Good In Character Posting

[Archer]

I also use it to cultivate roleplaying skill in a more longterm sense, since the description that got a bonus today may not be good enough for a bonus next month.

I like that. Use the reward/penalty system to subtly communicate to your players your standards for roleplaying and where you'd like their level of involvement to be. Instant feedback is probably good in a PbP format where it may take you months (or more) to get to a place where you would tally up XP.

Nysidion uses a system where after each chapter, the players vote on who they think did the best RP'ing, and that person gets and XP reward. I must say that has actually motivated me a bit, as it's the best person in that particular game at that particular time who sets the standard, and the decision seems somewhat objective because it's democratic.

[Halfjack]

I'm pretty much of the opinion that screen time is its own reward.  That said I reward riskier challenges with better rewards and I have players narrate their failures.  This seems to bring out a lot of good play and I rarely see players holding anything back.

I also like to have the players vote for who to narrate the close of the game or sometimes even the close of each chapter.  This makes it fairly clear which voice everyone wants to hear most.

[Tienette]

I like that. Use the reward/penalty system to subtly communicate to your players your standards for roleplaying and where you'd like their level of involvement to be. Instant feedback is probably good in a PbP format where it may take you months (or more) to get to a place where you would tally up XP.

That's exactly why I give out XP/PPs as soon as the players earn it.  I have also given out Hero Points to players who have made a particularly great post when I felt that that would be more beneficial to them.

[Eyeonthemountain]

Usually as a DM, the point I want most form players is focus, or maybe awareness is better. Who is their character, and what would the character do? That is actually hard for most players