Fishing For An Upgrade?

Maybe you're using the wrong bait...

Written By: dingolord
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Eventually, everyone who is an active part of this great website we call Writing.com needs an upgrade. Occasionally, not everyone who needs an upgrade can afford to get one, whether they can't afford it that minute, or whether they're never able to afford it.

Because of this, and because of the general "giving" nature of the members of Writing.com, many charities have been formed to help members receive upgrades, and many people on the site are sometimes able to spare a few dollars or gift points to help a friend or other member get one. And, I have it on good authority that a certain member by the name of Anonymous gives out upgrades all the time to deserving members.

So how can you cash in on this upgrade giving phenominon? How can you prove that you're one of the ones that needs an upgrade?

Step one: DON'T email or IM other members asking for Gift Points or upgrades. I can tell you from experience that those emails and IMs never get read or answered, and it will more than likely keep you from getting an upgrade than it will help you to get one. Plus, it's kinda against the Spam section of the Member Agreement.

Step two: Be Active in the Writing.com community. The more people you know, the more friends you'll have to call on should you need an upgrade. Besides... if you're NOT active, why do you really need an upgrade? It might also be a good idea to read this other article I wrote on upgrades:

Do you really need an Upgrade?  [E] #500757 Some things to know about Upgrades and how they will and will not help you by *Moni

Step three: Do Your Research and find out how to ask for upgrades. For example, The Upgrade Plea Forum where you can ask for your own upgrades, and The "RAOK Upgrade Brigade Group"  has a public nominations In&Out where you can nominate others or even yourself. There's also another dozen groups specifically designed to give upgrades. There are a bunch of places to ask, but you have to take the initiative to find them for yourself.

Step four: Help Yourself. One major key to getting upgraded is to save up your Gift Points. There are TONS of ways to have other members send you Gift Points. Enter contests, take surveys, enter raffles, post your good stories and poems for review in forums, review other people's stories and poems, etc, etc. You just have to do your research and put in a little effort. Before you know it, you may have more than enough for an upgrade.

Step five: Do Unto Others. Don't go looking for an upgrade from helpful people if you're not willing to also be helpful. Many, many members are wonderful, giving people who would be glad to help you out, but they're more willing to help out people who show a love for the community by doing things for others. So, if you want someone to help you out, make an effort to help out others. It's only fair, right? :) To get started, there's a link in the Member Tools menu at the top called Angel Resources. Take a look in there... it's where all the other giving members of Writing.com go.

Step six: Be Thankful. Sounds simple enough, right? If someone does something nice for you, be thankful for it and return the favor whenever possible. Why is this important? Because, combined with all of the above steps, it proves that you were worth someone else's time and effort, and makes them want to help you out more.

If you're fishing for that upgrade, try using different bait. Normal fish go for worms, but the caring members of Writing.com tend to gravitate toward the types of bait I mentioned above. Become a caring member of Writing.com, and other caring members of Writing.com will do everything they can to help you out. :) And that's the honest truth.