I need more honest feedback
June 10, 2007 by kishner
This post is about this blog, not astrology, so only read further if you are interested in such meta issues.
I just found out today that this blog is no longer featured in Astrology News Top Ten Sources because readers of that feed were complaining about my requests for donations. I accept the consequences for my actions, and realize that my discussion of financial issues may be off-putting for some readers, or that — at the very least — readers looking at feed aggregates do not want to be exposed to anything off-topic.
I am not going to hide the fact that I have aspirations to one day earn an income from blogging, even though I recognize that the level of astrology discussed on these pages is usually not tailored towards those who gravitate towards Sun sign horoscopes — a much more lucrative enterprise, however glutted the field.
I also recognize that discussing blog income on an astrology blog may not be socially acceptable. I read many blogs about professional blogging, and of course, many of those bloggers do just that to share how they succeed in making money online.
My stubborn Aquarius Moon in my Sixth House of Work and Daily Routine wants me to do things my way. I feel pretty good about the audience that this blog has cultivated since I started it in November of last year. It has become an important part of my life, and I have made it a priority to blog every weekday to build its momentum. I do not want to be shy about asking for support, even though my appeals may occasionally leave some readers with a bad taste in their mouths.
There is still a taboo about earning money through spiritual or healing work. I won’t expound on this topic except to say that everyone deserves to earn a living doing what they are “called” to do. By virtue of answering readers’ relationship questions on this blog, I am providing a service. I do not mind, as my answers provide content to the blog. Content brings traffic, traffic brings income. (I also like being of service, being a Pisces with Virgo Rising.) Yet, as the saying goes about sex, “Why buy the cow, when you can get the milk for free?” I am essentially offering free mini-readings, with hopes for the following results: that readers will schedule consultations with me, and that those readers who’ve had their questions answered will offer a donation out of gratitude. However, if they don’t, they don’t. I get enough satisfaction out of blogging that I don’t stew in resentment. When I do feel that I am giving more than I am receiving, I ask for donations.
So if you want to vent about my occasional discussions about money, you are welcome to share below in the comments section. No hard feelings. And if you have any feedback regarding how to ask for financial support without alienating too many readers, I will be happy to hear from you.
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Here’s some honest feedback for you:
When I first read the blog entry asking for donations, I was shocked at the nerve of it and turned off. Not only did I not want to give a donation, but I almost stopped visiting the blog altogether.
What changed my mind was reading your advice to someone that day (I can’t remember which question it was). After reading your answer, I figured that since you do provide a service by answering our questions (albeit, in a limited way), you deserve our support. But outright asking for a donation to do something that you essentially volunteered to do was a lot tacky.
I started an astrology mailing list awhile back and it takes time for me to manage all of the messages, but I do it because I love it and I wanted to provide an alternative place for people to feel comfortable discussing a topic they’re passionate about (as opposed to the very constricted mailing list we were previously members of). Unlike you, I don’t aspire to make money from a blog (although it’s a nice idea come to think of it!), so it’s no big deal to me.
Rather than depending on donations from the people who visit your blog, concentrate on building up the traffic and then showing the numbers to advertisers (that you feel good about endorsing, of course).
Economic times are hard for everyone. I understand this, but that means that it’s hard for us, too. I get tired of constantly being asked for spare change going in and out of my favorite stores, and that’s what your plea for a donation reminded me of. I used to give donations freely, but now I’m much more selective because I work hard for my money.
That being said, I’m all for exchanges. Since you’re exchanging your time and expertise, it would be nice for you to receive a donation. Just don’t ask for one.
I suggest you simply make your “support this blog” link very prominent so that anyone who wants to provide a donation can find it. Sometimes, less is more.
I think its fine to be rewarded for your efforts. People benefit from your blog in some way. I do by learning a little bit about astrology.
I do agree with blah blah that you should have a donation button , I think that encourages people to donate.
I dont agree that it is tacky though. Sometimes people have a hard time asking for money they feel is deserved for a service. I think it is great when people do stand up for what they believe in, whether others do or not.
Do what feels right.
Hi I mostly lurk and love your blog. Most of it is way too complex for me since I have not read up on astrology as much as I would like to because of my study schedule at college. I do feel guilty whenever I see a thread about donating because I’m a broke currently unemployed student. BUT the reason I feel guilty is because I do believe you provide a service worthy of donations.
I like the aforementioned recommendation of just posting a donate link very prominently though. That way it will always be visible so we can donate when we can without upsetting those who feel uncomfortable when asked directly to donate.
Thanks for what you do.
Thanks for your comments so far. I certainly don’t want to induce guilt — I just want to be compensated for my efforts. But as BlahBlah writes, I have been asking for donations for content that I have volunteered. Perhaps I will display an obvious PayPal donate button and stop the posts about money. Of course, the tried-and-true method among most bloggers has been to just get a lot of traffic and appropriate advertisers, and that is an uphill battle. (What isn’t?) It seems easier to just ask for support from core readers.
Someone emailed me privately and suggested I have a subscriber-only section, as Eric Francis does. That’s something to ponder, although I’m not sure what exclusive content I would offer.
