PBS is SO “Square”
Square, a mobile payment system that makes the act of accepting credit cards very easy, was unveiled in early December 2009.
Here’s how Square works: A small device attaches to the phone via the headset/microphone jack. The device gets the power it needs to send data to the phone from the swipe of the card, and sends the information over the microphone connection. The device is compatible with both the iPhone and Android. It’s similar in some ways to PayPal, but anyone can now accept physical credit card payments, too. With no contracts or monthly fees. People are sent receipts by text and email.
It was quickly adopted for local fundraising because of it’s ease of use. But since then, the technology has largely flown under the radar of mainstream awareness. So, when it was announced that both Obama & Romney were creating special apps to utilize Square’s payment system for local fundraising, I wanted to know if any local PBS stations had tried this idea.
I posted a question to the CAC group on Facebook as to whether any local stations had ever used this particular device to help raise donations at local events. From the few responses I received, it seemed that most were aware of the technology around mobile donations but only KCPT had used Square as their payment system.
I think Square is something every station should look into using for local events. Five dollars here and there might add up over time. And the idea of micro payments is one that the general public is very used to seeing.
At the Washington Car Show last weekend I noticed that PBS had a booth on the show floor where parents could drop off their kids to watch PBS KIDS shows and get their picture taken with the characters. If WHUT also had a system such as Square in place, how many parents would have given $5 in donation for such a great service? And so what if the donations are small? Getting people used to giving in return for a service like PBS is of no small value. That small idea could pay back 10x when pledge time rolls around.
