If you have read the information about Gather's point system. You may have read these words:
In the beginning, those in the cash system will earn just a little. But as the Gather membership grows and advertising revenue increases, those on the cash system could earn a living on Gather alone.
Those words are in the area talking about the cash system. If you have watched your points, at all, you know they are not just flying in. They are slow and take a lot of work to get.
Maybe I have had to much time to think but I can not imagine, how you could actually live off your earnings on Gather.com. I know they say "could" not "will" but I can't imagine how much writing you would have to do, to make a living off this site.
What do you think? Do you think anyone will ever be able to make a living off Gather.com?
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Comments: 60
But I read somewhere on here that someone had like more than 2 million points. So that sounds like enough for a living, don't you think? I am not saying everyone can do this, but I don't doubt *someone* can.
I have seen some post-whore activities here. Some people would post comments with no value or little sense. Other than to get more points, what would have been the purpose?
I have to say that I've been impressed by how quickly the points add up. Not that I have any huge amount but when I first read about the points system, I assumed I'd be looking at maybe one point a week and then it'd take decades to get anything worthwhile. I mean, sure, the points could go faster and I wouldn't complain one bit, but I'm happy with what I have so far.
Totally agree with that! I have already seen a fair amount of copy-and-pasting or postings that are lack of substance. It is actually making me less interested in posting my own stuff.
Tom Gerace did say a few weeks ago in one of his LIVE WITH THE CEO - TODAY articles...June? that the points algorithm MAY shift upward as Gather continues to grow in revenue...
All that said, I seriously doubt that even people who SUPPOSEDLY get a lot of points are able to earn anything other than what Tom Gerace has called "Beer Money."
My points money goes for books for the kids...
1) Are points earned for publishing an article, regardless of the quality of the article?
2) Is this across-the-board profit sharing, in which we are splitting our share with someone who posts an article containing only a one line link to a free guitar pick by clicking on that article, rating it ten, and leaving a comment?
3) Does a three line article about nothing earn as much as someone else's researched article or well-written story?
4) When a member publishes the same article three times, without changes, does it earn the same each time?
I also happen to think you'd have to do a LOT of copy and pasting to get the kind of cash you'd need to support even one person.
http://www.gather.com/viewImage.jsp?fileId=3096224743876427
and I let you know what (if any) difference it makes in my points.
At first I thought points took terribly long to build. When honestly participating, it is amazing how quickly they grow. As to making a living? Who me...with my little scribbles, that's hysterical.
Maybe for the really good writers, some kind of editorical board could be set up.
Again, if money is the goal, anything goes.
There is one easy way, but I have not tried it yet. What if I keep shooting single word comments like "Wow" or "LOL" whole day long!
I have noticed some people just post a sentence or two just to get people to vote or comment. :-(
I didn't join or am here for the points or possible monetary gain, although it would be wonderful if it happens.........but I do believe in offering my support to good ideas and writing efforts of others.
;-)
Which, in most cases, feeds my nasty need to write fiction on Gather habit too.
I'm in a vicious cycle...
and we are just the content for gather inc advertising revenue-- and if you don't live in the US, the the points are opointless anyway
but also my points going up ssssslllllooooowwww lol hugs all
However, I think if Gather would clean up and run smooth now. The person or people behind it, could have something good here. If they built this right, there would be no need to sell because they would make money as well as it's members. There are a lot of flaws in Gather. It's not hopeless but something they better get on top of now. Guess this could sink or swim.
Getting the 3000 points necessary to earn $50 in a month has previously eluded me, despite my contributing a lot of articles and comments, but this month it looks like I will finally make it. I can't imagine anyone making more than $50 a month on Gather for the foreseeable future, however.
you have to focus on The Point
your goal may only have to be
to pay your greedy ISP.
My kids love to read and I'm a student teacher and going to be teaching soon. I'm in it for the Barnes and Noble gift cards - and well because I love to write and am very opinionated. I've already started a private group for my family and a public group for student teachers. I wonder if it would be smarter to do a group for writers or just join an already formed group for writers.
I don't see how anyone could totally live on what they could make at Gather, and with so many people trying to find a way to make a living online--or even just to make some "mad money"-- and finding their way to Gather by the droves, I doubt I doubt the powers that be will change the point system enough to radically alter the amount of points given for various activities here.
See you all at B&N one day, maybe? *lol*
I don't know...I am sure time will tell if we can make a living...I would love to make money here. It is an enjoyable pass time and being a stay at home mom even a hundred bucks a month would be nice. Though I refuse to leave 6000 "I didn't think and left a single line comment" type of comments...