New feature: 750 Words Patrons
Over the weekend I implemented a system over at 750words.com can I think is pretty neat. Inspired by “pro” accounts like Flickr and Picnik and several other great sites, I wanted to give it a bit of my own spin. I’m realizing that every feature should adhere to a similar aesthetic, and my aesthetic is about telling a story, and being transparent, and also being simple. At least, that’s what I want it to be.
So, instead of requiring payment, or just asking for donations, I wanted to make the support and good will of the people using the site as much of a feature as the act of daily writing.
It’s easier to just link to it than to explain it, so this is what I came up with:
It’s still in flux, so let me know what you think about it.
March 16th, 2010 at 11:18 pm
Um, you realize you don’t really describe what “patronage” is or how to become a patron in that link. The closest you get is, “Please feel free to use this space while contributing the price of a coffee, as they say.” So it has something to do with giving you money. Fair enough. But the signifier of money is missing: there is no link, no button, no form. It’s just your blurb, “About this site” on the left, and “Notes of inspiration from the patrons” on the right.
(BTW I don’t use 750words I saw this in my feed and was just curious what it was)
March 18th, 2010 at 2:14 am
You should probably try 750words.com before you ask him to define a word you can look up in the dictionary. Just my snarky 2 cents. 750words has a lot of potential IMHO because it attempts to put daily writing into the cloud, with a community feel, and it just might make you a better writer.
March 18th, 2010 at 5:13 pm
It’s fine to couch “please donate” in fancy and long winded prose. What puzzles is the lack of actionability. My personal aesthetic leans toward simple expression, but I don’t find fault with complexity, only non-sequitor. Basically, needs a Paypal donate button.
March 18th, 2010 at 7:43 pm
Hey Josh, you’re right, if you’re logged out there is no Paypal button. There should be a link to sign in, however, in the place that the Paypal button is. The reason I require a log in is so I can know who made the donation and associate it with their account. Also, it makes sense to me that not accepting donations from people who aren’t using the site is okay.
Sorry for the confusion though. I’ll try to add more info about how exactly to donate when you’re logged out. Thanks for pointing that out!
March 20th, 2010 at 7:42 am
This is an awesome way to support the site – I’m really curious how it will go over time as the community grows
April 10th, 2010 at 11:09 pm
Thanks so much for creating 750 words. I started my patronage today after having an awesome experience writing my first 750 words. Excellent stuff!
October 30th, 2011 at 6:23 pm
Cannot seem to signup for November–I fill in the pretty teal contract but there is no place I can find to submit it…..getting on and writing on iPhone also challenging. I so hope this is going to work–I need it!