I want to explain this to you. I didn’t intend to bring it up at all, but it seems that there’s some concerns out there that I should address.
About a week ago I put a “donate” link on my site. I tucked it away on the “contact” page, and I didn’t advertise or promote it. A lot of blogs have these kinds of links, but I rejected the idea for a year before I finally decided to put one up.
But in the last week, I’ve received some messages from loyal readers who feel offended, or used, or manipulated, or something, by this new addition to my blog.
It obviously wasn’t my intention to manipulate anyone, so here’s the deal:
I get sizable traffic on my blog. There are a lot of things I can do to monetize that traffic, but, as it stands, I only have two small ads per page. Yes, I make money from the ads. Yes, I want to make money from this site. I put a lot of time into it and I couldn’t possibly justify the time expense if I wasn’t bringing in an income to help support my family. Coming up very soon I’ll be putting even more time into it, not to mention incurring some pretty hefty expenses as I expand and grow the operation, but I can’t get into that right now.
In any case, I’m faced with the quandary of how to best convert traffic into income. I could put a bunch of additional ads on my page. I could come up with some kind of “premium subscription fee” ploy. I could strike deals with the businesses that reach out asking me to write a little testimonial about their product in exchange for cash. I could start doing mailing lists. I could do a whole host of other things. But I don’t want to riddle my website with tons of ads, I refuse to ever charge for content in any way whatsoever, and I won’t compromise my credibility by doing write-ups for products I don’t actually use or care about.
So, I thought, I’ll just put this “donate” option on here, forgo most of the other “monetization strategies,” and let people contribute a little bit if they want to. If they don’t — cool. I won’t hit anyone over the head with it, but I’ll have the avenue open and off to the side.
That’s the thought process. In my mind, this was a more tasteful and honest strategy than any of the others I could think up. I feel a little strange even laying this out for you, but I want to be honest with you guys. If enough people for some reason feel alienated by the PayPal link, I’ll take it down.
Thanks for reading. This is the last time I’ll bring this up.
The Matt Walsh Blog 
Leave it. I wish I could have contributed more. If I could pay you in cupcakes I would. Keep up the good work sir, your wit has gotten me through many middle of the night feedings.
I agree…Leave it up…..The only thing I could contribute is a great lasagna…..BUT…I live in Canada…so that won’t work…..Wait till I win that big lottery, tho’….LOL
I love your blog…don’t always agree with you….But you always give me lots to think about!!
Had to search for it so can’t see how it’s offending anyone. It’s easy to use too! I really enjoy your insights. Keep it up and thanks!
First time commenting here, but I agree with the sentiment expressed by most. It’s truly remarkable that anyone could be upset with a voluntary donation button, but I’ve learned that with the internet there’s no telling what people will be offended by.
Oh, I am ashamed that I had not even seen the donate link. I completely understand that you need to be “compensated” for the time and energy you expend on this blog. You do obviously put a lot of thought and work into writing these posts. As a fellow blogger (for personal reasons and not for money yet), I know how hard it can be. I thank you for continuing to share your ideas with us, and I hope that you can continue to do so while supporting your family! Keep the donate button, advertise if you need to, etc. I’ll still keep reading if you keep writing like you do!
Re: I thank you for continuing to share your ideas with us, and I hope that you can continue to do so while supporting your family! Keep the donate button, advertise if you need to, etc. I’ll still keep reading if you keep writing like you do!
Perfectly said! Here here!!!
Heaven forbid you support your family!! You are awesome Matt. I love your blogs. Don’t take it down. Please don’t take it down!
I wouldn’t worry about people who feel that you should be there to entertain them for nothing. Crass!
Matt, Please. All the offended parties had to do was mind their own business. Carry on Matt! Much peace, contentment and joy to you and your family.
Maybe you’re at the forefront of changing the business model for blogging. Or maybe not. I’ll be interested to see how it affects what you and others write. I also wonder what it means about the privilege of a platform which helps you innovate your convent/evolve your thinking/sharpen your writing via multi-way conversation…if that is of value to you.
I have no problem ……..your site……your choice!
Often when I read your blog, I think, Wow that took some time and effort to be put together, Why shouldn’t you be compensated? when a blog reaches such a high status as yours has, it would be foolish not to monetize it, that’s exactly why the big companies pay $ for a following such as yours, I don’t see anything wrong with it, and I just may donate a few bucks myself! Keep up the good work Matt and please leave the button!
I agree with everyone else that has commented so far. Why on earth would anyone feel offended or manipulated? Plenty of people get paid for their blogs, why shouldn’t you?! It was obviously done with much thought and in a very tasteful way. Please don’t take it down. You deserve any compensation you get!
Keep it. Please. It would give me pleasure to know I can contribute in some small way to spreading your wisdom & wit to as many people as possible.
