After 30 days, this place is not so foreign to me. A month ago, I got my acceptance email for Steemit and, little did I know, it was going to radically change my life. I can categorically state that I am presently addicted to Steemit. This is, by far, the best social networking platform out there.
There are a lot of lessons that I picked up, too many to describe in one post. However, I want to offer a few suggestions up to newcomers as a way of short cutting their path to success.
Before I do that, I would like to say thanks to many people who supported me in my time here. These people went beyond just upvoting or following me, they also took the time to explain some of the ins and outs of Steemit. Also, these individuals also engaged in some wonderful conversations even if we didnt always agree completely.
If you get a chance, I would suggest you check out their blogs and give them a follow...you will not regret it.
@igster @lyndsaybowes @davebrewer @cryptoeagle @dusckmast3r @diggndeeper.com @exxodus @gyanibilli @hilarski @libertyranger @pandorasbox @orangesphere @steemitlife777 @zer0hedge
I am sure there are many I forgot and, if you fell into this category, do not be offended...age is catching up to me. I thank you also for all your interaction.
One thing, I wanted to mention my stats thus far:
562 Followers
2749 Posts
1090 Following
I also have SP of about $.12 at 100%. While some of this is due to the upvotes of others, most of it was due to my investment in steem. If you are a believer in this platform, it might be worth your while to take this approach.
That said, here are my tips for success on Steemit....at least for the first month.
- Comment! Comment! Comment!
This is a social site and the only way people are going to know that you are here is if you comment. Find articles that interest you and post comments. One suggestion: post thoughtful comments. Do not post a ton of "great article, thank you" posts. This means nothing to the author. Post something that shows you actually read and thought about what they write. The people that I listed above all take the time to reply to comments on their articles. They are engaging with those who post sensible stuff even if they do not disagree.
- WRITE Articles
This is a blogging site. Every once in a while it is perfectly acceptable to link an article from mainstream publications/sites or post a youtube video. However, do not make a habit of this. Personally, this does little to interest me and will rarely, if ever, get an upvote from me. Take the time to write up what the main point of the article or video in your own words with your insights on the subject (while linking the article/video to avoid the ole plague). If I wanted to know the original author's thoughts on the subject, I could have read his/her writing and have no need for you.
- Do NOT Engage in Quid Pro Quo
Most all of us are guilty of this at some point. Never, never, never, ever ask for an upvote when commenting. I see so many who will post upvoted your article please upvote mine. This really puts you in the "amateur" class. Even with as little time as I have on here, I am turned off by this activity. Whenever I see that in the comments in my articles I say "yeah right...not a chance". This is a site where givers get. If you want upvotes, start upvoting people and making comments that catch people's attention.
*A note on following: I have no problem if someone posts in the comment section of one of my articles that they are following me. This is a way for him/her to let me know that they gave me a follow. This gives me a chance to look at their profile and decide to follow them back. But please, do not post followed you, follow me back.
- Posting Links To Your Articles
Here is another do not. Do not post links to your own articles in the comments section unless you know the person you are commenting to. To do otherwise is spamming. We all have articles we are proud of. If each of us did this, the comment sections would be nothing more than spam which would kill the site.
- Power Up
This is a wonderful site and I am optimistic on Steem. For this reason, if you can, I suggest you power up. It will make your life a lot easier on here. To start, your SP becomes more valuable which means you can actually give the authors who post content you like something worthwhile. Secondly, over time, with the inflation of the currency per the distribution schedule, you money will most likely grow. Thirdly, you will make more money off your activities if you have more SP in your account. I know this is not feasible for everyone but I do suggest it if you can.
- Leave The Whales Alone
There are 375,000 profiles on here. Every whale could easily have hundreds of thousands of followers. We all want to be followed by them. Of course, reality is that it isnt going to happen. Why would a whale follow/interact with you when you still have the standard header, few posts, and even fewer followers? To them, you are one of 375,000 other people on here. This is how it is for all of us.
Ergo, it is best to focus upon those who write content you like and comment on their stuff. Focus upon those with a 45 reputation and below (as a guide) to start. Over time, when your reputation increases and your numbers fill out, you will start to garner the attention of some of the with higher ratings. Post good content and occasionally a whale will find you. Since I started I got 3 or 4 votes from whales, it is a wonderful feeling. Resist the temptation to badger them.
- Have Fun
Yes we can make money on here but this is not a job. It is a place to interact, learn, and grow. There is a lot of wonderful information on here...take advantage of it. Also, do not put pressure on yourself to get huge returns immediately. It takes time. At first, my articles got very few comments and even less money. Over the past month, I can say both have grown. I am by no means a whale but I am happy with the progress. Nevertheless, I keep writing regardless of what the post nets. It really does not matter. Quality content consistently put up over time will get results. Just be patient and enjoy yourself ( @igster told me that when I first came on here).
- Spend Time On Here
Trust me....it takes time to put up 70-80 posts a day. It also takes a fair bit of effort to figure out what is going on here. This site is like nothing you ever experienced before. For that reason, learning the difference between steem, SP, steem dollars, etc... is crucial. Reading the white and blue papers is very helpful. Interacting with others helps to forge relationships but that takes time. Success requires effort on your part. Those who are already on here do not need to reach out to you to achieve on here. They already have plenty of people they are interacting with. It is up to you to put the time in and reach out. This is done by posting....a lot.
