Content Partnerships and Revenue Sharing

The Commons is a coop, so the way we run a content partnership is different from others. Our content partnerships are synergistic initiatives. Each partnership:

• amplifies partner message through our site and newsletters,
• contributes to creating a local, public access climate language model, and
• generates revenue through a point/multiplier process.

We pool a (base) 15% of newsletter revenue for revenue sharing and calculate the share of the pool based on content contribution, engagement and quality.

The calculations are at minimum intended to offset or neutralize membership costs. As a cooperative organization members can vote on content partnership and revenue sharing operation in a general, worker-, org-, investor-member meeting.

Important: It must be mentioned, reprints from other newsletter media are fine. We're here to build readership and share revenue, not possess your stories.

Eligibility and Tiers

1. Coop Members and above can participate
2. Tier Multipliers:
   • Coop Member: 1x
   • Worker Member: 1.3x (adjusted to account for "dues")
   • Organizational Member: 1.4x (increased to further incentivize)
   • Investor Member: 1.5x

Content Contribution Point System

1. Short article (500-1000 words): 1 point
2. Feature article (1000-2000 words): 2 points
3. In-depth analysis (2000+ words): 3 points
4. Original research/data visualization: 4 points
5. Video content (5-10 minutes): 2 points
6. Podcast episode (20-30 minutes): 3 points
7. Habitat Knowledge Enhancement Bonus: 0-2 points (editor assessed)

Engagement Metrics

1. View: 1 point
2. Comment: 2 points
3. Share: 3 points
4. Action taken (e.g., workshop signup): 5 points
5. Longevity Bonus: Up to 20% of original points for each month the content remains actively engaged (cap at 3 months)

Quality Assessment

1. Editor Assessment: 0-3 points based on quality, relevance, and depth
2. Peer Review Score: 0-2 points (average of 3 peer reviews)

Revenue Sharing Pool

1. Base: 15% of newsletter and website revenue
2. Cap: Maximum of fixed $ amount per month or percentage of total revenue, whichever is lower
3. Distribution: Monthly, based on total weighted points

Calculation

1. Content Score = (Content Points + Habitat Bonus + Quality Assessment) x Engagement Points
2. Weighted Score = Content Score x Tier Multiplier x (1 + Longevity Bonus)
3. Individual Share = (Individual Weighted Score / Total Weighted Score) x Revenue Sharing Pool

Sustainability Measures

1. Probationary Period: New contributors on 3-month probation; points accrue but payout held until quality consistently met
2. Annual Cap: Individual earnings capped at fixed $ amount per year or a predetermined multiple of annual membership fees, whichever is higher
3. Sliding Scale: If total pool exceeds cap for 3 consecutive months, percentage reduces by 1% per month until stabilized

Additional Benefits

1. Top 10% contributors per quarter get priority access to new Habitat features
2. Annual "Content Creator of the Year" award with bonus stock options
3. Opportunity for top creators to lead paid workshops or courses

Habitat Integration

1. Bonus points for content significantly enhancing Habitat's knowledge graph
2. Special "Habitat Partner" designation/reward for consistent high-quality contributions to the knowledge base

Implementation and Transparency

1. Monthly performance and earnings reports for all content partners
2. Quarterly content strategy meetings open to all partners
3. Annual review and adjustment of model based on cooperative vote
4. Regular workshops on effective content creation and maximizing benefits
5. Clear documentation of model and any changes on The Commons website

Review and Adjustment

1. Quarterly review of point values and multipliers
2. Annual comprehensive review of entire model
3. Any major changes to be approved by cooperative vote

This model aims to balance fair compensation, quality incentivization, long-term sustainability, and alignment with The Commons' cooperative principles and climate knowledge mission.

Community-Member Content Suggestions

At The Commons, we believe that every member of our community has valuable insights to contribute. To encourage broader participation and diverse perspectives, we've introduced a point system for content suggestions from our community members.

Eligibility

All community members can participate in suggesting content.

Point System for Suggestions

• Basic suggestion: 0.5 points
• Suggestion selected for publication: 1 point
• Quality Multiplier: Up to 2x based on content performance (views, engagement, etc.)
• Curation Bonus: Additional 0.5 points if selected for a featured section

Suggestion Guidelines

• Daily limit: 3 suggestions per member
• Weekly limit: 10 suggestions per member
• All suggestions must align with The Commons' climate knowledge mission

Transparency and Integration

• Monthly reports on top-performing suggested content
• Clear communication of point allocation in member dashboards
• Suggestion data used to inform Habitat's knowledge priorities

Revenue Sharing for Suggestions

• Suggesters included in revenue sharing pool
• Individual Share = (Suggestion Points / Total Content Points) x (5% of Revenue Sharing Pool)

System Aims

1. Increase community engagement in content curation
2. Surface diverse and relevant content
3. Provide an entry point for members who may not create original content
4. Further integrate community insights into our knowledge ecosystem

As with all aspects of our model, this suggestion system is subject to quarterly review and annual comprehensive assessment, with any major changes approved by cooperative vote.

By participating in content suggestions, you're not just sharing interesting articles – you're actively shaping the knowledge landscape of The Commons and contributing to our collective understanding of local climate issues.

Climate ≈ Life

Contribute to The Commons. Let's build public insight and effective response, together.

Get in touch.