an essay
Scott Heiferman of Meetup.com fame has a slew of notes on whether it's advisable to call your online customers "patrons". The term makes a lot of sense in the online services arena, particularly for projects that are based on open-source tools and/or non-coroporate business structures. It implies a supporting role, not just a financial exchange -- a cooperative relationship, where value is shared, not maximized in favor of the vendor.
But what bricks and mortar company would refer to it's customers (or guests!) as patrons? Artistic institutions. Hmmmm.
By Chris Snyder on June 25, 2003 at 12:51am