Is it practical to your everyday poet to be a member an organization like ILP?

[idiotbox2005]

Year in and out I often receive electronic and postal mail invitations to become a member of poetic organization sponsored by poetry.com but I often declined because of its steep rates. Of course, becoming one would easily grant you entry to their conventions, wherever it is scheduled to happen, and entitled to win any prizes. And, provided that you paid that honor annually, discounts are given the next time you decide to attend their functions. Have you ever become a distinguished member of the International Society of Poets sponsored by www.poetry.com? Is it better than keeping yourself hidden from the rest of your class of artists? Is it well worth every trip? I just wanna know. Thanks!

[classmate8735]

Poetry.com is a scam. They are interested only in squeezing as much money as possible out of you. They will do nothing to help you improve your writing or advance your career as a poet. Don't send them a penny. Avoid having anything to do with them.

[holythegrail9069]

Well I have got an invitation to there convention this year, actually I have had about 3 or 4 and a VIP invitation and discounts if I book early.I sent my poem to what I thought was a forum for poets and I am now beginning to think that its a skam as all they are doing is asking for money. I have got e.mail telling me how wonderful my poem is and its been picked by the judges etc., but this is always the top layer and then I am asked for money.