Matt, I know how difficult it is to “monetize” a blog. It IS work. I would recommend Michael Hyatt and his work for building a platform (if you already don’t follow him). He also talks about this issue at length and how to deal with it. Lots of wisdom there. Regards… Doug
It’s certainly hypocritical for getting paid to blog while decrying others for wanting a living wage.
I will be donating. If I enjoy something created by the labor of another it gives me great pleasure to express my appreciation voluntarily. I oppose any attempts to involuntarily force me to pay or otherwise compensate someone. For example; i am a generous tipper but when an “automatic gratuity” is added to my bill, I am offended. It occurs to me that all those who espouse the idea that we “deserve” a “living wage”, simply by virtue of our existence, don’t understand that all of us should be very grateful we don’t get what we truly “deserve” from the one who created us.
Perhaps you should re-read the ‘living wage’ blog article again and try to comprehend the overall point Matt was making, Lucinda, because I doubt you understood from what you just wrote here … Bless your little heart 😉
“Bless your heart” is the best insult you can come up with? And you call yourself Scots-Irish…
I called myself Scots-Irish?? You must have me confused with someone else here because I certainly never said that and if I do have any Scot or Irish blood it’s from generations long, long ago – LOL 😉
Oh, and Bless your little heart is the most lady like comment to make to you 😉
Southerners in general. You can’t call yourself a Celt if you don’t say “fuck”
Yawn 😉
Texas or somewhere in the south. . .i would wager 😉
His objection regarding the living wage is that some workers don’t put in enough effort to “deserve” a living wage. Here he is explaining that he added a donation link for those that felt like contributing.
Can you explain the hypocrisy you’re seeing?
And Matt deserves to get paid for writing the same things about the same things?
He isn’t claiming he “deserves” to be paid. Those that like what he writes can contribute as much or as little as they like.
What precisely is hypocritical about this?
Hyrcanus, don’t expect a coherent answer from Luscinia; it isn’t possible 😉
Good comments Hyrcanus! 🙂
I will not be donating and I encourage others to donate not to Matt but to the New England Wildlife Center.
What is wrong with you?
She apparently has a better rapport with wild animals including those in human form 😉
If you have such a problem with what Matt has to say, why are you even on this website? Seriously… you are wasting your own and everyone else’s time by even commenting this.
Because some people have nothing better to do with their sad lives than find things to be indignant about.
Thank you, whoever you are, for complaining about Matt’s donation link and bringing it to my attention – I did not know he had one. Because not 20 seconds after I read this note, I went straight to that link…….and donated. Everything Matt writes rings true to me, and I can feel his passion and commitment about these issues that I feel helpless against. He must spend hours thinking, researching, writing, re-writing, and If my donation makes it possible for Matt to continue his fight against our sadly skewed and demoralized culture – if it brings him greater recognition by the world, then it was more than worth it to me. I will continue to donate. Thank you Matt, for taking extraordinary time and thought to say and do what is hard for me to say or do.
Yes, thank you for complaining! Now we know where we can donate. 🙂
I think I get now…..
You’re a blogevangelist.
A 2013 version of televangelists.
There’s a market for that, but not all of your followers are in it.
So, sure, a charitable button is just right for that model.
and generating controversy with a post like this is a perfect way to market it.
For all the donate button naysayers, “Don’t let the door hit you in the behind on the way out!!” 😉
🙂 Agree.
Agreed!
I think I get it now…. You’re a guy who is obviously bright, thoughtful, talented, conscientious, responsible and articulate. You share your opinions with others and because you are good at what you do, you have created a following. Your intellectual property has become popular and now it could be become possible for you to “earn” some compensation for your efforts. Rather that making it more difficult for those who enjoy what you share by cluttering your blog with loads of pop-ups, and other ads, you discretely display an option for folks to voluntarily donate. Now, because someone has complained or otherwise registered their disapproval, you feel it is your responsibility to explain yourself. I can understand why some people don’t “get it”, because, unfortunately, they have never been exposed to free enterprise on such a personal level, but as for me, I applaud you and choose to support regardless of your obviously capitalist attempt to unashamedly “market” yourself. God forbid that more people might be exposed to rational thinking!
Last thought….
Since you asked…..
Your blog is less an innovative space so much as it’s a one way conversation. No problem there. It’s just not a different use of the platform than many other bloggers, and underleverages the power of the multi-way communication to find universal human truth. You validate and create community for some, but you are looking for Amen! or an example to inspire you (via shame in many cases) rather than a challenge. This is all fine for the majority of your loyal market, as you see in the comments here, so you have your answer…and you’ve gotten the word out about your button. Kudos.
I’m done now.
Thanks for listening….or not.