I don’t have a problem with you charging for your services. You’re not just providing help, you’re also providing entertainment and a forum in which to discuss astrology and other personal problems. I don’t think it’s tacky to ask for money, in this instance; I think it’s tacky when people invite me to their birthday parties at expensive restaurants and bars and I end up ordering fries bc that’s all I can afford and other people end up ordering filet mignon and then the bill gets divvied up equally. Now THAT’S tacky and no one seems to complain about that. But that’s not the issue.
Imo, you need to eat and I don’t have a problem with that. Eventually a lot of blogs will charge bc writers need to eat too and why shouldn’t they earn a living doing what they love and what they’re best at?
Hi Jeff. Proser here.:-)
I just wanted you to know it didn’t bother me that you put out there your request/wish for a little more financial remuneration.
I have a feeling most folks here don’t mind, either.
If I was suprised, or felt awkward, it is my own conflict with money, and I’m still unused to people stating their finanicial requests ouright.
I myself had always believed too, that charging for spiritual guidance was taboo–(I’ve read tarot since I was 17, and done what is now called ‘intutive readings’, for almost as long).
However, two points–firstly, I don’t know that astrology is the same exactly as spiritual guidance –it can entail that too,of course,but is not primarily so.
Also in your case, psychological knowledge is imparted, as well.
jeffrey,you studied in- depth astrology, and psychology and do deserve to feel you’re getting what you need too, out of all this.
Second point–, when I was in my 40s, I started to think differently about the idea of being paid for spiritual/psychic readings.
A good friend of mine, an older woman and Seer(we’re both in our 50s now) who has more training than I, and is paid for her work as a counseling Seer,changed my mind about it all–and mostly by her honest, sincere, and generous way of life, and giving sessions–not simply her opinion..
Now,for me,money still seems to be a conflict.
But I no longer have the strong opinion I did have about “charging”.:-)
It just may not be possible for me to remove *my* block. LOL
But,again–*you* are providing some spiritual, some psychological and a lot of *astrological* information here.
Astrology as I learned it, is both a science and an art.
I thought it was rather honest of you to ask out right, if folks would donate something.
You never said it was a must.
I’m trying to think, though, of a even better way to make the request though..
I know an astrologer, Bill Herbst, who simply cites on his website that he would appreciate donations for his newsletter, and various information.
It’s not a blog, but I think it’s a similar case in point.
I agree basically, too with what blahblah said about generating traffic, and getting more advertisers.(I just saw it this second).:-)
This is long–so enough for now.
Jeffrey, heres another suggestion that was playing around the edges of my consciousness-
and I hope you don’t mind my saying this.
In all matters–that is- spirituality,business, relationships, politics etc.–whether we ask or demand a certain thing it seems it is when we honestly believe what we say that we’re treated as we would like.
You know, if I *know* I won’t accept being treated poorly by another person, I’ll get away from it, and/or he/she will stop the abuse.
If my husband raises his prices
in business, people will pay him accordingly, if he’s straightforward and believes in himself.
I really believe that.
I also like your idea of the larger paypal button, and donation suggestion, without anything else.
Whatever you truly believe is right, I think you’ll get it back.
@Eme Kah:
“I think it’s tacky when people invite me to their birthday parties at expensive restaurants and bars and I end up ordering fries bc that’s all I can afford and other people end up ordering filet mignon and then the bill gets divvied up equally. Now THAT’S tacky and no one seems to complain about that. But that’s not the issue.”
LOL This happened to me twice last month and I tackily pulled out calculator keychain to tackily calculate my total and then I tackily gave the money keeper my amount and let the rest figure the bill out amongst themselves.
“Eventually a lot of blogs will charge bc writers need to eat too and why shouldn’t they earn a living doing what they love and what they’re best at?”
This is assuming that the blogger doesn’t have a day job to support him/herself and his/her family…
@ Jeff:
“Someone emailed me privately and suggested I have a subscriber-only section, as Eric Francis does. That’s something to ponder, although I’m not sure what exclusive content I would offer.”
This is an interesting idea! Maybe non-paying subscribers can get access to your blog entries and comments section, while paying subscribers can get the bonus of in-depth, researched answers to their questions. In other words, non-paying subscribers can still see your answers, but they just don’t get their own charts analyzed. This would mean you are limiting your time spent providing customized astrological insight specifically to those who are generating income for you.
Win/win for everyone!
“This is assuming that the blogger doesn’t have a day job to support him/herself and his/her family…”
No. A lot of writers/bloggers do have day jobs that are emotionally and spiritually draining. They might pay their bills but it still takes away from them. I’m saying, why shouldn’t people be self-supporting doing what they are good at and love to do, especially if that helps others? I think everyone should, not just bloggers/writers.
I don’t disagree with your point that it would be NICE to support oneself doing what one loves/is good at doing. However, blogging is a voluntary thing that, if the blogger is lucky, will turn a profit. In most cases, no one is “hiring” a person to blog. It’s like a gratuity: you don’t get one just because, you get one because someone appreciates the service.
Scorp said: “Sometimes people have a hard time asking for money they feel is deserved for a service. I think it is great when people do stand up for what they believe in, whether others do or not.
Do what feels right”.
Proserpine:
Very good point Scorp.