlogger.com helpful, perhaps you’d tip the blogger (me) enough to buy one of those yummy lattes I loves so much? In return, I’ll add a link to your website or blog below for a month or more, just to say thanks!"

This site has a widget to add your link- called the TopSpots list.  Their tag line is "A Fancy-Schmancy Tip Jar For Your Blog - Fun & Easy"

There's also a feature to insert your ad if someone clicks the widget to get their own list, offering a discount and information on your own e-book, etc.

Soy Chai for AskDaveTaylor?

PR2;  6yrs old, technical tips, hosts other ads, Google checkout,  $4.50 each, or $25 gift card.

Pitch: "If you find yourself coming to our site with some frequency, if you are getting more out of your computers, cellphones, PSPs, iPods and other gadgets thanks to our assistance, why not say thank you in that inimitably capitalistic way of sending a few doubloons our way?" --- Dave adds a link on the page in return for your generosity.

Concluding Observations

- Blogs using this device seem to be in the blogging tips or resources niche where the blogger's goal is to help others. This type of blog tends to have few if any ads. So it's sort of natural to show appreciation by leaving more than a comment.  The reader may see this as a small price to pay to keep their guy or gal blogging.

- It may be a compromise where the reader sees fewer annoying ads and even gets a text link as appreciation from the blog owner. However, the donation amount may be a bit higher than a regular text ad on most blogs.

- Why ask for a coffee or beer and not just money? Most people don't respond to "If you would like to support my work, please donate ...  some desired amount of money ... ."

"asking people to donate money by giving them a specific reason increases donations by 200%!" according to blogclout.com, where you can download the WordPress plugin [YES, there is a plugin for everything!]

Here's the suggested pitch: "If you liked this post, buy me a beer. (Suggested: $3 a beer or $7.5 for a pitcher)". If you are a teen blogger, (and your parents read your blog) don't forget to replace beer with coffee!

Where there's a WP plugin, there's bound to be a Blogger Hack.  This one is at Bloganol and explains how to add a link below each post.

So if you want to experiment, pick your poison (rootbeer, latte or beer) and go for it. Be sure to let us know if it works for you!