Author Topic: Ethics of taking donations, how do you see it? (Read 3048 times)

Luke Rosdahl · « **on:** July 26, 2017, 06:50:24 AM »

My YouTube channel is getting pretty "busy." The more views and subscribers I get, obviously the more requests to add things to my videos. As anyone who makes videos can tell you, it's not cheap even just to make simple videos like I do. I empathize with the requests, and as a viewer, I'd love to see all that stuff people request, but it's not feasible. I have a paypal account set up for just bowling stuff, and my wife had suggested posting it to take donations that would help be able to do stuff like drilling a ball to throw lefthanded or drilling a second ball with a different layout, etc. I'm not entirely comfortable with that though, even if it's just going into the videos, I can only be so transparent with how much money is going where because I'm expressly forbidden from talking about how much the equipment costs.

Now, just because I post my paypal info doesn't mean anyone has to contribute, but I'm iffy on how that would be perceived. I highly doubt I'd donate to any channel that did that, I'd just be happy with what they could provide to begin with and move on, and I'd rather you just put the money into buying equipment. Plus let's be real, they're just bowling ball videos. I'm perfectly content to keep doing what I'm doing, but being able to improve my videos would be nice too. I'm leaning towards no and just continuing what I'm doing, but if we're being honest here, the idea is kind of tempting. Thoughts?

HankScorpio · « **Reply #1 on:** July 26, 2017, 07:25:25 AM »

I don't think your videos need much improvement. That said, I see no moral issue here. Subscription would be over the top, but it's just a donation.

Frankly, I don't care where the money goes. I'd consider donating just to thank you for your time. It's not just the videos - you're one of the few respected staffers on here because you stick around to defend your videos and opinions, answer questions, etc. Your opinions and videos legitimately affect the construction on my arsenal (even if I think you're nuts about IQ Tours).

luv2C10falll · « **Reply #2 on:** July 26, 2017, 07:29:49 AM »

Maybe put more" Time" and "Effort" into your regular job that already makes you money.Get good enough with your regular job to the point where you can become self employed. You tubers that ask for money look like beggers in my opinion. I know since Google bought YouTube things have changed ,like way more adds and cut revenue for people that post videos and constantly beg you to subscribe.There's nothing like being self employed. The advantages are huge

HankScorpio · « **Reply #3 on:** July 26, 2017, 07:43:34 AM »

Quote from: luv2C10falll on July 26, 2017, 07:29:49 AM

Maybe put more" Time" and "Effort" into your regular job that already makes you money.Get good enough with your regular job to the point where you can become self employed. You tubers that ask for money look like beggers in my opinion. I know since Google bought YouTube things have changed ,like way more adds and cut revenue for people that post videos and constantly beg you to subscribe.There's nothing like being self employed. The advantages are huge

How remarkably "holier than thou" of you...

This has nothing to do with his daily job. Bowling is a hobby. Most people that provide a service or have a skill are compensated when others take advantage of that skill, even when it's a hobby. I've known plenty of woodworkers, artists, etc, and if you want one of their pieces, it usually comes with a price. I'm not sure why this particular service is different for you.

Regardless, I'm sure there are plenty that feel that asking for donations is like begging, but the silent majority has spoken with their money. You tubers ask for donations because people have proven to be willing to donate to channels they feel deserve it.

ignitebowling · « **Reply #4 on:** July 26, 2017, 08:05:28 AM »

Plenty of people who do take money for their videos on youtube and istagram from people who are helping support future videos. Most use patreon.com

Luke Rosdahl · « **Reply #5 on:** July 26, 2017, 08:25:20 AM »

Eh, I don't think he meant it that way, and I get what has been said so far. Yeah, there are tons of youtubers that get weepy about how much money they don't make and beg for your subscriptions and likes and donations, and I don't want to be seen like that. Very few people can make a living at youtube, and most that are trying to make that happen are the ones who are doing all the begging. Yeah, my time and effort would be better used elsewhere most likely. It was a rough weekend last week getting those new videos up, and ultimately for what? But at the same time, the channel has kind of started to take off, and I wouldn't mind seeing where I could go with it, it's already opened a few doors and provided a few opportunities. Plus it may be the factor that gets me a contract for next year since I'm not in the pro shop biz anymore.

P.S., the IQ Tour still sucks! Lol . .

Quote from: HankScorpio on July 26, 2017, 07:43:34 AM

Quote from: luv2C10falll on July 26, 2017, 07:29:49 AM
Maybe put more" Time" and "Effort" into your regular job that already makes you money.Get good enough with your regular job to the point where you can become self employed. You tubers that ask for money look like beggers in my opinion. I know since Google bought YouTube things have changed ,like way more adds and cut revenue for people that post videos and constantly beg you to subscribe.There's nothing like being self employed. The advantages are huge

How remarkably "holier than thou" of you...

This has nothing to do with his daily job. Bowling is a hobby. Most people that provide a service or have a skill are compensated when others take advantage of that skill, even when it's a hobby. I've known plenty of woodworkers, artists, etc, and if you want one of their pieces, it usually comes with a price. I'm not sure why this particular service is different for you.

