Donations to Stronglifts

[Bigsham411]

EDIT by Mehdi:
This thead continues here: stronglifts.com/forum/discussion/711/
 
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Some of the blog posts about sucess, and how to reach your goals, even how will smith became who he is - these show Medhi's conviction to a mindset, not a workout plan.
People can connect with him and see his reasoning for what it is - sound advice and encouragement. He even recommends the books/products he uses rather than advertising for cash!
I feel like I've gotten more help from Medhi and Stronglifts than any other source for exercise information.
So I don't know about you guys, but I'd like to see him make a donation system available - something simple through paypal maybe, where everyone could show (even if it isn't all that much $$$-wise) their appreciation.
You have to remember now - he does all of this for free, and stays on these forums to give advice for free. Even the ebook is free!
I don't think Medhi will go for it, as I don't think he wants to just take anyones money, but come on - he provides a valuable ammount of information to us, and if there already is a donation system, please point me in the right direction!
what do you guys think?
-Sham
P.S. - I know the best donation you can make right now is spreading the word, and stumbling articles, but this discussion is more or less to throw the idea around.

[bluhorseshu]

It's a great idea. It's up to Mehdi but I do not believe he should feel like he's taking anyone's money. If people value the site to the point of wanted to make a voluntary donation... Why not!

B

[Mehdi]

Thanks for thinking at me Sham & B.
I've put a donation button at first on the blog. I removed it because I didn't felt ok with it, I feel it's like begging for money.
 

[Bigsham411]

It's not begging for money - especially since you do provide your members with so much. In my opinion it helps keep things free for myself and others. A community helps itself and sustains itself.
Maybe put a donation link in the forums only? like in the how you can help stronglifts thread... that way it's not sticking out at people who just are looking and reading for advice... Plus, even if you don't NEED the money, people who would donate feel like you DESERVE it. Alot of work goes into your posts and alot of time goes into your advice on the forums.
Hardwork deserves rewards, and it's not like we're talking huge donations - 5 dollars here, ten dollars there - maybe more. It ads up to keep the site advertisement-free (or to a minimum) longer. No ones fooled that a website can get as much traffic as stronglifts is bound to get can go on without ads. (especially since you've vowed to keep the ebook, posts, and forums free.)
Don't think of it as people giving you money, think of it as people giving stronglifts money. I know i wouldn't be able to give much in light of gym memberships and other things, but if people will pay for a trainer, why not help out a community that provides almost the same exact thing?
again, almost all of this is opinion, but I think you'd be hard-pressed to find a posting member on these forums who doesn't feel like they haven't got a lot for nothing... 
-Sham  
 

[Mouse]

Thanks for thinking at me Sham & B.
I've put a donation button at first on the blog. I removed it because I didn't felt ok with it, I feel it's like begging for money.
 

 
Have a word with yourself Mehdi - and call it a "Voluntary Contribution Fund" button instead, or even a "Give Mehdi a treat, buy him a steak" button.
 

[bentzurm]

I know this may mean just more work for Mehdi, but I would really like to see Stronglifts.com merchendise. That way Mehdi will be selling a product and not "begging for money" and people will be getting T-shirts they can wear in the gym and spread the good word. Most people here would be happy to let go of 20$ for a simple T with Stronglifts.com in bold on the back.

[KIB]

Yeah, lots of sites have "buy me a beer" or "coffee" for their donation button. You could have "buy me a whey supplement shake" button! Or a teaspoon of glutamine!

[Mehdi]

You might not see it that way, but without readers this blog wouldn't have got this far. I'm already receiving.
Don't worry about ads btw, if that was my plan, I would have done it long time ago.

[Mouse]

bentzurm - agree with that - i'm a sucker for t-shirts ot polo shirts - i'd probably buy 2 !
 
Think this is a great idea Mehdi - it's an easy way to spread the word as you may talk to 1 person at the gym, but 10 -20 people may see the t-shirt and look at the site - great for advertising.
 

[Mouse]

Yeah, lots of sites have "buy me a beer" or "coffee" for their donation button. You could have "buy me a whey supplement shake" button! Or a teaspoon of glutamine!

 
KIB - have you learnt nothing - whole foods - hence "buy me a Steak" button
 
 

[Kyle]

There should deff be a stronglifts merchandise store (cafepress?)

[Mouse]

Come on Mehdi - lets have some t-shirts !!!!

[KIB]

 
KIB - have you learnt nothing - whole foods - hence "buy me a Steak" button

But with more whey shakes, he wouldn't have to eat steak!

[jdurando]

Thanks for thinking at me Sham & B.
I've put a donation button at first on the blog. I removed it because I didn't felt ok with it, I feel it's like begging for money.
 

Could you possibly put up something for those of us who wish to make a donation to a fund for the creation of a Logo for Stronglifts, After that it would be an easy thing to get T Shirts etc made up. 
I would like to be the first to donate to a fund like this - it would really mean alot to me if you could.
Besides if you dont create something like that I have a sneaking suspicion that someone on here will create one for you and just put up a post for everyone to make a donation to - it would be much easier for you if you could do it from the beginning rather than have to go through the hastle of making changes to an account that someone would setup on behalf of Stronglifts.
 
 

[bpd]

Who is taking orders for the T-Shirts?