Earlier this month I wrote a TODAY article aimed at “demystifying” the Gather Points program. Turns out, lots of Gatherers have questions about points, and we were happy to answer! Click here to read that article and the detailed comment thread.
That conversation got me thinking… do most Gather members like the points or hate them? What could (or should) Gather do to make Gather Points more fun and relevant to you? Should we keep Gather Points or just get rid of them entirely?
We're looking for your feedback here.
Now it’s your turn to sound-off about Gather Points!
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Comments: 244
For me the points mean that I am being read by people. After I post something I notice my points go up a lot, check my stuff and there are oodles of comments. So, yes, I like points.
I like them! I say keep 'em!! =]
It seems like a big part of Gather's mission is to share their revenue....how can you do that if you get rid of the points?
I read the other article and its comments. I'm confused as to why the "Name a Word Starting with..." games aren't considered spam. There's no requirement that each word be unique in the list. In an S game you could post "spam" until your index finger fell off. Out of perversity I occasionally post words that don't start with the letter. There's absolutely no challenge for people who can read.
I agree with Erin as well, they tell me I'm doing well keeping people interested and being active as a reader/viewer.
I love the points. They were what drew me here to pick my writing back up again rather than some other community. If you didn't have them I might still write here because I value my connections, but it wouldn't be so much. I'd be spending that time on some other paid to write site. Please keep them.
What I'd like to see changed, if you change anything, is to allow those who can't currently do anything with their points a way to do so. That's all.
They add a unique aspect to Gather. And, of course, it's really nice to be rewarded for sharing and commenting and all of that! I've met great people here, but I'll admit that it also makes me really happy to get my gift cards in the mail!
When I recieved my Borders card it says I can not order used items and I can only use one GC per on-line transaction. There shouldn't be any stipulations on the use of the cards. If I were to purchase a card for someone they should have the option of buying what they want and be able to use as many cards as they need to finish their transaction.
I love the points and I love the people at Gather it has changed my life in many ways.
Blessings
I have met many non US mambers and their contributions are are valuable and should be rewarded.
Blessings
Blessings
Thanks for the great feedback... I think I need to clarify.
Gather is NOT on the brink of getting rid of points.
We simply want to know if they are meaningful to you... if so, why... or why not.
Also, what could -or should- Gather do to make the Points program more engaging?
Thanks everyone... keep up the great conversation!
The special promotions that reward bonus points are always good also and get us to think and publish more.
Keep the points! I like them!
KEEP THE POINTS!!!
And continue to let us redeem them for gift cards
or to use the cash option.....
For some of us, like myself, it's a way that we're
able to supplement our family's income and get
from one week to the next.
PLEASE KEEP THE POINTS AND THE REWARDS AND CASH OPTIONS!!
I love everything there is to do on Gather.
I love publishing content and sharing my thoughts and comments
on other people's content, and getting points that we can
change into rewards and cash makes Gather
not only "different" from other online communities,
but it also makes Gather a site that I appreciate
and love being on.
KEEP THE POINTS!
not have a real purpose anyway and the comments
that are left already, in a sense, are rating the content.
But the points should definetly be kept!!!
I would enjoy some new ways to spend them- maybe a coffee shop, iTunes, maybe netflix (that would ROCK), stuff like that. I know a LOT of people who would love places like Wal-mart, Best Buy, or Game Stop, too.
I wouldn't say no to Target or Walmart, but I AM happy with the choices. :)
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â—ˆ RANDEE'S EVENING LIST IT GAME! â—ˆ
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It has an "h" - word game
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With very few exceptions, it's hardly the stuff that "...a highly educated, engaged, and informed adult membership" would produce; it's "content" produced for points.
The quandary is how to keep membership *and* quality up. I'm sure many members would leave if the points decreased, which wouldn't be good for the bottom line. On the other hand, if Gather wants to market itself as a place where having "sophisticated and interactive dialogue with a highly desirable demographic" occurs, those very people will be (are) turned off by idiotic point-generating "games" in which allegedly highly educated, sophisticated people think it's fun to list words beginning with the letter 's'. One would think that such highly educated and sophisticated people had dictionaries or were at least able to access one online, but apparently not.
There was one point here that some of the stuff was of such high-quality that I would've paid you to be a member. There are still spots of brilliance and quality content but it has been largely eclipsed by the dumbing down of Gather and I'm afraid that the points have a lot to do with it. If I was new to the place, I don't know that I'd make the effort to search it (quality content and connections) out.
Thanks for asking.
I personally have noticed that the points are really slow in coming these days. I assume that Gather must have tightened up how freely they are giving them away. It's a little discouraging, even just a small decline.
I would like to see other vendors, though. Love Uncommon Goods and Home Depot, please don't change that! Perhaps a Visa card where I can spend it where I'd like...
What I'd really like to see is a reorganization of the site where we can all reside happily. A division for the writers and poets, one for social networking and one for games, freebies, etc., we all bring something to the table in our own way. The points have been problematic in the past, but Gather would need this tool to attract and retain members, you'd kill the site. Gather has grown into something that I don't think the creators envisioned or anticipated.
Maybe you would have done better, Janna by pointing us to the intelligent articles you participate in. I haven't seen it. The only "discussions" I've seen you comment on are mostly articles complaining about Gather or it's members.
Remember, folks. At any given time there's a finite number of points available for distribution. You can draw your own conclusions.
As a stay-at-home mom on a very tight budget the Gather points really helps me do something special that I wouldn't otherwise be able to do. For my gather points I have made a wonderful vegetable garden, and every time I look at my plants I think of Gather and all my friends and connections, who helped me make it a reality. Last week I was able to get my husband a birthday present, without using the money he earns. I know it is silly, but being able to buy him a hammer drill from Home Depot with the points I earned here at Gather, it really made it so much more special. In a few weeks, we will be having a bbq party, when my brothers and their family flies in from Europe, and the meat will be from Omaha Steaks thanks to Gather. I could go on and go on but the point I am trying to make is that the Gather points really makes a difference in my and my family's life.
