Blog Donation Tool: ChipIn
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A new donation tool has hit the net. Its called ChipIn and it has some really nifty features:
1. Its Free to use.
2. It works on all blogging platforms - not just WordPress.
3. It has a cool visual interface: a scale that shows how much money has been collected.
How Buy Me a Beer plugin is better:
1. It shows up under all blog posts - even in the RSS feed. Not just in the sidebar.
2. Its free to use too. But only works in WordPress.
3. Buying you a beer is “easy” for people to do. People don’t feel like they are “donating” money when they buy you a beer.
Action Summary:
- Go check ChipIn out - especially if you have fixed donation goals. Like asking for donations to pay for your hosting.
(Picture cropped from a screenshot of ChipIn homepage.)
(It’s funny how a couple of people have sent me taunting emails to let me know about ChipIn.A A new donation tool doesn’t bother me just because I have developed a donation plugin too.A I try to do what is best for you.A If something better comes along, I’ll tell you about it gladly.A Even if its a competing product.)
If you liked this post, buy me a beer. (Suggested: $3 a beer or $7.5 for a pitcher)Spread the word:
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I’ve seen the chipin widget floating around for past few days, it looks nice, but I have to say I still like the buy me a beer better
Posted 09 Jul 2007 #
I have to agree the buy me a beer plugin or rather for me the buy me a expresso plugin is a far better alternative. I figure that if what I write has any value to my audience that they might just pay the small amount in exchange for my effort. Now while this has not happened yet, I expect it might do so in the future.
It is a good idea to create a plugin in order to create backlinks to your website. I have thought of doing the same but with a ebook or course. I am not sure of how effective that might be but I am willing experiment to find out.
Thanks for the hard work and please keep it up. It is appreciated!
Posted 10 Jul 2007 #
Though ChipIn is a really great tool, I still think the idea behind your plugin is a better one. Giving readers a specific thing they can donate for usually results in more donations.
Posted 10 Jul 2007 #
Thanks guys for all the encouragement!
Richard: Creating a goodie is a very very effective way of getting others to link to your blog. After creating the goodie, make sure you allocate some time to promote the goodie too. You’ll need to spend at least a couple of hours contacting bloggers and publishers to check your goodie out - if you don’t already have a prior relationship with them.
Posted 10 Jul 2007 #
Great idea. Have you tried Scratchback also? I’m curious as to how much money you’ve made off of ChipIn. Would you be willing to tell us how much money you made?
Posted 14 Apr 2008 #