How would anyone be able to earn 500,000 for a free Rainmaker account?  Would that convert to a "pay for play" for all of us?

Points originally got me deeply involved and are still a driving force.  The enjoyment from interaction is much greater than the points though.

John, I'm long past points driving my activities.  I demand of myself that I post daily.  I leave comments and answer questions as time allows.  I don't get the shakes any longer if I don't max out my posts for points or number of comments for a given day.  And I'm sliding backwards down the overall Leaderboard, and that's okay too.  My phone rings regularly as a result of the work I do here.

Maybe just a little less commenting.  I like the questions.

Absolutely decrease. I enjoy the leader board chase!

Yes. It would decrease.

If there were no points, I would participate less than I do now.  I would no longer actively seek out 20 blogs to comment on per day.  I would CONTINUE to answer as many questions per day as I wanted to (I'm sure I hit over the 20 mark most days) and do my 10 blogs per week.  I would look at blogs that interest me and comment on those.  This is the level of activity I plan to go to once I hit the 500,000 mark.

I'm waiting for that day when Roger D. Mucci says - I'm so happy that the AR Superstore has finally opened but it's a Pet Shop and all they have are kitties.  

Definately less. I need numbers to see where I am. I would still enjoy being here, but I know me.

I primarily blog for business and must admit if that didn't pay off I probably would not be as dedicated as I am. I would be less active and do it purely for fun. The points are fun so that is secondary, too. If they went away, so be it,  I would adapt.

I didn't think the points were good for anything valuable $$.  I find active rain to be an addiction. :-)  Learning about other markets and how agents cope with different issues. Yes, I would still be here. The SEO that's a benefit I'm working on.

It would decrease

It would stay the same. I don't comment on everything I read because I'm not concerned about just having points. If I was only concerned about points, then I would comment more. I'm here for all the reasons you mentioned above, not points.

John Novak Probably less.

Greatly decrease !!!

John- points or no points, I would still be here.  And, I would continue to do what I'm doing . 

Hmmm...I would certainly still be using AR and probably doing it daily. I like posting market reports. I probably wouldn't be here as much, though, if no points were offered. I set personal point goals for myself (just for fun), and there wouldn't be any reason to work hard to hit those goals. 

I would decrease my use.

I hate to admit it, but yes, I would use it less.  But, I would still use it for all the reasons you gave which are way more important than the points.

I would still use it for those things, but wouldn't make as many comments and may stay out of this area all together.

Yes, I would still participate in the AR community ... would neither increase or decrease my activity.  Steady as she goes ...

For me it would not change much...Points were a good motivator but I never tried to maximize them

John Novak Sure!!

For me it would stay the same, because from past years of experience, I KNOW it works and you get the attention for your effort, provided it is quality content for your target market.

It might be a little different, worse. I might not comment as much and that would be a shame.

It would stay the same.

John,

We have a mantra, NEVER MESS WITH WHAT WORKS !   A

It would probably decrease some.  

My participation would stay the same as long as most of the other Rainer's remained.

I see the points as the same type of inducement to participate and one watching their analytics of their site. 

Stay the same. Points have no real value to me or my business. Maybe they should give out S&H or in this case AR Greenstamps. When I fill 10 books, I can buy a product like a digital tape measure.

yes

I may be less active ans q&a....

I think pretty much the same but the points help me figure out referrals.

I think the quality of the site would improve if the points program were eliminated. The comments from others in the industry are nice but not productive.

I love the sharing of ideas. The points are an added bonus. 

Absolutely...Hey, they give points here???

I'm not sure that I would. If I could consistently generate business maybe, however I need the points to keep me engaged.

I would still be here.

I have started my day out on AR for six solid years, by now it is a habit.  I can attribute at least 15% of my business each year to blogging.

John - I think I would still want to post for the SEO, but maybe it would be on another platform, who knows. I would also probably still remain engaged here because I think I have learned so much from so many other members.

Good morning John. My sense would be that many would drop out, but count me in. I enjoy the interactions and relationships that I have built.

 Interesting question John. For some that is the driving force for others it really doesn't matter.

John Novak my participation will be little different. Perhaps I'll read more posts and write more/additional posts other than market reports, I guess.

Points have an important role here and are what helps to make this a group that exceeds all the other real estate forums.

My participation would stay about the same. I'm a fan through and through.

I expect it would stay about the same.