Just because we are minnows does not mean that we have to act like them. Whales and Dolphins behave in a certain manner. I promise you many of the actions I warned you about are not done by the heavy weights on here. They are not into shameless self promotion (for the most part). It is best to act like this is not our first rodeo.
One final thought: Do not begrudge the success of others. The fact that people on this site are generate huge dollar amounts off a post should only motivate you. I see so many get discouraged and, almost, resentful at those who can. The basic fact is we have no idea what they went through to get to that point. Whatever they had to do for their success, that is their business. It is up to us to focus upon moving ourselves forward.
Thank you for reading and I hope this helps. If it did, you know what to do....it is okay, you cant break the upvote button.
Pics from google images
Great post taskmaster, wow we floridians are fairly new here on Steemit, in a few years we will take over the world at this pace! haha great tips! regards
Hell we can withstand hurricanes like nobody else...world domination is a cupcake compared to withstanding the consistent threat of a cat 5 bearing down on us.
Just another day in paradise as they say.
Designing a banner right now. I'll take the North Hemisphere or would you rather split up East/West? :) hehe
Wow, nice job! Thanks for the shoutout! You have as many followers as I have but in half the amount of time. And a damn lot of posts!! You must be on here more often than I am!!
Thanks @pandorasbox
You must be on here more often than I am!! = You have no life.
Yes that is about correct LOL.
I appreciate the guidance and interaction you provided me...thanks a lot.
Haha, well I am on here all day too so no worries :)
Likewise, by the way! You're one of the few people who actually talk on here :)
Great advice especially on the don'ts which i am guilty of committing.
The best investment on steemit is to write meaningful and quality content.
Though all the free steem posts are just so hard to resist when nobody is reading our posts.
Press on Steem on
One suggestion I have is to go to articles posted by some with SP and write thoughtful comments on there. Those get read. That will help you to get involved with those who are already interacting with some fairly successful people on here.
I gave you a follow and a couple votes.
It will also help get your reputation up a bit. Having that 25 screams newcomer lol.
Dont worry we all were there....it is a starting point.
Great post!! You've definitely kicked my butt in your first month. Thanks for the shoutout too! :D
Keep up the good work!
Ah well it isnt a contest. You provide quality content and that is what is important.
Too many seem to be into the posting a MEME or Youtube video...as I said, once in a while that is great but all the time, I tune out. Unfollowed one of those people today in fact.
Haha true. Yea I know too many people too that just post a news link to a new article as a post. I'll do it sometimes, but always include my thoughts and opinions/analysis on the article as well, with full article attached. That's diff though than just "sharing" a news story.
I agree completely. All of us throw something like that up from time to time. I, like you, try to put a little more into it with my thoughts expressed at least.
Ironically, I am not against just the posting of links....I am a long time Reddit reader in the futurology section....it is where I still get most of my tech news. However, I take that site as a link site, that is all. I would not be opposed to a section on here that is similar...post news article links that are worthy to people. However, let's not make them out to be blog posts.
Alas, steemit doesnt run according to my wishes.
When you say 70-80 posts a day...are you actually posting that many? Thats what like 8 for every hour you spend of steemit daily?
Thank you for your comment @michaellynn.
Posting on here includes comments. So far, I did 3 in the past few minutes....
But to your point, yes I spend a great deal of time on here in my non-work hours.
Thus far, I found it worth it.
Have you made a full bitcoin over the whole time of your doing it?
Made a bitcoin doing what?
Lmao I messsed up this reply with some one talking about bitcoin faucets and getting a tiny amount of bitcoin for playing a game/doing a captch.
Yes steemit and commenting is worth it. Ill be fully on steemit instead of insta and facebook from now on.
Thank you for this article. Upvote! :)
This post recieved an upvote from minnowpond. If you would like to recieve upvotes from minnowpond on all your posts, simply FOLLOW @minnowpond
This post recieved an upvote from minnowpond. If you would like to recieve upvotes from minnowpond on all your posts, simply FOLLOW @minnowpond
Congratulation my friend...
Thank you @dobartim.
You certainly are another one I interact with on here. I am sorry I missed you on my list.
Great article but I think posting 70-80 posts per day, you could lose your follower's interest. I think 1-2 post per day but efficient one are enough :)
Have good day !
Posts include comments.
Indeed you're right I haven't think about this :D
Solid post @taskmaster4450! Always great to read your writings, you gave good advice, and you my friend are the epitome of #meaningfulcomment. <3 Keep up the amazing work!
I just couldn't agree more to your points of talking. I'm new here. Today is my 12 days venturing in this platform. For the past 11 days, steemit truly has changed my life - to embark on something that I really love to do - writing- but I've lost touch of writing for quite sometimes... Situation changed, people changed, and I changed too. However, when I was introduced to this platform, this is something unique and different. I agreed that to learn the difference between steem, SP, steem dollars, etc is crucial!
There were times I attempted to make a shortcut in my writing eg posting only pictures and a bit of captions but it failed. I will just erased it , Coz I felt it's not me .. ..I just can't do that! It's the integrity .. .guilty works sometimes lol.
I'm interested with this post and will Resteemed for the good of my readers who view my blog. Thank you again and hope to read more from you. Cheers!
Also, thanks for the follow, I followed you back :)
I have chosen your post as one of the ten best posts to upvote for today . Here you find the article I wrote about it https://steemit.com/bestposts/@alketcecaj/i-will-up-vote-100-posts-in-10-days-2-10