Why has your virtual coffee just gained in value?
As Creators, we often fall into the trap of the “low entry threshold.” We think that PLN 5 is a safe amount that won’t discourage anyone. But at buycoffee.to, we know that your work is worth far more than a “symbolic five” — it represents years of research, hours of editing, and the authentic relationship you build with your community.
From May 1, we are introducing a new default coffee price list: PLN 10, PLN 20, and PLN 35. Of course, if you have ever changed the default price list on your profile, it will remain unchanged.
Why is this change so important for your personal brand, and how will it affect your audience?
Why does the brain like it when things are “more expensive”?
From the perspective of neuroeconomics, price is not just a number - it is a powerful signal of your competence. Here is how your fan’s brain interprets price:
Higher prices activate the reward system: a higher amount more strongly stimulates the nucleus accumbens in the brain, creating a greater expectation of “something special” and increased satisfaction from the purchase.
A low price can act as a warning signal: pricing yourself too low, for example at PLN 5, may activate the anterior insula — the area responsible for negative emotions - suggesting low quality or a Creator’s desperation.
The brain processes expert status and economic value in the same areas. If you price yourself low, your status in the eyes of your audience automatically decreases.
The marketing placebo effect, or how price improves results
Did you know that price affects how your audience “consumes” your knowledge? This is known as the marketing placebo effect. Researchers have shown that people who pay full price for a product experience greater satisfaction than those who buy it at a discount. Price is part of the experience of your creative work. When you lower your price, you lower your value in the customer’s mind.
A supporter who buys you a coffee for PLN 20 or PLN 35 subconsciously values your materials more, listens to them more attentively, and is more likely to engage in the comments, helping build your reach and increase your engagement rates. It is a win-win situation: you earn more, and your fan gets more value from your work.
How will the price change affect your community?
Changing the default amounts is an excellent tool for attracting more engaged fans. At buycoffee.to, we want you to create with the feeling that a loyal community stands behind your success.
A price list that starts at a higher value attracts people who respect your time, understand the value of experience, and seek an authentic relationship - not just a bargain.
This way, you avoid entitled people operating in “low energy,” who often generate the most expectations and conflicts despite making the smallest contributions.
Why is PLN 20 the “Golden Mean”?
Raising the threshold itself is only half the success. The real magic happens in the proportions. The PLN 10–20–35 structure in the default one-time coffee price list is not a random suggestion.
Most people subconsciously avoid extremes. The lowest amount, PLN 10, may feel “too modest” for someone who truly values your work. The highest amount, PLN 35, is perceived as premium. The brain, seeking safety and rationality, most often chooses the middle option.
PLN 10 is the new “base”: moving from PLN 5 to PLN 10 changes the way the supporter categorizes the expense. It is no longer “getting rid of spare change,” but a conscious micro-payment.
PLN 20 is the psychological golden mean: thanks to the presence of the PLN 35 option, PLN 20 feels like a reasonable, balanced compromise. If the highest option were PLN 20 and the middle option were PLN 15, many users would move down to the lowest amount. With PLN 35 as the upper threshold, PLN 20 becomes an economical, reasonable act of gratitude.
The anchoring effect, or why do we need PLN 35?
Even if most of your fans do not immediately choose a PLN 35 coffee, its presence is crucial to the decision-making process. In neuromarketing and sales psychology, this technique is known as the anchoring effect.
When a user sees PLN 35 as one of the options, that number becomes the point of reference. Compared to it, PLN 20 looks like a “good deal,” while PLN 10 feels almost symbolic. Without the highest threshold, PLN 20 would be perceived as the “expensive option” — with it, PLN 20 becomes the default choice.
Notice that we did not round every amount to full tens, for example PLN 10, 20, and 30. The jump from PLN 20 to PLN 35 is intentional. In neuromarketing, larger gaps between the “standard” and “premium” options help segment audiences more effectively. PLN 35 suggests that you offer value that goes beyond a simple “thank you.” It signals that your creative work has real market weight.
How will the price change affect your community?
When designing this price list, we removed the decision-making burden from your supporter. They do not have to wonder, “How much should I give?” We give them three clear signals: “I support you” at PLN 10, “I appreciate you” at PLN 20, or “I love your work” at PLN 35. Guess which one they are most likely to choose?
Changing the default amounts is an excellent tool for attracting engaged fans. At buycoffee.to, we want you to create with the feeling that a loyal community stands behind your success.
A price list that starts at a higher value attracts people who respect your time, understand the value of experience, and seek an authentic relationship — not just a bargain.
This way, you avoid entitled people operating in “low energy,” who often generate the most expectations and conflicts despite making the smallest contributions.