CCC Posted October 13, 2017 Posted October 13, 2017 So 2 months ago I started a group online where I could do Tarot & Oracle readings to those who joined the group. I've been keeping the group private & small so that I do not overwhelm myself while I build this group up. I've been offering Free Tarot/Oracle readings once a week and have set up a Paypal link and explained the time & energy a reader puts into each reading and asked that people in the group make Donations of their choice in turn for tarot readings, outside of the Free readings I offer. My problem is that most in the group will volunteer for Free readings when I offer them up (all free readings I post on the group page so that all members can watch the reading via video) and the readings are accurate and helpful and those same people will always volunteer themselves for other free readings again and again. The problem is that despite the accuracy and fun the group is having No One is Donating a single cent!! What can I do to inform the group just how much energy & time goes into these readings? (I have a beautifully set up table with decorations, I record each Free video readings which takes 30mins or more and cause of slow Internet another 30mins or often longer to upload those very same videos. I easily spend 2 hours of my time doin just 1 free reading more if I do multiples, with positive feedback. How do I get them to donate? Even a $1.00. I feel unappreciated.
Little Fang Posted October 13, 2017 Posted October 13, 2017 When it gets to the point of people taking advantage of you and your skills, I would take whatever reviews and testimonials you get from these free readings and then open up a shop with payment involved. You might do an occasional, maybe once or twice a month donation reading day, but make sure you are sending people to your site! Give them smaller readings, leave them wanting to purchase something bigger? I know it's hard, and when you start charging people tend to drift off and seek out other free readers. However if you've built this fan base, some may stick around or recommend you to others. It's always a tricky thing when it comes from trying to get paid for your skills. Hang in there. You are appreciated!
Trogon Posted October 13, 2017 Posted October 13, 2017 There is a very old saying; "why buy the cow when you're getting the milk for free?" (Granted, it originally referred to pre-marital sex ... but the idea is the same.) If you give away the readings, people are going to take them. And, being on the Internet, where people aren't interacting face-to-face with you makes it even easier to blow you off. Just ask any webcomic artist what percentage of their readers actually hit the "donate" button or give via Patreon. Having said that, I think that Little Fang's suggestions are excellent. Setting up a web store for those readings can make a difference. Also, depending on where you live, see if you can set up in a local coffee bar or tea shop. Obviously, you'll want to check with the owner/manager and make sure it's okay with them. Then you can put up a tip jar ... it'll be a little more difficult for someone who just got an awesome reading to just walk away. Though you will have to resign yourself to the fact that some people will and let them go with your blessing. Another thing that might loosen people's wallets in that scenario is to put up a small sign that says that tips are shared with the wait-staff (if you're willing to do that).
EmpyreanKnight Posted October 15, 2017 Posted October 15, 2017 That's just how people are, I guess. When you do make the transition from being a donation(heh)-based to a paid reader, make sure that you won't seem bitter if you do opt to bring up how previously, no one gave you even a single red cent for all those awesome readings. Otherwise you'd end up squandering all that good will you built up. Better yet, skip that and just focus on delivering a positive message that would explain the change. You can even "thank" those who gave you such good reviews for their having helped you improve your craft, while asking them to please continue supporting you etc etc. I know you can do this! :)
Page of Ghosts Posted October 15, 2017 Posted October 15, 2017 Offering some ideas as a complete pleib who isn't doing paid readings myself, by the way: Like others have said I also think that's how people are. I think offering free readings as often as once a week might be a bit too frequent, so people don't see the need to pay for one when they can get one for free next week. I don't know if you started this up as a way to practice, but you could say that you now feel more confident in your skills after all that practice and wanna move on to mostly paid readings instead. With that much work I also think you deserve to be paid. I think I've seen a few different way to go about it. A person might have one free reading and then the next would have to be paid. If you wanna keep the donation system you could make it $1 minimum (or whatever you think is fair and accessible) for any reading. If you in general wanna transition to fairly priced readings but wanna give out those cheap, almost free readings (with a $1 or whatever minimum) I still think less often than once a week would be good if you wanna keep them rare, once in a while oppurtunities for your group.
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