Do you really need an Upgrade?

An Upgraded Membership to Writing.Com is something almost every member wants, but what exactly does it give you? I've noticed that a lot of people want upgrades, but most of them don't know how it will help them, or whether or not they actually need one!

For those of you who wonder what benefits an Upgraded Membership will give you, here is a short list of the most important features. Note, this is not ALL of the additional features you get with an upgrade, simply the most prominent.

1. A larger portfolio limit. - Free members have a 5 item limit on their portfolio. Basic members get 15 items. Upgraded members have a limit of 250 items.

2. Images are available. - Upgraded members can upload images to their portfolios to use as signatures, forum headers, or just to share with their friends.

3. Groups can be created. - You can create groups for you and all of your friends and use them as a base of operations with an Upgraded membership.

4. Surveys - An easy way to gain information from other Writing.com members is available in the form of surveys if you are Upgraded.

5. Better Email Handling - Upgraded members have higher boundaries on their email than free members, and are able to create multiple email folders instead of the two you are allowed as a free member.

6. Better Statistics - Upgraded members have access to numerous statistics, including breakdowns on items and the ability to organize their sent and received reviews.


There are other things you get with an Upgraded Membership as well, like access to many cool little utilities for organizing, but this lists the main ones. For more info, visit "Compare Free and Paid Membership Benefits" .

So, as you can see, an Upgraded Membership gives you a lot of things. But, the question arises: Do you REALLY need an Upgraded Membership? Maybe you want one, but do you need one? Here are some common reasons why people ask for Upgraded Memberships, and why these people should re-evaluate their reasoning.

I need more room in my portfolio.
This is a perfectly valid reason for an Upgrade, provided the portfolio really is full. Check your portfolio. Does it have 5 items in it, and you would have to delete something to add something new? If not, you don't need an upgrade. If so, look at your items again. There are things you can delete. Word Searches, Polls, Campfires, Folders, and Interactive Stories are great, but a Static Item with your own personal work is worth so much more. If you want to create a new piece that you've written, delete one of the other, less important things. You can always create another Poll or Word Search later.

I need to use images.
No one really needs to use images. Sure, Images are cool, but they shouldn't be your sole reason for getting an Upgrade. Remember, Writing.com is more about Writers in a Community, first and foremost. Some Upgraded authors don't even use images! Let your words describe it for you.

I need more exposure.
An Upgraded Membership will not help you get more exposure. You get exposure by searching the site, posting your work, and finding places to tell people about your work. Nothing an Upgraded Membership does will help you get more exposure. The readers on the site don't read you because you're upgraded. They read you because you've made the story or poem accessible to them. The more you get your name out there, Upgraded or not, the more exposure you'll receive.

Before you ask for an upgrade, please read this list and see if you really need one. Then, if you still feel you need one, feel free to post in the "Upgrade Plea Forum"  and we'll do the rest!