Celebrating a Fantastic Hive Achievement
Apparently, I hit rep 74 the other day, which I have to admit I completely missed until today π
So what does it mean to reach 74 reputation on hive?
On a personal level, it fills me with a certain amount of pride knowing how much work I have contributed to Hive (I've written well over 1600 posts to date) and been involved in many initiatives in communities both on Hive, and Steem... Sorry, I meant 'the blockchain that shall not be mentioned,'
According to PeakD's analytics page, I've made 10488 comments, and would like to add that many of my comments are longer than some people's posts π
For all the hive newbies reading this post, I will tell you one thing - which I hope might help in understanding the reputation system - the higher rep level you get to the harder it becomes to get to the next level.
I was literally stuck at reputation 73 for 2 years π
Engagement is key on hive, both for building a following, and making friends which can equate to higher rewards if you're genuine. When I'm talking about engagement, I mean commenting on others people's posts, not just answering comments on your posts. There are a few Orcas I could name who rarely comment on other people's posts apart from on other Orca's content and some whale's posts... go figure!
This type of cynical attitude pretty much makes me sick when I see it, but having spent a lot of time over the past few years meditating I've come to realise that acceptance, even of behaviours that are negative or duplicitous, is the best way to keep focused on creating what you want to create. Everyone can see the way people behave on hive anyway.
For me, making Rep 74 represents a milestone, and perhaps if certain whales see I've hit this 74 Rep mark I might find a new sponsor π€... you never know what can happen on this crazy and wonderful hive blockchain.
At the moment I spend a large portion of my time stressed out writing to strict deadlines for a few mainstream magazines under a pseudonym.
How I Have Given Back to Hive
βIt is every manβs obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.β βAlbert Einstein
This is a great quote by Einstein and one that I try to live my life by. Karma can, and will, bite you in the ass if you don't try to share your gifts with the world unselfishly and with love. This is something I have striven for in the past on hive, but since the increasing intensity of my chronic illness, I find it very difficult to write my own blog, and keep up with and submit by the deadline for my main ghost-writing job.
So much goes on behind the scenes on hive that it is difficult for new users to understand how it all works.
I'm not able to dedicate any more time behind the scenes than I already have as real-life issues take all my time, but in the past I was one of those busy bees who helped build some of the individual cells that make up hive.
In the summer of 2017 my first attempt at community building was to start a steemchat group (a chat website created by @firepower that has now shut down) and later a similar discord group called Scuba Diving. A place where divers from around the world could share their stories, promote their posts and generally provide each other with mutual support.
In late 2017 I joined curie as a curator, working approx 20 hours/week helping to find and reward posts from new users for the best part of two years.
In 2018-2019 I ran a creative writing workshop for the Promo-mentors discord community for a year, spending roughly 10 hours/week offering editorial services and tutoring some second language English writer's to help them improve their craft.
Also in 2018 I ran a weekly radio show on the whaleshares discord (prior to whaleshares forking from hive). This discord radio show was called literary corner and I hosted it for nearly a year. In the show I interviewed the most talented poets and fiction writers on hive/steem at the time, discussing their influences and how they first discovered they were destined to become a writer.
In 2019 I joined the @sndbox creative incubator and worked as part of a team building the @projectgiving charity which helped fund a community/environmental project in Tanzania.
In 2020 I started @theinkwell creative writing community with @stormlight24, designing the community media, writing creative prompts and community initiatives for 6 months until I had to facilitate handover to new management due to my deteriorating health, which was exacerbated by a family member getting cancer at the beginning of the pandemic. The Ink Well remains an active and vibrant writing community thanks to the efforts of jayna, agmoore and a whole team of dedicated staff all of whom I want to thank from the bottom of my heart.
Back to Basics - I'm a Writer Who Just Wants to Write
Although as you can see I have followed Albert Einstein's advice about giving back to the hive world with many hours over the course of the last 5 years, without asking for anything in return. I never did any of that stuff for any other reason than I believe that if you help people, the universe will help you eventually. Also, kindness is its own reward!
I would dearly love some of that Karma to manifest in helping my gut illness and other chronic illnesses to heal. Before I became ill over 8 years ago now, I was fit and healthy and used to compete in Olympic-length triathlons! Check out the picture above where I raised over Β£250 for the NSPCC (National society for the prevention of cruelty to children).
In regards to hive, I simply want to write and possibly create some more digital art like the pieces I have shared in this post. I try my best to network and engage with people through reading and commenting on their posts, but as I'm juggling ghostwriting deadlines, working on a fantasy novel and trying to write more on hive... I honestly think I would end up seriously ill if I took on any of those behind-the-scenes jobs I used to do.
