For open hardware projects, the obvious reward is a physical object. For free cultural works, a nicely presented, aesthetically pleasing physical copy of the works could be a lovely memento (even if on a DVD rather than dead tree). For free software, a little more creativity is required as we so rarely arrive at software via a physical medium these days. Then again a copy of your software on a floppy disk (if you can fit it on) could be a really retro treat.
Physical things
make sure you have a nice logo / design team!
- Stickers (great for laptops)
- Postcards
- Clothing – t-shirts, hats, pens
- Mug/coffee cup
- Keyring
- USB drive
- 3D printed object (of the logo? or something useful?)
Virtual things
- Warm fuzzies (i.e. nothing)
- Attribution on a website/Twitter shoutout/blog mention/etc
- Digital wallpaper
Software things
- Sponsored commit (acknowledge a donor in the commit message)
- Copy of the sofware on a CD (…)
- Early access to src (exclusive beta testing!)
- Personal easter egg in the software
- Influence/suggestions over features
- Support (over email/video/in person)
- Access to a hosted service/custom install
- Extra theme (conditional on a number of people signing at that level e.g. Mailpile‘s ‘Paranoid Android’)
Extravagant things
- Personal visit/video hangout
- Personally cooked meal
- Flowers
- Invite to launch event
- Road trip