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What do you think about tip jars on websites?

September 5, 2008 by John Dilbeck
Filed under: Opinions 

Last month, one of my friends who is a very active Squidoo lensmaster asked me if I had a tip jar on any of my sites. She wanted to thank me for the help I’ve been providing and wanted to send some business my way.

The problem was, she wasn’t ready to be a customer for the products I promote as an affiliate marketer and wanted a more direct way to show her appreciation.

I told her that wasn’t necessary and that I enjoyed offering whatever help and ideas that I can.

About two weeks ago, more or less, someone else I’ve known for awhile asked me the same question.

I’m still surprised and really didn’t know how to respond.

I like a few extra dollars as much as anyone, but I’m unsure about tip jars on websites.

What do you think?

Is this an easy and valid way to show appreciation, or does it look like begging?

As a test, I’ve added two ways to tip me if you find what I have to say of any value.

If you look in the right column, you’ll see a PayPal Donate button. If you click that link, you can leave me a tip using your credit card or money in your PayPal account. I want to ask, if you do leave a tip, that you keep it under $10,000. (grin)

Of course, you’re under no obligation or even expectation to leave a tip. It’s entirely up to you.

Below the PayPal Donate button, you’ll see something that says, “Are you in my TOPSPOTS?”

This is another way to leave a tip, and it also uses PayPal to process the transfers.

But, this time, you get something more in exchange, a link to the URL of your choice.

Now, before you reach for your mouse, I will not accept links to sites that promote violence, gambling, porn, hatred, bigotry, or anything similar. So, save your time and mine. Each link will be moderated before it goes live, and I’m telling you now that I won’t approve those links.

On the other hand, if you link to a G or PG rated site that is acceptable, I’d be happy to accept your donation and add a link to your site. Each link costs $5 and a new link goes to the top of the list.

Whenever someone else leaves a tip and a link, it will go to the top of the list and push the other links down one spot. There is room for 10 links, so if there is ever an 11th link submitted, the site that was in the #10 spot will fall off the list.

This is a relatively new blog, so the chances are pretty good that your link will be presented for some time before it drops off the bottom. In fact, if nobody buys link #11, your URL will remain indefinitely.

I think that’s a pretty good deal.

However, unlike other links on this site, since this is essentially a paid link, it will have a nofollow tag that tells Google and other search engines not to follow the link and index the site it finds. This is Google’s rule, not mine, and the folks at ScratchBack.com, who created the widget, follow Google’s rules.

On the other hand, you can get live links that are followed by the search engine spiders if you leave quality comments on any of the posts here, and that’s free.

Your comment must add value to the discussion to be approved. If you just say, “I agree,” or “good post,” or anything similar, I’m just going to delete it.

While I have little tolerance for such self-serving comments, I welcome your experiences, opinions, and ideas. Whether you agree or disagree, or maybe even if you don’t have a considered opinion, I’m looking forward to discussing it with you.

But, if you want a link to your site in a visible part of every page on this blog, you’re welcome to leave a tip and a link. I’ve done it, myself, on a couple of other sites I like.

Still, however, I’m not sure about all of this.

What do you think about tip jars and TopSpots lists? As a reader, do you really want to buy a webmaster, blogger, or lensmaster a beer, coffee, or lunch?

Is this an easy and valid way to show your appreciation, or does it look a little crass?

While we’re on the topic, what’s your opinion of tip jars, in general. Have you seen them proliferating both online and offline? I don’t get out much, but I’ve read some complaints on other sites and it seems that more and more people and businesses have their hand out now, waiting for you to drop your hard-earned cash.

Have you experienced this?

I’m looking forward to hearing your opinion on this.

Act on your dream!

JD

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12 Comments on What do you think about tip jars on websites?

  1. Joan Adams on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 10:34 pm

    2. I have never used a tip jar, but am not offended by them. And I like your $5 listing idea. That’s affordable and many people would do that without much hesitation.

    I have always liked the one Joe Vitale uses –
    http://blog.mrfire.com, he says
    If you like the free articles on this blog, let Joe know by buying him his all-time favorite gift – an Amazon gift certificate.
    and then he gives his e-mail address. I think that is pretty harmless.

    So far, I have not had the courage to try that – and I often wonder how many he actually receives.

    Joan Adamss last blog post..Categorized my Lensography

  2. Mitch on Fri, 5th Sep 2008 11:15 pm

    3. I think it’s okay, because sometimes people feel they’ve received more than their money’s worth if it’s free advice, and allowing them to contribute isn’t such a bad thing. I’m thinking about adding it to my blog also at some point; we’ll see.

  3. John Dilbeck on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 1:58 am

    4. Hi Joan,

    Thanks for your comment. It’s always good to hear from you.

    I’ve never really paid attention to tip jars on other people’s sites, but it feels different when I add it to mine.

