Ko-fi may be the lifeline Stripe(less) writers are looking for

The world is in a constant state of flux with new trends appearing regularly, some of them are here to stay, and others fade almost as quickly as they materialized as technology marches relentlessly on. The internet “born” in 1969 as we know it is becoming old hat and according to the modern-day tech prophets we are now moving into “the age of Web 3”, the “metaverse”.

Adapt or die

Cryptocurrencies, blockchain, and DeFi (Decentralized Finance) are not the future, they are here already whether people acknowledge it or not. It’s the crypto revolution that will disrupt and change the traditional banking landscape forever. Traditional banks don’t like it, to put it mildly, and their efforts to have crypto and its associated technologies and products outlawed, banned, declared illegal, and any other means to destroy the new king on the block(chain) have failed. They are having to adapt or die if they want to be relevant in the digital age of banking where transferring funds between crypto wallets costs less and cuts out the middleman. You don’t get charged exorbitant transaction and monthly fees as in traditional banks just to have an account.

Artificial Intelligence (AI), robots and so many other marvelous creations and trends out there that many including me don’t even know exist are topics on their own for another day.

New careers not confined to an office

The one I want to touch on because I’m invested in it is the “creator economy”. I say “touch on” because it deserves its own big story on another day. This article is more about how freelance writers can earn an income and some of the challenges involved. But as we are also part of the creator economy, hence some background.

It might surprise you to learn that there are more than 50 million content creators who earn an income through the creation of original content. Some may have full-time day jobs and make a secondary income as a part-time side hustle. The majority, however, go on their own and some eventually ditch their full-time jobs because they can make more as an independent content creator. And you are not confined to a single location. The world is your office and your laptop and phone are your tools. Have computer, will travel!

Online the new home of opportunities

The internet of course is at the heart of this and original content in all its forms is facilitated by appropriate software. Millions make a living from their online activities and opportunities are almost countless. We are not as reliant now on massive media corporations for news, or entertainment, for that matter. Their manipulation of news, fake news being an example, to influence the public is being eroded steadily, and people now often hear the “breaking news” on social media long before it gets communicated through mainstream media such as television, radio, or newspapers.

The new entrepreneurs

We can also call content creators micro-entrepreneurs and most of them don’t start their content creation venture with access to funds as traditional entrepreneurs often do. A computer or cellphone (mobile), and wif-fi are all you need. One report states that the generation of micro-entrepreneurs was worth $20 billion in 2021, and some estimates are that it could grow to over $102 billion this year (2022).

Some with deep pockets have obviously seen the potential here with venture capital worth $800 million already invested in the creator economy. Wow! Writing platforms, videos on YouTube and TikTok, images on Instagram, and numerous freelance photograph platforms and social media are the most obvious examples of how and where this content is displayed.

Innovate and create

Content creators, curators, and community builders fuel this trend by creating content and marketing and selling their products through their online shops created on a multitude of monetized platforms. The currency is originality and competition is tough and growing. It’s becoming somewhat of a rat race out there. According to Influencer MarketingHub, 29% of American kids want to be a YouTube star.

PayPal vs Stripe

I registered on several freelance writing platforms, Medium, Vocal, Substack, and Simily a few months ago as a means to supplement my small monthly social grant with another income stream.

Unfortunately my country South Africa is not on Stripe's eligible country list and these platforms, with the exception of Simily which also supports Paypal accounts, only have the Stripe option available for payment.

Something for nothing

This means that I now publish on these platforms with no chance of accessing any payment I may receive according to the respective reader views, follower, subscriber, and referral algorithms. To put it bluntly, writing for nothing in return. As long as Medium, Vocal, and Substack continue using Stripe as the only payment option available for contributors they are the only winners here. Besides appreciative readers of course.

It would be an interesting exercise if possible to work out the percentage ratio of "unpaywalled" writers to paywalled writers on Medium, Vocal, and Substack.

There are of course many other writers in the same sad position as me because their countries are not Stripe eligible. PayPal is such an obvious alternative.

For me, the satisfaction of creating original content and gaining followers only goes so far no matter how much I love and enjoy writing. Financial reward, however small, is a great motivator.

Coffee aroma

After seeing a Ko‑fi button at the end of a Medium story, I checked out the platform and was immediately hooked. Why? Because it has Stripe and PayPal as payment options. I subsequently registered on this platform the same day around a week ago (March 2022). I now have a Ko‑fi link that I will pin at the end of each story I publish and on my bio where readers can donate or tip by buying me a cup of coffee if they enjoyed my article.

Every cup of coffee bought for me, therefore, is greatly savored and much appreciated. Is that coffee I’m smelling, or is it Ko-fi?

For the payment option, a quick click on PayPal or Stripe. Paypal does the trick for this writer.

I'm still finding my way around Ko‑fi so it will take a while to build up my Page and hopefully a solid follower and supporter base.

Writing is thirsty work and if you enjoyed this story how about visiting my page on Ko-fi at https://ko-fi.com/scabcorner49566 and buying me a cup of coffee? Also, feel free to check out my writing editing, and rewriting services available in the Commissions section. Thank you.