But no matter what, I don't regret any of that work. It fills me with great happiness that I encouraged some great writers on hive when curating for @curie, people who fully deserved to earn more than minimum wage for their talent. Similarly, I am proud to have helped quite a few 2nd language English speakers/writers to improve their diction and sentence structuring. I saw the pictures and other evidence that @projectgiving raised enough money through hive to build a modern toilet facility and an extra teaching space, the smiles on the faces of those children in Tanzania was a magical and emotional moment of joy. And the Literary Corner radio shows were amazing, and great fun, although I got a little nervous interviewing even with a prepared pad of questions in front of me π
All images used in this post are CC licence from pixabay and the digital art is my own Β© raj808 all rights reserved.
I'd like to say a massive thank you to all the people who have helped and supported me over the years.
It feels good to be in the Rep 74 club
Thanks for reading πΏ π
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Hi @raj808,
Thank you for participating in the #teamuk curated tag. We have upvoted your quality content.
For more information visit our discord https://discord.gg/8CVx2Am
Your content has been voted as a part of Encouragement program. Keep up the good work!
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Congratulations! It can take a while to get the rep to tick over. It took me about a year from 76 to 77. You have given a lot to the community, but that does not always get recognised. It is partly about who you know, but you can have fun anyway. I hope it stays fun for you.
!PIZZA
Thanks for the congrats @steevc
Ah well... it is what it is. I just sometimes wish I'd get my name pulled out of the hat for the ranchorelaxo, appreciator, trafalgar, haejin vote lottery lol
If I could afford to live from writing on hive, like many others who have been put on the golden curation list, then I would publish highly polished fiction and travel articles 5-6/week and not have to put up with over-zealous editors.
I used to be the editor of my University's literary journal, so I know exactly how to edit, but also when to stop so that you don't remove the unique style that any professional fiction writer displays.
Yeah, I get that. And I was on good terms with theycallmedan a few years back, but I tried pitching to him for one of his witness votes for curie, and I don't think he appreciated it, although I'm not sure that was why he stopped curating some of my posts. He basically ignored me for 2 weeks after I'd sent him the report and analysis of why curie should be in the top 20 along with OCD, then after 2 weeks of silence I msg'd him and he said no. There is no need for curie because OCD is in the top 20.
Anyway, sometimes it's not what you know, but who you know π
I know some people lived off their earnings in the early days when a few could make thousands from a post and the price was better. Some may still be able to, especially if they live somewhere cheap. My hope is that as Hive grows the rewards will get spread more.
I won't get votes from haejin/rancho as I upset him ages ago. At least he's no downvoting me. I get support from a few big accounts, but I don't take it for granted. I'm not relying on just one anyway. I'm sure the whales and big orcas get loads of people pleading for support and that must be tiring. They are just human like us. I don't want too much pressure on me.
!BEER
View or trade
BEER.Hey @raj808, here is a little bit of
BEERfrom @steevc for you. Enjoy it!Did you know that you can use BEER at dCity game to **buy dCity NFT cards** to rule the world.
PIZZA Holders sent $PIZZA tips in this post's comments:
@ijat(4/5) tipped @raj808 (x1)
steevc tipped raj808 (x1)
Join us in Discord!
Congrats on this awesome milestone!
It sure takes a long time after we turn 70!
I didn't keep track of how long I've been hoovering on my rep number but it's always cool to see it go up!
You have been adding value to many for sure, I remember you doing these workshops in the promo mentors discord when I was still on my old account. I know you as a kind and supportive person for as long as we've interacted.
Had to laugh out loud reading this:
And they are indeed longer than many of the posts people write! So your 10k comments count as 20k :) haha
Here's to 75 rep soon! (haha)
ha ha, yeah. I have my faults and foibles... but spam commenting isn't one of them.
Thanks for the congrats. It will prob take me another 2-3 years to get to Rep 75 π
Ow dude you are a far bigger writer than many orcas as we all know, and that is exactly how you should be!
Congrats on the 74 as this isn't an easy one to reach and it takes a crapload of effort. Since I have been in the 70s it feels good for my ego, but bad for the feeling of quick satisfaction haha
Yes, it does make you feel like you're in the hive elite π
And I'm talking about myself there as well of course π
Here is a sneaky peek at the novel I'm working on, if you like Game of Thrones, you'll love my fantasy setting:
The morning sun warmed the cobbles. Yesterdayβs baked-on effluence stained the inn wall, running down into the drain at the center of the road. Seagulls pecked at these tendrils of filth. Arktel's nostrils flared as he took a deep breath; ripe, earthy shit hailing another day in the capital city.Arktel couldnβt remember the last time heβd been in this part of town. Heβd become used to a certain quality of life since taking up with the guild.I hope to have it finished (and in bookstores) by this time next year π€ π
Ow please do promote the crap out of this then, as it would be super awesome to just 'purchase' this in a store and show it off with!
