IndieRetailer.com
07-15-2006, 01:42 AM
Please read this carefully and try to consider it objectively. I ask this because I know that tipping can be a highly controversial topic sometimes.
I participate in a lot of forum boards for various subject matters; mostly small business topics, but also web design, language, scripting, and marketing. There have been occasions when I'm trying to add a feature or make a coding change to one of my websites, I just get stumped. I try and try, make minor adjustments, trial and error and error, and... Once completely convinced that I'm not going to resolve an issue on my own, I'll turn to the good folks on the forum boards. There has not been one time where people who were more experienced in a particular topic was not able to at least help, if not resolve the problem entirely. I know how much some programmers would charge for such advice or help and truly appreciate the willing free spirits that are happy to help and expect nothing in return except the sense of being able to be helpful.
Often times, admittedly not all the time, and especially if the issue was especially excruciating and the forum mate saved me a whole lot of grief, I'll ask the poster if they have a 'tip jar' where I can show my appreciation. Almost always, they'll send me a link to their PayPal account. Some will have something of the sort already set up, others are simply an email to forward to. I generally "tip" $5-10, again depending on the issue.
Other rare occasions, I'll visit a website that is essentially set up as information only, or freebie tips and tools, with some scattered advertising; adwords and such, in hopes to generate some revenue. On these sites, I might find a PayPal "donate" button with some text to the effect of, "If you've found something useful on our free site, please feel free to pitch a buck or two to help offset the expenses of keeping it going." Admittedly again, I don't always, but every once in a while I do. Most are done tactfully without blatant begging or guilt tactics.
I recall being a much younger person driving a shuttle bus for a major resort hotel in San Diego. This is one of those sort of services where people generally are uncertain whether to tip or not. The shuttle would hold about 20 people maximum (of course it wasn't always full). Working in this position, you quickly learn that the first person off the shuttle is the most important. If that first person hands you a tip, it affirms the uncertainty in the rest. I would not pocket the tip right away. I would hold it in my hand and held it close to my body so as not to give the appearance that I was holding my hand out seeking tips, but at the same time making it a visible affirmation to those later customers who may not have seen the initial tipping activity. If they're inclined to tip, then they will certainly do so. If they don't tip, then it is not out of ignorance, it is simply because they made a conscious decision not to.
Now here's where tactful strategy came in. If that first person did not tip, then I always had a dollar in my pocket that I could quickly access after the first person has passed and the second does not notice the origin of the dollar (It was a swift and subtle transition). I've always had a very clear voice that carries well; not obnoxiously, but well enough for everyone to hear me kindly thank each person who exited the shuttle. One might think it's the typical, "Thanks for coming, thanks for stopping by, thanks for riding our shuttle today, etc..." However, as each person exited the shuttle, they were given the opportunity to notice (if they were observant enough) that I was holding currency in my hand that was likely a tip.
This was a proven technique that provided me more tips than any other driver without blatantly extending an open hand with an expecting look on my face. Anyone with a basic introduction to the concepts of psychology might recognize this as "the power of suggestion."
So, here's my question to you; How do you feel about a web site that places a link to a "tip jar" on their site if done tactfully, without a sob story or guilt tactic?
Actually, I'd like to tack on another question if you don't mind; If done tactfully, and you find the information or freebie service useful, would you be inclined to leave a tip?
Okay, one more question for the sake of "statistics", have YOU ever left a "tip" for a webmaster?
So:
1. How do you feel about a tactfully placed virtual "tip jar"?
2. Would you be inclined to leave a tip if you found useful information or tools?
3. Have you ever personally left a "tip" for a webmaster?
Again, I post this with extensive experience in the service industry and I KNOW there are a select few who are just dead set against tipping for anything, don't believe in it, and think tipping should be outlawed. Well, phooey on you and please don't respond! (There's no smiley thumbing their nose and sticking their tongue out) To everyone else, thank you in advance for your participation.
I participate in a lot of forum boards for various subject matters; mostly small business topics, but also web design, language, scripting, and marketing. There have been occasions when I'm trying to add a feature or make a coding change to one of my websites, I just get stumped. I try and try, make minor adjustments, trial and error and error, and... Once completely convinced that I'm not going to resolve an issue on my own, I'll turn to the good folks on the forum boards. There has not been one time where people who were more experienced in a particular topic was not able to at least help, if not resolve the problem entirely. I know how much some programmers would charge for such advice or help and truly appreciate the willing free spirits that are happy to help and expect nothing in return except the sense of being able to be helpful.
Often times, admittedly not all the time, and especially if the issue was especially excruciating and the forum mate saved me a whole lot of grief, I'll ask the poster if they have a 'tip jar' where I can show my appreciation. Almost always, they'll send me a link to their PayPal account. Some will have something of the sort already set up, others are simply an email to forward to. I generally "tip" $5-10, again depending on the issue.
Other rare occasions, I'll visit a website that is essentially set up as information only, or freebie tips and tools, with some scattered advertising; adwords and such, in hopes to generate some revenue. On these sites, I might find a PayPal "donate" button with some text to the effect of, "If you've found something useful on our free site, please feel free to pitch a buck or two to help offset the expenses of keeping it going." Admittedly again, I don't always, but every once in a while I do. Most are done tactfully without blatant begging or guilt tactics.
I recall being a much younger person driving a shuttle bus for a major resort hotel in San Diego. This is one of those sort of services where people generally are uncertain whether to tip or not. The shuttle would hold about 20 people maximum (of course it wasn't always full). Working in this position, you quickly learn that the first person off the shuttle is the most important. If that first person hands you a tip, it affirms the uncertainty in the rest. I would not pocket the tip right away. I would hold it in my hand and held it close to my body so as not to give the appearance that I was holding my hand out seeking tips, but at the same time making it a visible affirmation to those later customers who may not have seen the initial tipping activity. If they're inclined to tip, then they will certainly do so. If they don't tip, then it is not out of ignorance, it is simply because they made a conscious decision not to.
Now here's where tactful strategy came in. If that first person did not tip, then I always had a dollar in my pocket that I could quickly access after the first person has passed and the second does not notice the origin of the dollar (It was a swift and subtle transition). I've always had a very clear voice that carries well; not obnoxiously, but well enough for everyone to hear me kindly thank each person who exited the shuttle. One might think it's the typical, "Thanks for coming, thanks for stopping by, thanks for riding our shuttle today, etc..." However, as each person exited the shuttle, they were given the opportunity to notice (if they were observant enough) that I was holding currency in my hand that was likely a tip.
This was a proven technique that provided me more tips than any other driver without blatantly extending an open hand with an expecting look on my face. Anyone with a basic introduction to the concepts of psychology might recognize this as "the power of suggestion."
So, here's my question to you; How do you feel about a web site that places a link to a "tip jar" on their site if done tactfully, without a sob story or guilt tactic?
Actually, I'd like to tack on another question if you don't mind; If done tactfully, and you find the information or freebie service useful, would you be inclined to leave a tip?
Okay, one more question for the sake of "statistics", have YOU ever left a "tip" for a webmaster?
So:
1. How do you feel about a tactfully placed virtual "tip jar"?
2. Would you be inclined to leave a tip if you found useful information or tools?
3. Have you ever personally left a "tip" for a webmaster?
Again, I post this with extensive experience in the service industry and I KNOW there are a select few who are just dead set against tipping for anything, don't believe in it, and think tipping should be outlawed. Well, phooey on you and please don't respond! (There's no smiley thumbing their nose and sticking their tongue out) To everyone else, thank you in advance for your participation.