how do we actually make money on myLot?

Nearly all the questions about earnings in MyLot are answered here: http://www.mylot.com/o/faq/faq6.aspx It is VERY important to have read and to understand the Guidelines: http://www.mylot.com/o/guidelines.aspx Most newcomers, too, do not appreciate that earnings here are NOT updated instantly. You will usually see your earnings for the previous day posted after 24 hours (but it may be longer at weekends). There is NO set amount 'per post' here. You are paid according to the quality of your participation and that is decided by a complicated and proprietary algorithm which we are not allowed to discuss or speculate on. However, the more descriptive you are in your discussions, responses and comments, the better, and the more your discussions, responses and comments are rated by other users, the better. Asking for good ratings, however, is against the Guidelines and, if you do this, your post will be deleted!