Maybe you could apply it to comments, or maybe just to diary posts. The latter seems to make a little more sense, especially since currently there’s no way to commend a really good diary post except to “recommend” it.
If users linked up to PayPal, they could commend a diary with a donation almost as easily as giving it a rating – just a few clicks.
The positives would be: People take real pride in their posts, as they see others making a donation to commend their writing. BMG has a new renevue stream.
And negatives: It could turn into a weird kind of competition; though theoretically it’s no different than just getting ratings. It could be an invasion of privacy concern; so BMG probably wouldn’t want to display who made a donation. People could accuse BMG of selling out; but hey, it’s optional, no one has to give.
All in all, it just might be a fun option for people to support a really great post and BMG at the same time.
What do people think?
We’re always looking for ways to improve the BMG experience and especially to improve the ratings and community aspects of the site. At the moment, BMG is making a tiny profit (on the order of a few cases of beer) each month, after paying for expenses. Sadly, from my point of view, but no doubt virtuously, from the point of the Blogosophere Gods, we are saving any extra money to invest in improvements to the site, rather than in beer. We put every penny of revenue earned at BMG into the site.
The site’s paypal account is at my BMG email address: david AT bluemassgroup DOT com. Donations would be cheerfully accepted! Note: donations are not tax deductible!
Could we donate to Manny’s salary? That guy needs a raise, he’s barely getting by on the $20 million a year.
Speaking of beer, how about BMG promoting a July predictions contest for Dem primary?
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Anyone who wants posts on:
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a. Dem primary winner, Gov, including % for each
b. Dem primary winner, LG, including % for each
c. Is Mihos still in race when Dems vote: yes/no
d. How much does each candidate spend
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Bragging rights (including some sort of special BMG title….Lord? Queen? BMOBMG?) and case of beer to winner.
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Who will it be? Cos? Peter Porcupine? Charley on MTA? EB3?
Prize is … what? Home page link to winner’s posts page, with a special “Massachusetts Political Genius” graphic?
For most, the beer will be the incentive, though I suspect a few will salivate over the special home page citation…..