    I looked at Joe Vitale’s blog and agree with you. He asks for Amazon.com gift certificates, but that would be the last thing I need. I’d have to find somewhere to put new books. All my bookcases are full and I have several stacks of books I haven’t had time to read!

    Books may be my biggest addiction, right behind coffee.

    I’m still not sure about this whole asking for tips idea, but I’m going to let it run a few months to see how it works.

    I also appreciate your comments on the discussion I started on our Squidoo Marketing community:

    What do you think about tip jars on websites?

    Thanks for visiting, Joan.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  4. John Dilbeck on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 2:09 am

    5. Hi Mitch,

    Thanks for the comment!

    You bring up a good point. I know I’ve found very useful information on a variety of sites that have helped me build my business.

    When I get something valuable for free, I sometimes want to return the favor, and in several cases I’ve bought ads on a site that I might not otherwise have done so.

    Now that I’m paying attention to tip jars, I’m finding a lot that I never noticed before.

    Let us know if you add one to your blog(s). I know I’d like to know how it works for you.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

    PS. Did you get your computer back? Is it working right?

  5. Joan Adams on Sun, 7th Sep 2008 6:38 am

    6. John – one more note about those books on Amazon. remember — almost anything you need or want can be purchased from Amazon. From electronics to clothing to gifts and toys. so, a “book certificate” just adds to what I am sure is a very large credit on Amazon for Joe.

    Joan Adamss last blog post..Categorized my Lensography

  6. John Dilbeck on Mon, 8th Sep 2008 7:14 am

    7. Thanks for the reminder, Joan.

    I’ve been buying from Amazon.com since shortly after they opened, and the only things I’ve ever bought were books, CDs, and DVDs. By far, the most items that I’ve purchased were books.

    (No, wait a second, I bought a TV, too.)

    I forgot about all the other things that are offered and purchased there.

    You made a really good point about the large credit that Joe may have and I want to thank you for helping me think outside the box.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  7. Marianne on Sun, 5th Oct 2008 6:44 am

    8. It’s the same principle as the “Buy me a Beer” on the warriors forum and some of the Blogs I see. If you help people and they would like to show their appreciation…why not?

    Mariannes last blog post..Spider Web Marketing Just Got BETTER

  8. John Dilbeck on Sun, 5th Oct 2008 3:36 pm

    9. Hi Marianne,

    Welcome!

    I don’t know. There’s still something that bothers me about a tip jar on this blog.

    Maybe because I’ve never worked in a job where tips were part of the pay.

    I don’t mind giving tips, but it feels strange asking for them.

    At the same time, I can see your point. It doesn’t bother me when I see tip jars or donate buttons on other sites, and I’ve even left tips when I thought the value of what I learned or the service I received was worth paying for.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  9. Pat on Mon, 27th Oct 2008 5:58 am

    10. JD, I don’t see a tip jar as asking for money. The beauty of the tip jar is that it just sits there! If a person wants to show appreciation, the jar offers a way to do so without fanfare! Just making it convenient.

    I’ve been receiving a newsletter for years that is always filled with really good totally free information. He says if you find this information helpful, buy me a beer. Sometimes a tip is profitable for me. I’m more than happy to share my profit by buying a beer.

    There are several websites with tools that are very useful. I would hate to see these tools go away. When I use the tools, I leave a tip to tell the webmasters I appreciate their help.

    I like tip jars! Especially if they are humorous!

    As for Amazon gift certificates…
    I’ve been buying some of my groceries from Amazon. Orders over $25 get free shipping. They carry a lot of the organic non-parishable foods that I like sometimes at lower prices than my local store.

    Pats last blog post..T’ai Chi For Athletes

  10. John Dilbeck on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 3:33 am

    11. Hi Pat,

    I’m sorry, but I didn’t see your comment until just now. I’ve really been tied up on another project for the last two or three weeks.

    I never thought of buying groceries from Amazon.com. I’m sure they offer many things I’m not aware of. You know how it is when old geezers can’t keep up with a changing world, and I’m feeling more like an old geezer every day.

    I still don’t feel comfortable about tip jars, but I’m going to leave the PayPal donate button on this blog. There haven’t been any donations, but – then again – I haven’t been very helpful here lately.

    I do leave tips now and then on sites I find really helpful.

    For example, I tip thefluffanutta on his SquidUtils.com site when I think about it. He provides an outstanding service, and leaving a tip to help him cover his costs and maybe make a bit of profit is an easy thing to do.

    Thanks for your comment, Pat. I didn’t mean to ignore you.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

  11. Tip Jars Part Two | 21st Century Affiliate Marketing on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 3:54 am

    12. [...] been doing a lot of thinking about tip jars since I wrote What do you think about tip jars on websites? back in [...]

  12. John Dilbeck on Sun, 16th Nov 2008 3:56 am

    13. I have removed the TopSpots links from this blog.

    You can read more about it at Tip Jars Part Two.

    Act on your dream!

    JD

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