A different way to monetize your content.
A free content website where you can pay as you like for the content you like to pay for. To make micropayments, you pre-purchase site credits for fixed amounts ($1 for 100 credits, $5 for 600 credits, etc.), and you can spend these on articles you enjoyed by simply filling in the right amount on the content page. Each content page also shows how many credits it has earned from visitors.
For the merchant, it’s income you can count on (and on the customer coming back.) For the regular buyer, it’s a better deal both financially and as a convenience.
Offer your frequent regular clients to pre-pay a certain monthly amount (based on their past records) in exchange for better deals and special VIP service (for instance they can phone in or send an email with their requests and a personal shopper will handpick and prepare them for shipping or pick up.)
A different way that might make more money (and sense.)
Put up a poster advertising that your show will start in X minutes – if enough money was deposited into a special box. The box shows how much money has been given, and when it’s close to the minimum target, it shows how much is still needed for the show to start. The poster should also advertise and “sell” the performance since that is the only base for payment the viewers have. A small screen with video highlights can also be used. The box should also stay open to donations during the show.