If I were to suggest something to make them even greater, it would be to give us more options for redemption. I like the idea of Target and Walmart cards, and Amazon certificates would be great as well. Of course the different points promotion are great ways of making us love our Gather points even more, but even if they stay at the same rate as they do now, I still love them. The Gather points really makes Gather unique, and it just adds to all the wonders of this amazing community.
Pam, thank you so much for asking us and thank you for posting your article to
!!!Today's Top Photos and Articles!!!@
http://bestoftoday.gather.com/
One thing I think you should change is trying to figure out how to let people outside the US cash in their points. Whether it's a cash option or whatever. It isn't fair to them to accumulate points and not get anything for or from them.
So, I guess my vote is, KEEP THE POINTS but figure out a way to make it work for everyone.
Perhaps not, but it certainly was effective at illustrating my point. Pam asked for my opinion and I gave it. As far as I know, that is still somewhat allowed and encouraged here. I didn't name names, and know little to nothing about the majority of the authors of that content. The titles speak for themselves.
Maybe you would have done better, Janna by pointing us to the intelligent articles you participate in. I haven't seen it. The only "discussions" I've seen you comment on are mostly articles complaining about Gather or it's members.
As I've said many times (including my above comment), I read far, far more than I participate in. I probably read here for three months before I commented, and it was close to 2 years before I published an article. Perhaps someday I will create an article that has links to the type of content I enjoy(ed), or what's left of it. Until then, find it yourself.
I believe this is naming names. That person has commented on my article, so I do know it is a member here.
While it may be effective in getting your point across, I still think it was unnecessary to use that method. Actually, it appeared to me that you were taking cheap shots at certain members, pointing them out by title and name.
I also feel it keeps people coming back to 'g'ather, I like to know my input counts for something. Please don't do away with the points system.
I believe this is naming names. That person has commented on my article, so I do know it is a member here.
It was part of the title. I simply copied the title. If that's offensive to someone, I'll X it out next time.
While it may be effective in getting your point across, I still think it was unnecessary to use that method. Actually, it appeared to me that you were taking cheap shots at certain members, pointing them out by title and name.
As I said, I simply listed the titles to illustrate my point, for the feedback Pam requested. I have no clue who most of those members *are*, let alone taking cheap shots at them. If you want to think I had something more nefarious in mind, be my guest. I'm done justifying my comment to Pam to you.
I believe this is naming names. That person has commented on my article, so I do know it is a member here.
While it may be effective in getting your point across, I still think it was unnecessary to use that method. Actually, it appeared to me that you were taking cheap shots at certain members, pointing them out by title and name. "
Randee's name was "used" only because it was in the title of his game and he put it there. The article was then listed in a compilation of examples of idiotic articles posted for nothing more than points.
If someone doesn't want their name associated with idiotic content, the best way to guard against that would probably be for them not to attach it to such material.
The gamers won't go away if you section it off- they are hooked on it. This way, their never ending points quest won't get in the way of others and they can post away without anyone bothering them as well.
must resist...............
All too often people get in a huff about things that should be ignored; it's much nicer then tarnishing the article that some one else writes. But Jana you are right Pam did ask for opinions and in giving our opinions sometimes we open ourselves up to scrutiny.
One thing I can say is Gather recognizes "FREE SPEECH" and all of us have passed this on. We can make a point without directly naming groups of any one kind and that is the point I believe Debby is making.
Blessings
My 2 big wishes are: 1) that EVERYONE who participates could actually utilize the points they have earned and
2) that there were a few more options for gift cards: Target, Walmart, Sears, something along that line.
Well, perhaps they did before they installed the comment deletion button. Now it's "free speech as long as I like what you are saying."
I was careful to say that there were a few exceptions in the "Most Discussed" title list I quoted. I am aware that there are always a few articles in there that are, in my opinion, worthwhile and representative of the "highly educated, engaged, and informed adult membership" that Gather claims to have in its marketing and promotional material.
On the recent articles list, out of 25 there were no games listed.
On the featured articles list out of 25 there were no games listed.
On the highest rated articles list out of 25 there was one game listed.
On the most read list there were no games listed.
On the most discussed list there were 20 games listed.
So how is it that games push articles of substance out of view, when they are plainly in view and readership? I'd like to know where some of you get your strange ideas that quality writing is practically non existent on Gather. I'm seeing plenty of it without a problem.
I will be honest here, though, I do agree that many would probably spend less time here if the points were removed. Having the points system in place does make us feel like our time here isn't being "wasted" and I'd agree with that. If the points were removed I'd have to spend less time here to make an income elsewhere that I'd be lacking from my Gathering time.
I like the idea of more choices in gift cards and international donations.
My problem with points is one I have mentioned numerous times, and to which Gather.com's answer is always the same: "we have no plans to expand the cards offered; if you don't like the choices, get to 3K and take the cash option."
My issue is: of the few stores that offer gift cards through Gather.com, only one is in my area: Home Depot (and they just located here this year!). We have no borders, or any of the others. I have been told by Gather that I can use a Border's card to order online, but we have a no-shipping-charges-ever deal with Amazon, and we can't afford to NOT order from them.
Has Gather made ANY effort to get Kohls, Target, K-Mart, Sears, JCPenny, or other nationwide retailers to become part of the Gather family? Amazon, for instance, should be offering gift cards here, since they were co-sponsors of the "shorts" contests.
Any thoughts on this?