Breaking 3,000: Want to break 3,000 points this February?

It's the shortest month of the year, sure. But if you haven't broken 3,000 points yet (let alone the current point value cash-equivalent to $50) and are looking to make it big -- why not try this month?

Here's what you need to do:
1) Post some articles. Or pictures. Or video. Or all of the above. Okay, this is a given, I'm sure -- every day, you should be trying to post at least two or three pieces of content that someone might be interested in. The more you post, and the more people appreciate what you posted, the more likely you are to reach that goal. If you have a good idea, write it down somewhere and make it into an article.

2) Keep score. It's a bit late to start now, you say? No, it isn't. Just look at your points total - right now -- and add 3,000 to that. That's going to be your basic goal. Every day, write an article to track your points goal, where you're at so far, and how many points you'd have to earn each day to make that goal. It'll get you one article per day right off the bat, and all you had to do was some basic math and writing.

3) Go out there and find some things to comment on! That might sound like a daunting challenge, but groups like Comment Speedway and Rating Resurrectionists regularly post articles that feature large numbers of content that needs more comments, ratings, and other attention. If you don't have anything better to comment on at the moment, just check in on groups like these every day (right after you've written that article to keep track of your points so far) and comment on whatever catches your interest. It'll help out others, and it'll help out you!

4) Don't panic. Get into a routine and stick with it -- whether that routine is as complicated as having regular series that you post on a daily basis or on a specific time of the week, or as simple as just regularly checking the Articles For Me section to see what your friends are up to whenever you're waiting for another webpage to load.

5) Don't worry about the points. Sounds paradoxical, right? Seriously, don't worry too much about how well you're doing -- keeping track will help you figure out whether you're doing better, but you don't have to reach that magic 3,000 this month. If you can get close, you'll know that you're on the right track and be even better prepared for next month -- and even if you don't get nearly close enough, you'll still have the points to show for your efforts. (Note that if you do manage to get to that magic "$50 worth in a month" level, you'll be able to turn ALL of your currently held points into cash -- which means that if you have 12,000 points sitting around by the time you finally make it ... that's about $200 waiting for you! Relax, have fun, and see what you can accomplish!

6) Don't rest on your laurels! If you reach the magic 3,000 -- don't quit! Remember, Gather's terms of service indicate that you have to reach the equivalent of $50 in cash, which is 'about three thousand points.' In practice, it's probably going to be a little higher -- so when you get to where you're aiming for, aim higher!

7) If you think you've made it, let Gather know! When you think you've made it, after the end of the month, write support@gather.com (preferably with a subject akin to 'Looking to Switch to Cash Option') and ask them! You may have to wait a few weeks for a final answer -- and you may find that you've come up a little short. Either way, be patient and...

8) Keep trying! It can't be emphasized enough -- whether you make it this month or not, keep trying, and eventually you'll either be able to convert your Gather points into cash - or at least get plenty of giftcards.