For sure, once I've got it in the hands of a literary agent I will discuss with them how much I can get away with promoting it without pissing off publishing houses who demand FPR (first publishing rights).
I am pretty much sure that you can get away with 2-3 paragraph teasers even when going the mainstream publishing route :)
Congratulations for unlocking This Achievement! Hold on - I'm on way to surpass you π buckle up, Joke.
Well now I've idea how much time it takes a person to reach this level , lot's of efforts and hard work being put! Hats of and really happy for you.
This is so me at the moment - Making whole post comment is too much fun.
I'm a newbie (not so) but still learning and so far observed this is happening but wait 2 years to move +1 that's insane.
Agree with the engagement part and I'm taking it seriously. Trying to get involved as much as i can - Making Friends as well and ran out of RC before but now have enough through help of friends to keep making quality engagement or putting more efforts.
Man, I'm really Really inspired with your words and journey - 5 years experience doing that much for hive - you really paid back to community, Huge respect for you.
These words indicates how Good and lovely soul you are!
May your life has no problem and always Stay happy. Would love to read more advice's of yours and learn from you.
More respect and really lucky to meet you!
Stay happy and blessed!
Thanks for the congrats @idksamad78699
Ha ha, I can see you in my rear-view mirror
Thanks again. I'm extremely happy to inspire others to give it their all with their content and engagment π
Hahaha lmao π
My pleasure and very nice to meet you!
Happy new month.
Congratulations @raj808
That is quite an accomplishment.
You have an extensive and impressive Curriculum Vitae.
Thanks for sharing a bit about yourself.
!CTP
Thanks @beststart
Yeah, it has been a long road for me and I was around for all the drama (steem fork to hive etc), when I look back on the amount of skills I've learned (from making digital art, to learning HTML and even video editing) I think that this is the biggest benefit I've gained from hive.
I've been a professional writer for over ten years, but all that other stuff I mentioned was self-taught while joining in with various initiatives on hive (and steem before the fork).
All the best, and thanks for noticing the Curriculum Vitae lol It is probably longer and more involved than my IRL CV π
P.s. cheers for the CTP tip π
You have had an amazing journey on Hive. Congratulations on your achievement. I remember those collage theme artworks. Fantastic.
I have noticed also the slow climb after reaching level 70.
On to 75!
Take care.
Yeah, I really loved the LMAC... but if I am 100% honest (which I nearly always am, sometimes to my detriment) the 20% beneficiary you have to set to the account makes it hardly worth the time in regards to $ value. It is sad, but with my chronic illness I have to choose carefully where I put my time and all those collages took 6-8 hours minimum to create, then 2 hours to write the post as I always included a full breakdown of my photo editing techniques/process.
So even with the trail meaning most of my LMAC posts made $60-$70, half that (50% fgoes to curators) $30 -$35 then remove 20%, let's go on the higher end $35 minus 20% ($7) makes $28, and I noticed that the same people very often were winning the top tier prizes.
All that is what it is... but I literally can't afford to work for $28/10 hours = $2.80/hour.
But I miss making the digital art, so I might make a collection and try to sell them as NFTs instead π
Sry, that might have all sounded negative, but it really isn't meant to be, it is just me being honest and realistic.
I know right? It really becomes very difficult and I'd be surprised if I', at 75 by the next BTC halving in spring 2024 π€£
Thanks for celebrating my milestone with me @justclickindiva π
!CTP
You know you are completely right in your assessment. Yes the 20% is steep. A couple years ago, the rewards on my posts were over $25/each. Now, they're averaging $5/each. And, it does take several hours to prepare IF you're going to present a decent entry. Often, I include a poem or short story. That's really going beyond the effort for the rewards. But I see it's not just me, but others. Perhaps due to the increased participation. But still, some seem to do well each week regardless.
I do feel that a smaller payout with more entries would keep spirits high.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts.
BTW...I celebrated my 3rd year this month! Just didn't feel like doing a spread. Time just keeps rolling on.
Take care.
I think I have seen one of those posts @justclickindiva
And I did the same a few times
Here's one with what I think is a pretty good fantasy style poem: https://peakd.com/hive-174695/@raj808/the-sorcerers-menagerie-lmac-round-101
I also tried to inspire a collab (linked the two communities TheInkWell and LMAC) and was massively disappointed when the LMAC post actually made considerably less than the other LMAC posts I'd made, despite me giving them their 20%.
https://peakd.com/hive-174695/@raj808/the-inn-at-the-end-of-the-world-lets-make-a-collage-lmac-round-122
I think that might have been the straw that broke the camel's back to be honest. As I was trying to encourage a creative collaboration when I wrote the story attached to the digital art:
https://peakd.com/hive-170798/@raj808/the-curse-of-athelstrand-fantasy-fiction-short-story
As far as I was concerned, that was like a slap in the face (and yeah, people can do what they want with their stake) but as the content creators (literally the product of what makes hive more than yet another token among 10s of thousands) it is also our choice what we do with our product (like my thoughts about NFTs) or sometimes I'll try a different community.
