Problems Getting Paid To Write

Are you struggling with actually getting donations from grateful readers. Perhaps this is part of the problem. Perhaps this is the problem?

Earlier today I was so impressed with the article, What Web Publishers Aren’t Getting by Tessa Schlesinger, that I actually attempted to tip her 3 whole Dollars via Kofi only to be greeted with the pop-up above. Sadly, Tessa didn’t get my tip so maybe some of the rest of you will tip Tessa via Ko-Fi.

Go ahead and check, you’ll find that is Tessa’s tip page and not mine.

Admittedly I’ve never liked to work for tips or commissions, but it is what it is. The system wants to reduce us to iBeggars, and we remain powerless to overcome it.

Also I don’t enjoy writing articles about writing, writers, and the struggles we writers face because Tessa is correct in stating:

Sorry about the lack of quotation marks, I don’t know how to put quotes on a screen grab.

In seeing the pop-up from Ko-Fi I began to wonder, Are other tippers having the same issues? How many writers who depend on Ko-Fi are having this same problem without knowing it. Is this something that is happening at donation sites other than Ko-Fi? Finally, how much is this costing writers, hundreds, thousands, millions? This could really add up.

In case you are wondering my card is a Mastercard debit card issued by my credit union, and as I have never before experienced this after 2 decades of online shopping I can’t help but wonder if there is legitimate reason that Ko-Fi is blocked by my credit union?

I think that last line is what younger readers call, throwing shade, but at my age it is hard to tell.

No, I don’t have a credit card I can use instead as I’ve never before needed a credit card, and Ko-Fi didn’t offer me the chance to use Paypal. Alas, this is the first time I’ve ever tried to tip another writer so what goes?

All that said, I could ramble on but the point has been made and it is my opinion articles should be never be deliberately made longer just to feed Algo.

Update: 26, October, 2021, I sent the following message to Ko-Fi:

Two days ago I attempted to tip a writer via Ko-Fi and got the message, “Your card does not support this type of purchase.” This concerns me deeply so I posted the following article to Medium so that others might be made aware. https://readmedium.com/problems-getting-paid-to-write-53ceb1ccda17

Please address this problem, and let me know so that others can use Ko-Fi.. Thanks -Billy Jones

Update: 27, October, 2021, brings an automated reply from Ko-Fi to let me know they got my message:

Your support case (60926) has been received.

Ko-fi Gold members can expect a response from the team within 24 hours Monday — Friday

Free members sometimes can take a bit longer, but you will usually hear from us within 72 hours.

Make sure you’ve searched the help centre for an answer to your query and we will respond as soon as possible.

To add additional comments, reply to this email.

Talk soon, The Ko-fi Support Team

Update: 28, October, 2021, The saga continues with this reply from Ko-Fi:

“Hi there,

Thanks for reaching out to us!

From the screenshot I’m seeing in your artcile, it seems like you might be experiencing an issue with your card or the card you are using is not compatible with PayPal.

Are you using a pre-paid card by any chance?

Can you please try the transaction with a different card?

Let me know so we can find the issue.

Tessa has been receiving many donations for their work, most supporters are not having an issue donating to them, so lets figure out why you are having issues with this.

Have a lovely day, Emma”

My reply:

“I used the card that is connected to my Paypal account for over a decade. The card is not prepaid. The card is a debit card attached to my checking account. As I pointed out in the article I wrote, that is the only card I have. Let’s please figure this out. -Billy”

Hopefully this will be resolved soon.

Update: 28, October, 2021 Another message from Ko-Fi:

“Hi Billy,

Thanks for getting back to me.

I’m sorry to hear this is your only card and there’s seemingly no reason for it to not work.

Which email address do you use for PayPal?

I can take a closer look at our PayPal logs.

Have you been in touch with PayPal at all about this failed transaction?

I look forward to hearing back from you, Emma”

My reply:

“Thus far I have not contacted PayPal. The e-mail address I use on PayPal is REDACTED @gmail.com Thank you -Billy”

Such is the life of we iBeggars. When the folks at Ko-Fi give up I’ll move on to PayPal.

Update: 29, October, 2021, Got another reply from Ko-Fi, seems the problem may be my credit union.

Hi there

Thanks for reaching out!

I have looked at your payment to tessaschlesinger and it looks like it was declined by your bank.

This might happen if you do not regularly make donations like this.

Would you be able to contact your bank and let the purchase through?

Any questions, do let me know : )

With kind regards Dennis

My Reply,

Well that sucks… I’ll get in touch with my banking institution. Thanks -Billy

Finally, here’s my Ko-Fi tip link should you want to test your cards: https://ko-fi.com/billyjones3468