On Ko-fi links and goals for YouTube

I don’t like to write meta posts. However, I wanted to publish some notes on why I added Ko-fi links to my blog, how that applies to Never Monetize, and my plans for my YouTube channel in 2026.

Adding Ko-fi links

Honestly, I was unsure about creating a Ko-fi and linking to it on this blog. It had never crossed my mind until a very nice person emailed me and asked if there was a way they could send me a tip. This happened near the end of November and I’ve been thinking about since. I have been conflicted because I am very clear about not ever monetizing this blog.

Don’t get me wrong, I think if you choose to monetize a thing that is totally okay. I think if you want to monetize something you should tell the followers that your plan is to eventually do so. Then the followers know that at some point you plan to make money somehow on the thing. Whether that is blogs, fanfic, or open source software, say it up front. Say, “My plan is to monetize this project at some point and this is what that means.” That could be advertising, subscriptions, or even sell the property. Simply have that information available from the beginning.

The reason I link to Never Monetize on my blog is because I will never monetize it. No ads, sponsored posts, affiliate links, paywall, etc.

However, I consider a tip jar different. All the posts will always be free as in beer and as in freedom. But, if you want to kick me a few bucks, who am I to stop you?

YouTube plans

My YouTube channel is different. This is a commercial platform that will monetize my videos and I deserve a piece of that. Explicitly: My plans for YouTube are to monetize through ad sharing revenue. I will also consider affliate links and product review payment if that situation ever arises.

I have made a lot of videos over the years, but nothing in the last three. I decided recently to take another stab at it. My thoughts are:

• I enjoyed making videos when I did it previously.
• I have some ideas on new content to make for my channel.
• I would like to earn extra money.

As I’ve started writing more about my personal life on this here blog I’ve been very open about being poor. I would like to find a way to earn extra money in my off-time without having to leave the house. I enjoy being around my family. I do not want to take on a second job that takes me away from them more than I already am. So, let’s try YouTube again.

All that being said, I will always be true to my ethics. I will never publish a video of something I don’t believe in, spread misinformation, or make “content” just to earn as much money as I can. I want to make videos about my tech passions (Linux, Android, homelabbing, ChromeOS, tech upcycling) and talk about my life experiences (growing up and living poor, working blue collar, chasing a marketing career, being married to someone I worship, raising 4 kids, owing a business). The channel will be uniquely me. If I earn some money from that, cool.

What’s next

I already added links to the blog for Ko-fi if anyone ever feels the urge to send me a tip. Getting tips from this blog is not part of my plans to earn extra money. It is simply a tip jar. If I get a couple/few a year that would be more than I’m expecting.

I posted a new YouTube video today as a “Hello World” test. I needed to flex my YouTube muscles again and do a test run on making something, even if it was poorly planned. I know if the long term goal is to monetize I need to publish frequently, so I’m getting notes together on what I would like to publish.

We will see how this plays out.

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If you enjoy the random stuff I write here, post to Mastodon, or watch on YouTube, and are feeling generous, I am open to tips of Ko-fi.