Now that the PayButton plugin allows me to monetize my content, I realize it’s a lot like running your own restaurant. The difference is that instead of selling food, you’re selling food for the soul.
While I’ve never run a restaurant before, it’s probably safe to assume that the goal of pretty much any restaurant is to generate as much profit as possible by satisfying as many customers as possible.
So, how do you go about doing this?
Obviously, the food you serve is important. It has to taste good, ideally you don’t want it to be too unhealthy, and it should leave your customers feeling fulfilled.
Here on my blog, the “food” I’m serving is my content. Just like a chef curates a menu, I’m crafting pieces that I hope resonate with my audience, offering them something valuable enough to be worth their time and money.
Which brings us to pricing. Just as a restauranteur has to figure out what the market will bear, PayButton allows you the flexibility to charge as little or as much as you want. By gauging market demand, you can also decide whether to be the kind of establishment that appeals to the masses or one that only serves a small audience but for a much higher price.
Of course, no restaurant thrives without repeat customers. Loyalty comes from consistency—delivering the best whenever someone walks through the door. For me, that means building trust with my readers. If they pay once and feel cheated, they’re not coming back. But if they leave satisfied, they might just become regulars and maybe even share my work with others.
The beauty of the new PayButton paywall plugin is it’s not about begging for tips or donations—it’s about creating a direct relationship between creator and consumer. It empowers any creator to experiment with their content, try different recipes and prices, and see what sticks. Creators can test the waters—maybe a bite-sized post for a small fee or a full-course deep dive for a higher price—all without relying on unpredictable ad revenue or begging for handouts. It’s a chance to build something sustainable, tweak the menu as you go, and find an audience willing to pay for what you have to offer.
I know I keep saying this, but we are still early. Right now, this blog might be the only “digital restaurant” in the world that accepts eCash, but I’m hoping others will soon follow. We’re at the edge of something big—think of it like the first diner to take credit cards back in the day.
As more creators and platforms see the potential of eCash, this little experiment could turn into a full-blown movement. My blog might be a lone outpost now, but one day, we might see a whole digital strip mall of blogs selling their content in exchange for XEC.
Early adopters pave the way, and I’m thrilled to be one of the first to flip the “open” sign on the front door.
Consider this meal complimentary, but dessert will cost you 100 XEC =)