MY FIRST LOVE...... (ciao.co.uk)

Member Name: jingles

Product:	ciao.co.uk
Date:	16/10/01 (44 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: PF payouts

Disadvantages: Technical issues

Ive been a member of Ciao since 26th July 2000 – well over a year, having written 129 opinions. So l suppose l could say that l was well placed to write on the topic. Ive only been a Dooyoo member since April – so l think l need some more experience before taking the plunge on that opinion!


WHAT’S CIAO ALL ABOUT THEN?

Well l was referred by a friend (who has l think fallen by the wayside) being told that Ciao was an opinion web site where l could write opinions for money! According to Ciao it s about gaining consumer information on numerous products written first hand by consumers. There are over 35 000 members.

JOINING IN THE FUN

To become a Ciao member is easy – click on the “Join Ciao” link at the top left-hand corner of the home page, choose your user name and fill in the required details. Once this is completed Ciao will send you a registration email to which you must apply by clicking the given link.

NOW YOU ARE A MEMBER!

You will have a home profile page, which will detail your account details and balance. You may access this from the “ Your Account” link at the top of every page. From clicking on “Your Member Profile” at the right hand side of your account page, you may create a mini profile and also a more detailed one. Some members have been know to put in a lot of time and effort to jazzing up their home page using HTML (if that’s the correct order!)

READING OPINIONS

As you become more familiar with Ciao you will begin to recognise names of members whose opinions you trust. As a “newbie” (new Ciao member) l would recommend reading some opinions before writing. Those opinions under the section headed INTERNET- CIAO – MEMBER ADVICE ON…. HOW TO WRITE OPINIONS & HOW TO RATE & COMMENT can be invaluable. Reading opinions to me is reading about a subject l am interested in as opposed
to reading every single opinion written.

RATING OPINIONS

After you read an opinion you have the option of grading that opinion:

 Very Helpful (VH)
 Helpful (H)
 Fairly Helpful (FH)
 Not Helpful (NH)

I’m not going into the ins and outs of rating opinions – that’s a whole other opinion topic anyway. It is suffice to say do not be a sheep – rate from the heart and use your own personal judgement.

COMMENTS

I love it when someone leaves me a comment on one of my opinions – it means so much to me! I can take constructive and well meant criticism (which l would encourage – hey l want to improve!) and l love getting praise – but this section is not for abusing the writer - this is against Ciaos Terms and Conditions and basically down right rude. Also should you rate a fellow member’s opinion FH for example – tell them why – its only fair.


CIRCLE OF TRUST

To be found at your profile page. Here members who feel your opinions are decent are listed and those who you trust are also listed. It always gives me a buzz when someone adds me on to his or her circle of trust. Also do not feel pressurised into returning the add on as a favour should someone trust you.


GUEST BOOK

Again accessed via the profile page. It is open to all to view so don’t go proposing or declaring undying love and how you are leaving your wife and children unless you want everyone knowing your business! It is a good place though for members to leave off topic comments. Again it should not be used to abuse fellow members.

COMMUNITY CENTRE

Again l am not going in-depth into this topic – there’s a section given over to the community centre in its own right! Ciao members can keep uptodate on the news happenings at the site through the centre.

CIAO MOST WANTE
D (CMW)

When l first joined l really aspired to this dizzy height – needless to say 1 year and a bit on l have not made this glorified position – but the want has lessened within me! These are chosen respected opinion writers who are featured on the home page who it is hoped will act as an example to all members new and old.


REWARDS

Most people join Ciao initially for the cash – if we are being honest. It is only when the addiction kicks in that the money aspect looses it pole position. Ciao pay members 10p for every opinion written and then 2p for every member read. Payment is given when your balance reaches £10 and it is made through your bank. Extra cash can be made through referring friends, filling out surveys and the Premium Fund. The “PF” is paid by Ciao for the top quality opinions published each month. It is generally a mysterious fund and only the top ten opinions are named. Money will pop into your account if you are lucky enough to be a benefactor.

DIAMONDS

Some members may have a diamond beside an opinion on their profile page – simply this signifies a PF top ten opinion.

CATEGORY ASSISTANTS

New to Ciao in October 2001. There are five trial categories, which have guardian angels keeping a beady eye on them. These categories include:

 Cars & Motorbikes
 Entertainment
 Electronics
 Computers
 Telecommunications

Members can apply for the monthly-rotated positions as long as they have 75% plus VH ratings on their opinions. More information is available on the Community Centre page.

Ciao isn’t all sunshine and roses – technical problems regularly halt reading and rating, but heigh ho that’s life! People have had issues with abusers or even getting paid (but they do pay eventually!) but really it’s all part and parcel of Ciao Community Life
. That’s what Ciao is you know – a community. I love Ciaoing and lve made some wonderful e-friends because of Ciao and to me that’s what makes it all worth while (although the cash is nice too!)


There are a lot of similarities with Dooyoo – you get paid for reads the Circle of Trust in Dooyoo, the community spirit which is alive on both sites. Dooyoo don’t have a Premium Fund instead they aware Pointy Wee Crowns – which at least you know which opinion its for although Ciao do pay out more. Dooyoo have had member category helpers for a much longer time whilst over at Ciao its in its infancy.

I write on both sites but to be honest lm a relative newbie when it comes to Dooyoo whilst at Ciao lm more established, Ciao is my first love but you never know with more experience Dooyoo may take over as my number 1!

HEATHER

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