TO TIP OR NOT TO TIP

Supporting Writers on Medium

Buy Me A Coffee and Ko-fi

Mika Oka
4 min readSep 9, 2023

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On platforms like Medium, there are many ways to show writers that you appreciate their work, and it’s not all about just giving them money.

Photo by Tyler Franta on Unsplash
  • Engage with Their Stories: One of the best ways to support writers is to actively engage with their stories. Leave comments, share your thoughts, and let them know how much you liked their writing. Writers love this kind of interaction; it makes them feel connected to their readers.
  • Use Kind Words: Sometimes, a kind word or a simple note of encouragement can mean even more to a writer than a monetary donation. Let them know you appreciate their work, tell them what you enjoyed, and offer words of encouragement. Positive feedback can be incredibly uplifting.
  • Share Their Work: If you come across a story that really speaks to you, share it with your friends and followers. This helps the writer reach a wider audience and get their ideas out there.
  • Follow and Clap: Following a writer you admire and consistently clapping for their stories is an easy way to show your support. It encourages them to keep writing and shows them that their work is valued.
  • Money Matters, But It’s Not Everything: While tipping writers with a few dollars is appreciated, it’s not the only way to support them. Even small contributions can add up and help them continue doing what they love.
  • Buy Digital Products: Purchase digital products like eBooks, digital art, or music tracks from creators. The money you spend on these can go directly to supporting them.
  • Subscribe to Services: Creators often offer subscription-based services like newsletters or streaming. By subscribing and donating the subscription fees, you can show your support.
  • Pay-What-You-Want: Some creators let you choose how much you want to donate through pay-what-you-want products or services.

Debit Card Issues on Buy Me a Coffee and Ko-fi

I would really appreciate it if you could please stay on the page 
for at least 30 seconds to help me support my work as per Medium's new changes.

Buy Me a Coffee and Ko-fi are places where writers and their supporters meet, but using debit cards for donations has been a bit tricky lately. Some donations that used to go through smoothly are now getting rejected, and others are flagged as potentially fraudulent.

Why Debit Card Payments Might Get Declined

  • Fraud Risk: Debit cards are more vulnerable to fraud because they’re directly connected to bank accounts. If someone gets hold of your debit card info, they can take money right out of your account. Credit cards offer better fraud protection.
  • Higher Fees: Debit card transactions often come with higher processing fees compared to credit cards, even though they’re processed similarly. This makes credit cards a more cost-effective option for these platforms.
  • Convenience Counts: Credit cards, PayPal, and Google Pay are usually more convenient for donors. They save you the trouble of entering your debit card info every time you make a donation.
CLICK HERE TO SIGN UP

PayPal as Alternative

PayPal is a good alternative for card donations. It’s an online payment service that’s widely used and accepted. Here’s why it’s a good choice:

  • Better Fraud Protection: PayPal offers more protection against fraud compared to debit cards because it doesn’t store your debit card info, reducing the risk of theft.
  • Convenience: Using PayPal is more convenient than debit cards because you don’t have to keep entering your debit card info.
  • Accepted Everywhere: PayPal is widely accepted, so you can use it to support a wider range of creators.

My eBook and digital art collection are available on Inspired Life Co & Ko-fi

*Part of this story and it’s associated links are aimed at addressing questions from our fellow writer friends who are interested in signing up for a BuyMeACoffee account.

*This story includes affiliate links. I earn income from purchases through these links.

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Mika Oka

Sharing her unique perspective on the world as a hearing-impaired autistic person with bipolar disorder despite the challenges. emikaoka.wordpress.com/home/