Is asking for donations a viable business model?

Question

I was wondering if sites such as buymeacoffee, ko-fi, etc. can provide any income for developers and writers who publish their work for free?In your experience, what's the best way to ask for donations/sponsorships, etc.?I like what I do for free, but a little income on the side would be nice.

EddieDante · Accepted Answer

I don't ask for donations. Even if the people reading my writing were inclined to donate, I doubt they'd donate enough to make the tax-related hassles worthwhile. So, rather than request donations I took advice from people who wanted to discourage me by saying, "Don't quit your day job."I've still got mine. I write under a pseudonym. I don't advertise or market. I get to express myself, it doesn't cost that much, and I'm not beholden to what few readers I might have because they aren't paying me to put up with their bullshit.

pkrotich · Answer

Depends on the service or product you&rsquo;re providing. Writers / content producers for example can make some income via subscription (donation) / patron. But the model breaks down when it&rsquo;s a product that might require support.Had to stop taking donations for a fairly popular open source project because someone would donate $10 and expect priority support or worse demand features.

Minor49er · Answer

What is the project that you're trying to monetize?