Regardless, I'm sure there are plenty that feel that asking for donations is like begging, but the silent majority has spoken with their money. You tubers ask for donations because people have proven to be willing to donate to channels they feel deserve it.

itsallaboutme · « **Reply #6 on:** July 26, 2017, 08:30:22 AM »

In the age of go fund me and Kickstarter begging for money on the internet has become an accepted behavior, not that I understand or will contribute to it. Bowlers are a very cheap bunch, especially when there is free alternatives, so I would keep your expectations low.

And since you can't mention it, I will for you. Most companies charge $50-$75 for staff balls beyond the contract allotment. Contract allotment varies by who you are. Some deals are for as many as you want, other deals are just the ability to purchase at the discounted rate.

storybook123 · « **Reply #7 on:** July 26, 2017, 08:40:37 AM »

I dont see any issue, with just posting something like if you enjoyed what you saw feel free to contribute to help with production, if not continue to enjoy everything for free.

Luke Rosdahl · « **Reply #8 on:** July 26, 2017, 08:58:22 AM »

My thoughts exactly. Currently I'm one of the "other deals" guys. Now if they decide next year that my videos are worth comping one of every new release for, then I'll be able to do more, but $10-15 per video in youtube revenue doesn't go very far, and I already do occasionally buy balls just to make a video and give it away or let it sit. I don't even really want to ask because that's the way I'd perceive it, but the go fund me and Kickstarter thing has become pretty widely accepted. I mean, if somebody wants to send me that much money just to drill a lefty ball or do an extra layout or something, sure, but I don't want it to seem like I'm ASKING for money and even just putting donations out there as a possibility would seem like begging to me, so didn't know whether to even mention it or not.

Quote from: itsallaboutme on July 26, 2017, 08:30:22 AM

In the age of go fund me and Kickstarter begging for money on the internet has become an accepted behavior, not that I understand or will contribute to it. Bowlers are a very cheap bunch, especially when there is free alternatives, so I would keep your expectations low.

And since you can't mention it, I will for you. Most companies charge $50-$75 for staff balls beyond the contract allotment. Contract allotment varies by who you are. Some deals are for as many as you want, other deals are just the ability to purchase at the discounted rate.

Luke Rosdahl · « **Reply #9 on:** July 26, 2017, 09:15:33 AM »

Yeah but I hesitate. I'm old enough and tend to be more old school anyway, plus I'm kind of doing this because of a benefit I have already, and people tend to lose perspective. I'm sure to some people it sounds like I already get stuff that cheap, but I want them to send me money so I can add an extra minute of "extras" onto a video PLUS then I expect them to go spend full price for their stuff?

Of course the real kicker here should be that I don't think the extra information is worth the extra cost, if it was, I'd already be doing it. Now other people may feel differently, and we'll see what happens with my contract for next year, but what it amounts to is advertising, and that's a company responsibility, not a customer responsibility. Now if I did more original content that I felt warranted a payment or sort of admission fee, sure, but I just can't find any way to spin this to make it sound right.

Quote from: storybook123 on July 26, 2017, 08:40:37 AM

I dont see any issue, with just posting something like if you enjoyed what you saw feel free to contribute to help with production, if not continue to enjoy everything for free.

Good Times Good Times · « **Reply #10 on:** July 26, 2017, 10:16:55 AM »

I don't see any issues. People are free to give or not give....

It's more of an invitation to donate if one feels compelled to. Nothing wrong with that.

storybook123 · « **Reply #11 on:** July 26, 2017, 11:12:09 AM »

Quote from: Good Times Good Times on July 26, 2017, 10:16:55 AM

I don't see any issues. People are free to give or not give....

It's more of an invitation to donate if one feels compelled to. Nothing wrong with that.

+1

HackJandy · « **Reply #12 on:** July 26, 2017, 11:34:52 AM »

Yeah as long as you are upfront and honest about what the donations are for and where they go hard to see any ethical problems.

NikonGuy · « **Reply #13 on:** July 26, 2017, 11:51:48 AM »

As long as you don't have your paypaal account scrolling across the bottom of your videos I don't see an issue. Put it in your description and leave it at that.

DP3 · « **Reply #14 on:** July 26, 2017, 05:38:19 PM »

I think you should look towards the route of content monetization through YouTube. I've been working in the internet advertising industry (mostly Google/Youtube/Facebook/Twitter) for 4 years. I would be willing to help you learn about the industry, free of cost if you're interested.

Author Topic: Ethics of taking donations, how do you see it? (Read 3048 times)

Luke Rosdahl

Ethics of taking donations, how do you see it?

HankScorpio

Re: Ethics of taking donations, how do you see it?

luv2C10falll

Re: Ethics of taking donations, how do you see it?

HankScorpio

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ignitebowling

Re: Ethics of taking donations, how do you see it?

Luke Rosdahl

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itsallaboutme

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storybook123

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Luke Rosdahl

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Luke Rosdahl

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Good Times Good Times

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storybook123

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HackJandy

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NikonGuy

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DP3

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