Announcements: Is This Worth It?

Posted Sep 02, 2021 4:35PM EDT

In the best shoot-then-aim tradition, I've only started to collect statistics about what's happening on OlderGay.Men. One jumped out at me: 107 members currently support us on Patreon. On the one hand: That's great! On the other: It's 0.1468% of our membership.

I don't want to sound discouraged. But if only 15 percent of one percent of you care to make sure this will still be here tomorrow, you have to admit that's not the most enthusiastic vote of confidence. On a crass financial level, it means that supporting members pay less than a third of our monthly expenses. I'm happy to continue making up the rest, but increased support would ease both my pocketbook and my worries about whether this is a worthwhile experiment.

So let me ask you:

If you subscribe: Thank you!
If you don’t… Why not?

I don't mean that as an accusation, but as a sincere question.

I understand that $5 a month is more than some of our members can afford. I understand that you may have other priorities — if it's a question of supporting the site or making your monthly contribution to fight childhood leukemia, please, forget about us. We're fine in that case.

But if you would support the site if only… What is that if only? What could we do to make you feel good when you see the item on your credit card statement?

I'd love to hear your thoughts. You can add them to the bottom of this article (or on this page), or you can write us directly if you prefer not to comment publicly. Thanks for your time.

Jeff

Comments

- ftravlr1
- First, let me thank you, Jeff, for your service in providing this forum. In addition to the expense, I understand that there is considerable effort.
  I am a subscriber and am fortunate to be able to afford to pay my fair share. Many retired people are unable to afford even a few extra dollars. I also suspect that many there are wives or caregivers that would question what a “Patreon” charge might be. However, I suspect that most of the non-subscribers are simply choosing to avail themselves of a free service.
  Thanks again and best wishes.
  Reply
- Guy
- First off, thank you for what you do. Exactly what ftravlr1 said is a bit of a problem. You have to find another means of payment that will be easier than what you have now. The patreaon method asks a lot of questions. You even have to register, log in etc before you can pay. That doesn’t work. I tried it once and had to give up because of all the steps one needs to take before making a payment. Just a suggestion.!
  Reply
- Jeff Covey
- ftravlr1:
  
  I am a subscriber and am fortunate to be able to afford to pay my fair share.
  
  Thank you!
  
  Many retired people are unable to afford even a few extra dollars.
  
  I understand that. But when we get into the tens of thousands of active monthly users, finances can’t be the limiting factor for that many of them.
  
  I also suspect that for many there are wives or caregivers that would question what a “Patreon” charge might be.
  
  I guess so, but Patreon handles subscriptions for everything from podcasts to bands to authors to cooking shows. It shouldn’t be too hard to come up with something to explain the charge.
  
  However, I suspect that most of the non-subscribers are simply choosing to avail themselves of a free service.
  
  It is discouraging that in the five days since I posted this, only you and @Guy have replied, but dozens of guys have posted pictures of their junk in other conversations or chimed in to break the news that they like to masturbate. I expect to have freeloaders, but it’s unsustainable when it’s practically everyone.
  
  I’ll keep pondering carrots and sticks. Thanks for your thoughts!
  Reply
- Jeff Covey
- Guy:
  
  I tried it once and had to give up because of all the steps one needs to take before making a payment.
  
  Thanks for the input! I didn’t think it was hard. I’ll work at incorporating our Patreon account more tightly with the site.
  Reply
- Seems a very low subscription the fears sone may have about bank statements etc is understandable and the price is very very low in my opinion …
  All the work you do and no doubt the personal sacrifices you make must be huge at times added to this your time and diligence .
  All I can say is it’s not going unnoticed . Hope the uptake of more subscriptions improves
  Thank you
  Reply