Start with three suggested tip amounts: a low option around $3–$5, a middle option about 1.5–2 times the low, and a high option about 2–4 times the middle. This is FanBell’s practical editorial framework, not a universal research finding; test it against completed tip transactions and adjust for audience behavior and fees.
Fee information last verified August 2026.
This page focuses on the numbers. For the complete setup—including what a tip is, where it appears, and how it compares with other ways to get paid—read the pillar guide to accepting tips online. For help labeling each amount, see what to write on a creator tip page.
Why should you show three suggested amounts?
FanBell recommends three presets as an internal usability framework: one accessible amount, one target amount, and one higher-support option. This is a practical design recommendation, not a claim that three choices universally produce better conversion or that fans will automatically select the middle option.
A single “Tip $5” button creates a yes-or-no decision. Three amounts instead communicate a range while remaining easy to scan. FanBell does not recommend two options because they lack a distinct middle tier; adding five or six presets may make a simple tip menu harder to scan, although creators should test what works for their own audiences.
With a Tips offer, creators can configure preset amounts for fans to select when paying (how it works, verified August 2026).
What should the low, middle, and high amounts be?
There is no universally correct set of suggested tips. As FanBell’s starting framework, set the middle amount at about 1.5–2 times the low amount and the high amount at about 2–4 times the middle amount.
| Tier | FanBell starting rule | Example amount |
|---|---|---|
| Low | An accessible “any amount helps” option | $3 |
| Middle | About 1.5–2 times the low amount | $5 |
| High | About 2–4 times the middle amount | $10–$15 |
Treat these ratios as test settings rather than proven conversion benchmarks. Your eventual amounts should reflect your other prices, your audience’s purchase history, and the fees deducted from each payment.
Before publishing your presets:
- Prefer easy-to-scan amounts. Round figures such as $5 and $10 are clearer at a glance than $4.50 and $9.75. This is a readability recommendation, not a claim that round prices always convert better.
- Keep the low option accessible. Its purpose is to make contributing possible for more fans, even though fixed processing costs reduce the amount retained from a small payment.
- Keep the high option visible. A suggested top amount gives generous fans a quick choice without requiring them to enter a custom figure.
- Use the middle amount as your target. Do not assume it will be the most popular option; verify that through completed transactions.
Which preset ladders can different creators test?
These are illustrative starting points, not results from a platform-wide FanBell conversion study.
| Creator situation | Low | Middle | High | Why test this ladder |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| New creator with little purchase history | $3 | $5 | $10 | Keeps the entry point accessible while establishing whether fans will tip |
| Established creator with regular low-priced sales | $5 | $10 | $20 | Raises the target while preserving a straightforward doubling pattern |
| Creator already selling higher-priced services | $5 | $10 | $25 | Adds a more substantial support option for fans accustomed to paying more |
Creators who already sell Creator Services or Personalized Shoutouts can compare tip behavior with the prices fans already accept. These examples are starting configurations; they do not guarantee a particular average tip or conversion rate.
How should you adjust presets for your audience?
Adjust the base amounts according to what your audience already pays:
- Smaller or newer audiences: Test $3/$5/$10 or a similar conservative spread before raising the ceiling.
- Established audiences: Consider increasing all three amounts if fans regularly purchase higher-priced offers.
- Audiences with limited purchase history: Start conservatively, retain the same presets long enough to observe completed payments, and change only one amount at a time.
- Mixed-budget audiences: Keep an accessible low preset and allow custom entry so fans are not restricted to your suggested figures.
FanBell has no follower minimum for accepting tips (how it works, verified August 2026). Audience size may influence the amounts you suggest, but it does not determine eligibility; can small creators accept tips addresses that distinction in more detail.
How do fees affect suggested tip amounts?
FanBell is free to start, has no monthly fee, and applies a 12% platform fee only when a fan pays (pricing, verified August 2026).
Stripe processing is separate. Stripe lists typical US online-card processing at 2.9% plus $0.30 per transaction (Stripe pricing, verified August 2026). International cards, currency conversion, and other payment methods can cost more, so creators should check Stripe’s current pricing for the countries and payment types relevant to their audiences.
| Suggested tip | Platform fee (12%) | Stripe processing (typical) | Approx. take-home |
|---|---|---|---|
| $5 | $0.60 | ~$0.45 | ~$3.95 |
| $10 | $1.20 | ~$0.59 | ~$8.21 |
| $25 | $3.00 | ~$1.03 | ~$20.97 |
Calculation method: tip − FanBell fee − Stripe processing. Each estimate uses FanBell’s 12% platform fee (pricing, verified August 2026) and Stripe’s typical US online-card rate of 2.9% plus $0.30 (Stripe pricing, verified August 2026). Results are approximate because of rounding and payment-specific Stripe costs.
Using those verified rates, a $5 tip has a $0.60 FanBell fee and approximately $0.45 in Stripe processing, leaving approximately $3.95 before taxes. A $25 tip has a $3.00 FanBell fee and approximately $1.03 in Stripe processing, leaving approximately $20.97 before taxes.
Because Stripe’s typical rate includes a fixed $0.30 charge, processing consumes a larger proportion of a small payment. That fee structure supports testing a low preset around $3–$5 instead of $1–$2, although affordability for your audience should remain the primary consideration.
How should you test suggested tip amounts?
Use a consistent review process rather than changing presets in response to one or two payments:
- Publish one three-tier ladder. Record the date, amounts, and labels.
- Run the initial setup for at least 30 days. If you have fewer than 20 completed tip transactions, extend the test until you reach 20.
- Review the selection mix. Count how many fans selected the low, middle, high, or custom amount, and calculate the approximate take-home after fees.
- Change one preset at a time. For example, keep the low and middle amounts fixed while testing a higher top option.
- Repeat the same review window. Compare completed transactions and take-home value, not page views alone.
The 30-day and 20-transaction thresholds are FanBell’s practical editorial testing protocol, not statistical-significance standards. They reduce the risk of reacting to a very small sample while remaining usable for creators who do not receive tips every day.
How should you write copy for each amount?
Amounts alone do not explain why a fan might choose $5 instead of $10. A short label can provide context, such as “buy me a coffee” or “cover an hour of editing,” provided it accurately describes what the contribution supports.
For a complete labeling framework, read what to write on a creator tip page. If you have not chosen a tool yet, the roundup of tip jar options for creators compares how different platforms handle presets and fees.
Frequently asked questions
Should I let fans enter a custom amount?
Yes. Offer custom entry alongside presets rather than using it as a replacement. Presets provide quick reference points, while custom entry allows a fan to contribute more or choose a different affordable amount.
How often should I change suggested tip amounts?
Review your presets after at least 30 days and 20 completed tip transactions. Change them sooner only when something material changes, such as the prices of your other offers. Avoid weekly changes because a few transactions may not reveal a repeatable pattern.
Should tip presets differ between Instagram and YouTube?
Not automatically. Base the amounts on the behavior of the audience reaching your FanBell page rather than the referring platform alone. If the audiences overlap or purchase similarly, one range may be sufficient; if completed transaction data shows a material difference, test adjusted presets.
Do suggested tips need to match my other offer prices?
No, but they should form a logical pricing ladder. A tip is generally a low-friction offer, so keeping the high preset below a Creator Service or Personalized Shoutout can make the distinction between support and a paid deliverable easier to understand.
Ready to set your own presets? Create your free FanBell link and add a Tips offer with the amounts that fit your audience.
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