What Matt is doing by blogging his opinions and thoughts is no different than a newspaper columnist who writes editorials for a living. The only difference is Matt isn’t getting a salary.
I think it’s great you have a donate button. Blogs are alot of work and the thought, passion and intensity of your posts show that. Personally I read your blog for 2 reasons. First because I agree with just about everything you blog about and it’s nice to know there are kindred spirits out there in this crazy, messed up world. Secondly reading your blogs makes me not feel so alone out here surrounded by liberals. It’s nice to see there are rational thinking people still out there with a high standard of morals. Sometimes I feel like our country is going to hell in a hand-basket w/ all of them, but then I read your posts and comments and know there is still hope to get it back on track. Keep up the good work. Your courage is truly acknowledged and appreciated.
I appreciate you explaining your rationale but most of all I appreciate now knowing about it. It is strictly voluntary so I’m not sure why others are offended. You spend considerable time putting your thoughts down and I choose to read them…I also choose to donate. Please keep that approach and don’t go the way of annoying ads….Thanks Matt.
Please leave the donate tab. I’m so grateful for your writing. One day I’d love to support you financially. Do not listen to anyone who says otherwise. It is OKAY for people to support you with money. We like to support you by spreading your wisdom. Money may help keep that going! THANK YOU! Please keep writing. God bless! Kerri
Don’t you dare even think about taking the donate link down. Whether I use it or not doesn’t matter, but if you take down a donate link that doesn’t even appear on your site’s main pages, then how do I know you won’t start changing your content in other ways? Repent that you even thought of it! Repent now! Right now. This is your site, man. Did you ever hear of the first amendment? Until you start publishing sin–at which point I will let you know–don’t even think about changing your message. And that includes the donate button. Otherwise, how do I know what else you are going to recant? Why do people forget that freedom of speech does not mean change the message but that if you don’t like the message you can move on? (But they also think that if the speech is vulgar or obscene, then we should actually not change the message.)
Loved this post! Also, FYI, research shows those who wait to have sex until they are married are happier in their marriages. Check out this link:
http://news.byu.edu/archive10-dec-benefits.aspx
In additional to casual sex, I commonly hear the line from people that they should ‘try out’ sex with a partner before committing to them – just like a person should test drive a vehicle before buying one. Well… people are not cars. The comparison doesn’t prove itself true in the research. They are more than mere commodities! Trying out a person weakens the future marriage.
I think the donate button should be more prominent.
Leave it up, Matt. Every man should do what he can to support his family. If that includes a donation tab for you, then man it’s your blog. Sidenote: Your going to start doing more stuff on this blog? When do we get to hear about that?
Keep doing what you’re doing man! I just happily donated! 🙂
Hi Matt,
Leave the button. And I say, flog some stuff as well. That’s not selling out. I’m a hairdresser. People pay me to cut their hair. I also recommend certain products for them to use at home (for a cut of the sales). I don’t use all the products I recommend (that would be a lot of products to use on just one head) But I do believe that the ones I recommend are as good or better than any others they might use. So if you can honestly say something nice about a product, or an advertiser has something legitimate to offer your readers, why not let them have a little ride on your coattails (for a reasonable fee) That’s the free market we live in and love. If you are not doing everything you can to be profitable in your chosen field, well, I’d probably lose just a little bit of respect for you. To tell you the truth, I will never donate to your blog. I generally only hand out money if I am buying something or if someone has a genuine need. I would, though, buy products you recommend and I would check out advertisers on your site. Godspeed, Lisa
People saying that they are offended by a “Donate” button are about as believable as those who claim to be offended by the threat of a porn channel on TV. If it offends you … don’t look at it!
Please leave the donate link, I like the ease of Paypal. Its not difficult to acknowledge that I benefit from reading your blog. I frequently find myself thinking “I’m so glad he said that” or sharing it, I appreciate your honesty, down to-earth approach and enjoy your oft dry wit. I wish I could have donated more, I’m on educational leave from my job so I’m limited, but I could still say ‘thanks’! Nothing shameful in doing a great job and being rewarded for it monetarily by those who do ‘benefit’ – frequently referred to as ‘making an honest living’. Thanks, Matt , please keep it up.
Keep the subtle “donate” buttons……blogging is very time consuming and we severely need more blogs with your type content.
Nobody should get paid for blogging.
Thank you so much for arbitrarily establishing the criteria by which commerce on the internet should be conducted. We will all now comply…..or not.
Luscina, everybody should be paid for work that the market finds valuable. Matt’s obviously got a passionate market that finds his work valuable. I’m still on the fence, but it’s absurd to say that no one should be paid for blogging. Should writers of literature or the news not be paid?
Sam, now on this I agree with you 100% 🙂
Donate to typhoon relief. Donate to buying this awesome sculpture for a museum so that everyone can enjoy it. Donate to anything that isn’t a professional blogger.
