The truth is that sometimes you give awful answers just for the points and even admit it:

-That first one sounds like sudoku -You said.
-No it does not. Why would you post such thing? Just because you want some points? - The asker refuted, with disgust and surprise, when he had offered M$5.
-That's exactly why. And it does, in fact, sound a bit like Sudoku. However, you should really lighten up and get a sense of humor. You can't really refute that fact, because the only fact I entered was a matter of opinion. -You admitted, and I was shocked and cried for the asker.

You should think more about your answers. I know you do, sometimes...

P. S. Why don't you exploit humor and offbeat questions? That should give your more tips.
Source(s):
Here it is: http://www.mahalo.com/answers/education/can-someone-resolve-these-math-prob...

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Always be conscious of what you think the question-asker is looking for. Read the question and any details carefully to look for clues about what they specifically want to know. It doesn't matter if *you* think you are giving a good answer if it doesn't help the person who asked the question.

Looking back through your answers, I've seen a few funny/sarcastic ones. While you and others may find those type of answers humorous, the question-asker could be very annoyed by it.

Also, try your best to use a wide variety of sources. Paraphrase and collect info from those sources instead of just copy/pasting. Add your own insight or personal experiences to the information you find.

Bottom line...
You should generally try to make the person asking the question happy if you want their tip.
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No, you are not in last place..I am
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I' willing to pay for any answer that solve my problem and be happy with the tips, not for points or fun.
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It's difficulty to explanation:).
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It is not just about the tips. If you want to treat this like a job for pay, you must behave like it is a job for pay. Just showing up and hanging around tossing out some stuff doesn't cut it. Putting some real work into it may get you a tip. well researched answers and some experience with what you are talking about will give you a better chance.
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Now that I got the green belt, I lay back and relax. I don't feel the need to answer in the first hour anymore to get points. It's a long road towards the purple belt, so why bother? I don't get any real advantage out of it. Now I take my time to post a well thought answer, I take breaks, I even am the last one to post. The bigger the tip, the longer the "life span" of the question, so what's the rush?
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The best thing to do is to answer the questions that suit your expertise. Even if you embed a lot of links, videos, or pictures but you really don't understand the question, you will not receive a tip. Usually, tips are given to the answers that are based on his/her experience regardless of the links, videos, or pictures.
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i think somebody else already had my natural thought and that is we don't have any money yet.

so, i will give you my other virtual opinion, and that is, just like SL, warm up to the people that visibly have Mahalo dollars and ask them what you can do directly to earn a tip from them. this seems to work with my people in other virtual worlds and they make a lot. ;). of course, maybe you answered your own question.
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Clearly, the devil dog.

LOL

Let's look at a few of your answers...
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/fashion/why-isnt-there-any-consistancy-in-womens-clothing-sizes
- Despite your subject matter expert status, it seems like you didn't give the answer people were looking for. Your answer was essentially - "chance" and "lack of control". But, every woman I've ever talked to states that different stores are _consistent_ in their differing sizing. So, the author liked the "vanity" answer because it matches common perception.

Next...
Bmlhailstone answered: Who is the most irritating celebrity? And why?
Bmlhailstone commented on: I'm ready for a new book! What should it be?
Bmlhailstone answered: I need more ideas on ways to make money. I've had a LOT of 'been there done that'! Any extra suggestions?
Bmlhailstone answered: What's your daily breakfast like?
Bmlhailstone answered: I'm ready for a new book! What should it be
- You're answering generic questions, without a specific need for an answer. Since these are completely subjective, then your odds of getting a tip might as well be random.

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/spirituality-and-religion/what-the-bible-says-about-the-devil
- This one's just a smartypants answer, and the asker was just setting up to plug his website.

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/interior-design/where-can-i-find-cheap-large-sheets-of-acrylic-panels-preferably-in-colors-that-i-can-hang-from-my-ceiling
- They wanted "in colors", you said "I don't think they come in a lot of colors". I'm guessing you won't get a tip.
--------------------
My advice - If you really want the tip, is to...
1. Answer early - Obviously easy questions will have your answer before you.
2. If you are going to inject humor, and expect a tip, make sure you give the goods. i.e. an actual real, in depth answer. For example, my answer here. I had to be a smarty pants, but I also gave them the goods.
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/concerts/what-is-transsiberian-orchestras-music-selection-for-this-years-tour-is-it-from-a-particular-album-or
3. Read the question. If you don't answer their actual question, then why would they tip you?
4. Only expect tips on questions where you answer the actual question, and you provide insight that other answers don't. I don't know jack about Quince Bushes, but I found a link on Google that had more depth than others did. And, I put in humor. (Trust me, I toned down the bush joke from my original locker room version...)
http://www.mahalo.com/answers/garden-and-landscape/when-is-the-best-time-to-prune-a-quince-bush-and-how-much-should-be-pruned-at-one-time
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Any British would have told you: "It is only a game", but look at how many serious, detailed, analyzing answers you got to your slightly silly question! It is just wonderful. If you answer to questions the same way that you have been answering so far, You'll get rich! In fairness, they all deserve some money :-)
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I've had a couple times where I have had by a fair margin the best answer, and the person selected "no best answer", like here:

http://www.mahalo.com/answers/football/who-will-be-in-the-super-bowl


If that's not worth $1, I don't know what is. heh.


That said, I've picked up a few smaller tips and have seen spots where I had a good answer, but the tip winner had something a bit better.
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Have some patience and tailor all of your answers. I find it b est to answer the question as well as the reason someone is asking the question.
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As Teff says, in order to get the $ you must tell people what they want to hear. Cater to them, stroke them, lie if you must...

Basically the way to play this game is to troll through the newest questions, do a google search, copy and paste in the answer, and move on to the next one. Do this for weeks and weeks and with a little luck you will soon have earned $3.

I'm not trying to be flippant here, but there is a real problem with the basic model for how Mahalo Answers works. (And another thing: they haven't updated their news headlines in five days.)
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You should realize that the number of tips you receive is influenced by other things (detailed below) more than it is by the quality of your answers (similar to tipping in other contexts such as restaurants).

Side issues that may improve tipping:

Smile (emoticon? avatar image?) -- I am quite sure that using a smiling female image instead of the grim one you have now would yield more tips.

Hello, my name is..

Mimic the tone of the question

Subtle flirtation

Repeat question

Upsell -- try to expand the scope of the question so you can include ideas that might be perceived as more valuable.

Give questioners (cyber) candy -- any type of response that might be perceived as a gift (probably more applicable in rl)

Call questioners by name

Casually touch your questioners -- not sure how this translates to online interactions in this format

Draw smiley faces on checks (answers) -- emoticons

Forecast good weather -- or generally a more positive outlook (even if its less realistic) may result in more tips
Source(s):
Reality

http://money.cnn.com/2004/08/24/commentary/everyday/sahadi/

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