Gather Round for Social Networking August 14, 2008 Gift card rewards drive greater activity on social network site targeting those ages 30 and up
By Jeanie Casison
Members of the social network site Gather.com might want to spend more time interacting on the online community geared toward individuals ages 30 and up. The Boston-based company recently enhanced its Gather Points Rewards Program by adding gift cards from Amazon, Borders, Macy's, Omaha Steaks, Target and other popular retailers. As an extra incentive, a two-week "Invite-a-thon" earlier this month, gave Gather members a chance to win bonus points redeemable for gift cards each time they brought in a new recruit.
"We have a terrific membership at Gather. They really create the Gather experience by sharing their lives, inspiration and opinions on the site," says Tom Gerace, CEO of Gather. "Members also bring friends and family together on the site, and we wanted to find a more robust way to recognize their contributions to our success."
Earning points is easy. All Gather members have to do is be enthusiastic participants. "Gather rewards members for sharing on the site, from the posts they make to the photos and videos they load to inviting friends to the community," Gerace says. "We reward them for being active and spending time engaging with other members of the site in productive ways."
The use of gift cards seems to be gaining momentum as Gather has paid more than $120,000 in the first six months of the year in gift cards to its members.
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