[freediver]

I agree with everything you say. The 'subscribe and like buttons' would not help your conversion with HN readers, on the contrary. Trying to run this for profit also would not help your conversion with this audience.

So given your setup is already ideal for 'conversions' for this population (low profile, high integrity, no BS) I was simply genuinely surprised that only 11 people converted given enormous visibility/interest this thread had. Hope that makes sense.

[marginalia_nu]

I think it simply takes time to build trust. The threshold to sending someone money is high. I probably wouldn't send someone money based on a proof of concept and lofty ambitions alone.

I'd absolutely consider sending someone money if they kept bringing something of value into my life. If I want more people to join the patreon, I'll just have to earn their trust and support.