SoCS- Would You Charge?

Your Friday prompt for Stream of Consciousness Saturday is “contains ‘pat.’” Find a word that contains “pat” or use the word “pat” as your prompt. Use it any way you’d like. Have fun!

I’ve noticed in all my days of writing, that on some platforms, some writers use Patreon to earn money for their writing.

I have never, because somehow that feels kind of smarmy. Here we are, pouring out souls out on the paper to earn your-our dear readers- trust. Yes, its worth something, maybe respect? Prestige at some point? I don’t know, but asking someone to donate money to the cause just doesn’t sit right with me.

However, I don’t feel that way about a company paying me to write an article for them. That’s business. Does that make sense??

I’ve also written pieces for magazines and only received exposure and a copy or a subscription to said magazine. That’s also fine with me. The more eyes on my work the better!

How do you all feel about the concept of Patreon? Is it business or shameless self promotion?

PS: I once installed a button called “Buy Me a Coffee” or thought I did, but I mustn’t have done it right because nothing ever came of it. And that’s ok with me.

Final thoughts: I’m not trying to ruffle any feathers here, simply wanting an honest opinion. I mean, this is stream of consciousness, right? Kind of like thinking aloud.

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2 responses to “SoCS- Would You Charge?”

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  1. trE Avatar
    trE

    It just depends. Most people are actually freelancers and write for a living. So, their Patreon or paid Substack accounts, or even Paywalled Medium reads are how they earn an actual living. Writing is a J O B. I used to be extremely against monetary work on Medium or paywalled writing, but I grew to understand why it is necessary. I even began putting some of my work behind the paywall, but I left some other pieces free for readers to enjoy without having to pay to read them. I do that now on Substack. The first two posts I have are free for all. The next one though, readers will be able to read most of it, then towards the end, in order to read the rest, you will need to be a paid subscriber.

    During this economy, your talents have to be your money makers as well. If it is your intention to write and not get paid for it, then that’s beautiful. But others are seeking to maintain a living and if the writing is worth it and I can afford it, I’ll become a paid subscriber.

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  2. Dan Antion Avatar
    Dan Antion

    I guess Patreon works, depending on what you’re publishing. I know a few people who have accounts, but I haven’t visited. I don’t have any ill feelings about it, but honestly, in any given week, I can’t read more than half of the blogs I subscribe to.

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