Luscinia, don’t you realize that your handful of comments like this one are being laughed at and not taken at all seriously?? If you don’t like the fact that Matt recently added an unobtrusive voluntary donate button then please go troll the ‘free and no donation’ entitlement mentality blogs …
By the way, have you personally donated charitable contributions to all of the places you’ve suggested here in the past couple of days?? I highly doubt it 😉
“Entitlement mentality?”
What the fuck does that even mean?
And I’ve been donating my time and efforts for the last two years.
By all means, keep the donate link – and make it easier to find! If you can monetize your insights here, that’s great!
I did donate because of this post, and the thought DID occur to me that it could be a marketing ploy in itself – however, I choose to believe that the explanation and intentions expressed in the post are true. I choose not to let myself fall into a spiral of wondering if I am being manipulated and what all the possible implications are. I choose to have faith in humanity, and hope in Matt Walsh. I regret nothing!
If I read a blog, and enjoy or use the information, I actively look for an ad to click, preferably one with stuff I might be interested in. I think the wirter deserves something for his work, and it costs me nothing to click on the ad (and I often find cool things behind the ad, like the Giving one I clicked here recently). As someone who puts a lot of time and effort into a blog that I hope people find useful, I like to think that people reading my blog feel the same way, and click an ad as well. I also have a tip jar, mainly because I provide information that is monetarily useful to my readers, and it’s a way to let them pay if they feel the information was worth it.
Ignore the haters, Matt. You go support your family. I doubt any of those people would have even half the decency you have if they had as much traffic visiting their site as you do.
Wait, is this a trick? I’m familiar with the, “a lot of people have asked me about….” ploy to bring up something without bragging. So the, “some people are annoyed by this little donate button” works kind of the same way. Either way, I appreciate the opportunity to send some jack your way. We all end up paying for things that we wish we didn’t have to, or that seem like a poor value, or we are that insult our morals. I’d rather that its all up front. You write smart and extensive commentary. When I click on the button, it won’t be because I owe it to you, but because I like smart people that tell the truth, and I want you to keep going.
Never apologize for trying to honestly earn a profit.
Somebody needs to pay you a lot for saying the things most people are too scared to say. Hopefully I can contribute in the future.
Thank you for speaking up.
I am so disappointed in you to have the nerve to be honest and ask for financial support to legitimately support your work ethic and family. I mean why cant you be like the emergent majority who expect their livelihood to come from the Government? Why cant you seek an entitlement subsidy or enter into a government contract to further our indebtedness as a country and moreover, overbill our government and simply produce a blog that cant handle the internet traffic. In fact, if you would simply do this, I would even support your taking a good three years to develop such a blog provided you launch it before it is tested or goes live. Please just don’t ask for a donation or at least if you must, set guidelines that will cause our donation to go up and please ensure our personal information be collected but not be be secure or encrypted. I would expect if you would follow my advice, you will only then be fit for public office and attain a platform that encourages lying and deceit. Enough of your petty forthright honesty and donation request. Stop with the attitude you are responsible for yourself and the well-being of your family. Indeed, you are making the growing entitlement society look bad.
Bravo and well said!! 🙂
“why cant you be like the emergent majority who expect their livelihood to come from the Government?”
Love it.
Well said!!
It seems your heart and your need are in harmony. Keep the donate button.
if this is the only thing that someone has to worry about, I want their life. Seriously??? I think you should be syndicated column in a newpaper but what do I know.
Some of these comments are crazy. How do you deal with this, Matt Walsh? Blogging on a consistent basis is time consuming. I think every blogger who can put forth enough effort to develop a reasonable amount of traffic deserves to be rewarded for it. If his way is to have a donate button then let him do it. Everyone is so judgmental these days. If you don’t want to donate or you don’t agree with him having the option to donate…just ignore it! This is his blog people!
I think no.
Matt: Déjalo ahí!!!!!!
Oh for Pete’s sake, everyone knows that writers make so much money we’re just dying to work for free, like mail carriers and lawyers and doctors and truck drivers do . . . oh wait, they’re paid for their work . . .
Matt, those who are offended by a link to donate to your blog are anti-capitalist fools, they’re aren’t your avid followers, that’s for damn sure. Keep up the good work.
Yes, keep it up and in fact, make it easier to find! A donate button is much better than a subscription fee and tons of ads. I only pray that enough of us donate to keep your articles coming. I find your articles, encouraging, challenging, humorous but most importantly thought provoking. Thanks for always sharing!
I have no problem with it whatsoever, rock on Matt!
Holy Crap people need to get over themselves. Leave it there and those who truly appreciate you and your thought processes…will stay. Those that don’t…fuck em!