I’ve been blogging about esoteric local history for over a year now. Little affirms my efforts more than when someone likes, shares, or comments, but I’ve received a handful of messages asking about other ways to support my work. In response, I added a “Buy me a coffee” button to the bottom of my posts in January. I dropped the ball and missed Thanksgiving, but here’s a year-end update on your generosity.
I’m fortunate that I can afford to publish my work here. That wasn’t always the case, and memories of those fallow years left me wondering if there was a way to cover the operating costs of my blog. About a year ago, I figured I had three choices: run ads, start a Patreon, or hide my content behind a paywall.
None of those options appealed to me, but then I learned about Ko-fi. It’s a free, secure service that lets you tip me in increments of three bucks. I like my Nespresso pods as much as the next guy, but coffee is simply Ko-Fi’s chosen metaphor. Instead of a dark roast, your $3 tip helps fund hosting costs, gas, and the subscription services I use for research.
Ko-fi has turned out to be a boon. So far, readers and fellow bloggers have contributed seventy-two “coffees,” or $216! That covered my domain and hosting costs, four months of research subscriptions, and a trip to Hancock County’s one-room schoolhouses. I’m blown away by the response, but I appreciate your readership just as much whether or not you buy me a coffee.
I’m glad to have the chance to share my weird passions and research with you. Whether you read, like, comment, share, or buy me a coffee, I’m grateful for your support and partnership!
