Should my tutorials be FREE or PAID FOR?

This has been an ongoing debate for a while now. I've been asked by many people why I do not charge for my tutorials. Why do I share so much knowledge for Free.

Yes, it does take a long time to make these tutorials, write blog posts, write Tip Thursdays, prepare Recipe Cards and other tutorial collages.


It's very time consuming to prepare the material, capture my work on video, and edit and publish the video.
So yes, it is no wonder that people are surprised that I do it for free?

The main reason behind this is...
When I grew up there was no Internet or YouTube for me to find recipes or tutorials. As a child of a single parent I felt deprived because my mother could not afford to provide us with many things. What bothered me most was the unwillingness of people to share their recipes or share their knowledge.I believe we should all have the opportunity to learn and money should not be a barrier to knowledge.

My first three videos were - A Princess Cake, A Car Cake and An Anniversary cake. My only purpose was that any woman should be able to  make her son or daughter or husband a nice cake.

That attracted a lot of cake enthusiast and aspiring cake decorators to ask me for more videos and my journey to sharing has not stopped to date.Another reason why I continued to share my knowledge was the heart felt and inspiring comments I received.  Here are just two of the many comments.

Comment I

Veena, I love you, I love you, I love you so much.. You are my star. Some day I hope I will have an opportunity to meet you in person and tell you how much your tutorials have helped me. Here in SA we don't have many options to learn or buy things and when they are available they are expensive.. Your tutorials and recipes have helped so much. The best thing about you is that you explain so well that a novice like me feels so confident. All your recipes are perfect... Otieno..read more..

Comment II
I am so; so happy and it's all because of you and your kindness to share.. I have been following both your blogs for a white now. I have tried quite a few recipes. All of which my family loved very much.
I made a car cake for my son using your video, and a Smurf face for my daughter.
This year I decided to celebrate my father in laws birthday at my home, usually my sister in law or mother in law does the celebrations. ..read more...Everything was so perfect. My father in law and everybody was surprised that I cooked. Even my mother in law said she was very impressed with my food and choices. My husband was so proud and my kids were so happy to see everyone come to our home. I can't tell you how happy I am - I hope you can sense it.
Thank you so much for sharing your recipes, tips and tutorials so freely.
You are very special, I know that some day you will have fifty thousand likes and no one will be surprised, cause you truly deserve it. A big hug from Georgia, US  Erica 


Of course, I too have a family to provide for.  While I love making tutorials and helping out It does take time away from my cake orders and from my family. 

So I would like to ask for your contribution.

You can contribute any amount that you want, or find appropriate for the value that you receive.
Your contributions will enable me to continue making my tutorials and how-to videos, as well as share other useful information through my blogs and other mediums.

This Donate box will be found on my blog on your right at all times.  You can choose how much and when you want to contribute.

And yet, you are not required to make a contribution and can continue to enjoy free access to all of the content that I share online.

Please contribute here:

 

Please share with your friends

When I share my own tutorials on forum or other pages it looks like I'm soliciting for new likes. In fact, what I'm trying to do is share the knowledge through my Tip Thursday or Recipe Cards.

So, I would appreciate if you could help me by spreading the word. Sharing my tutorials on your Facebook and other places where you see the need.  If you see a question popped on a forum and know that the answer is on my blog or Facebook. Do direct them accordingly.
There are some tutorials that cannot be made for free because that would be unfair to my fellow cake decorators who sell their valuable tutorials. I do intend to make some PDF tutorials which will be reasonably priced. These will be tutorials that really use a lot more of my time to create.  

Last but not the least. Thank you for all your support and appreciation. It is your support and kind feedback that makes me a better cake decorator and a better person everyday.


Thanks for stopping by.