At the end of the day, the big advantage with hive is that you can choose to walk away if you feel you're not getting fair value for your time and talent.
Congrats on the milestone ! I think its great and i know you worked hard for it.
I stopped doing my collages some time ago. I was an very early adapter and did many but i felt out with the great artists. Selling them as nft is great. I also never see my images used so than i can better use them myself.
But what ever we feel the lmac grew hugely and any have fun with it and thats a great thing about hive there is something for everybody
Happy wednesday
This is quite amazing. Hahah. I just entered 68 a week ago and I'm all excited and looking forward to joining y'all in the 70+ zone. Haha.
Congratulations. Its a great one. More wins for you
Ha ha, I predict about 1 year if you post every day π It really gets even slower after rep 70. But I know you'll make it dude!
Thanks for celebrating my milestone with me @kenechukwu97 π
Haha... It really gets slower and takes so much time to move from one level to another. Haha. Not an easy stuff at all.
Great job on your journey so far.
!PIZZA
Cheers @ijat
Thanks for celebrating my milestone with me.
Congrats! that rep doesnt come easy on here at all. definitely have to grind and do the right things consistently over time...
Yup, the grind is real. For me, it was always easier back in the day because I there were a lot of fiction comps that I could join and they were well supported by curie and OCD, and when you get loads of votes from a trail that helps move rep quicker.
Thanks for celebrating my milestone with me @bigtakosensei π
Interesting. It took you two years to achieve that plus 1 reputation. I could not imagine how difficult it is to increase one's reputation as it climbs higher.
!CTP
It is extremely difficult. 2 years for me to go from 73-74 but, I took 8 months away from hive during the pandemic to look after my mum who was diagnosed with cancer. She's fine now, but I couldn't deal with writing on hive every day at that time.
So maybe it would normally take 1-1.5 years writing/posting every day.
Thanks for celebrating my milestone with me @rzc24-nftbbg π
Ah, ok. I got it. That's also one reason why it took that long in addition to the technical difficulty. Good to know that your Mom is fine now.
As for me, my primary concern now is how to transform from a Cautious Minnow to a Singing Dolphin. π
Yeah, it's good to be happy with every Hiver's important milestones.
More power to your blockchain journey here on Hive! π²π¦π
!CTP
Congratulations @raj808, you have been quite awesome with your posts of stories, poems, photos and so much more on Hive.
Thank you gratitudemine. It means a lot that you mention my creative writing (poetry and fiction) as that is my passion and what I am working toward doing on a larger scale with the novel I'm working on βοΈ
Thanks for celebrating my milestone with me @gratitudemine π
Very nice! Congratulations on your awesome milestone! π
!CTP
!ALIVE
Thank you @lisamgentile1961
I'm proud of what I've done over the last 5 years here in hive, but right now my chronic health issues mean I have to focus on myself. And to help my mother with her ongoing battle with cancer.
P.s. also thank you for the token tips ππ
You're very welcome! Definitely take care of you and your Mom. Sending healing prayers for both of you. ππ
@raj808! You Are Alive so I just staked 0.1 $ALIVE to your account on behalf of @lisamgentile1961. (1/10)
The tip has been paid for by the We Are Alive Tribe through the earnings on @alive.chat, feel free to swing by our daily chat any time you want.
Good Morning and Thank you, @youarealive! Enjoy your day.π
You too Lisa. ππ₯³
Thank you, Erik! ππ
Congratulations Raj. That is an impressive resume and you have well deserved that 74 rep!
I wish you all the best and improved health. Sorry to hear how you were hit with those bad circumstances.
Thank you @mypathtofire
I have to admit to being proud of what I've done over the last 5 years here on hive. I don't think I've ever been involved in anything even slightly shady. There are a lot of people (especially back in the steem days who were only in it for themselves running bidbots or forming backscratching groups to only vote each other) and they'd probably laugh at me and call me a sucker. But I don't care. There is no reason for helping people other than to help them, it is its own reward π
P.s. also thank you for the good wishes on improving my health ππ
Well done Raj! Those are some fine achievements. I have found myself wanting to learn more and write about many things now thanks to hive. Cheers!
Congratulations @raj808. You were one of the people who gave me the push I needed to hang around when things looked dark. You have always inspired, and will continue to do so.
What a journey it has been. More to come....
Congratulations -- 74 is a big deal! It is HARD to climb ANYWHERE past 70, so the fact that you are still on the move is GREAT!