I like to claim baldly that I have been on Hive since the very beginning, but that is only true to a certain extent: Without a doubt, it applies to the original conception of Hive a year and a half ago, when it split from the former blockchain to become truly centralized. But if I take that chain into account too, I must say I was relatively late to the party: It was the Summer of 2017 when I first became a blockchain blogger, when endless growth was the norm, causing serious disappointment when things started to go downhill in 2018. Since then, I guess I must have gotten so used to the endless downtrend, that our current price action feels like a shock to me now.
What Happened to the HIVE Price?
It was about a month ago when the HIVE price first started stirring, breaking the psychologically important one-dollar limit, which we got quite close to right after forking into own blockchain. Exactly a year later that limit had remained unsurpassed, though the price had climbed up to about 70 cents, tuning us all optimistic. However, it would take another five months of uneventful sideways progression before we got close to the one-dollar HIVE again, successfully passing it this time. What happened then, over the last three weeks more or less, can be seen as a dream come true, or just the beginning of things to come, depending on your interpretation. The HIVE price soared and got very close to three dollars, before correcting itself back down to two bucks. I'm quite pleased, and expect a similar rally to even loftier heights very soon. Still, the resulting changes on the blockchain did throw me off a little.
Votes, Rewards, and Voting Mana
The very first change I noticed, was the increased rewards for each vote. This applies across the board, so not only would my own vote ensure a good 50 cents for the article I clicked on (provided my mana is full and I vote full strength), but suddenly my own posts were getting rewards as if they had been curated! And yes, this also applies to everyone on Hive, so while the distances between individual Hiveans remained the same, compared to the outside world our blogging suddenly matured from a weird little hobby into professional territory (okay, I guess this also depends on where you live). However, at the same time there were a few unexpected changes.
Most interestingly, it seems like everyone and their dog-walker has started posting again, making me recognize names in my feed I had not seen in ages. So I started casting votes happily... until I realized that my mana got almost used up, for the first time ever. As a result, I have been practicing moderation in voting, waiting for my mana to be restored, while feeling sorry that I can't spread more love in these affluent times. If you have been wondering why I haven't voted for you lately, even though I usually do, this is the reason. @anomadsoul offers in this post a simple way to deal with this problem.
However, I can see the same tendency on the side of my followers as well. Though the overall rewards for each post has literally gone through the roof, the number of votes I typically get for a post has decreased, making me feel a lot like in the good ole days. Being paid over ten bucks for a post of less than 50 voters? I remember feeling super psyched about it, imaging what it would be like once I have built up a good following. Well, here we are! Though just like with my own mana, I am certain that this is only a temporary effect, over all.
Getting Ready for the Blogging Masses
Another thing we can pretty much take for granted in times like these, is the sudden influx of brand-new users (as well as returning Hiveans) who all want a piece of the action, now that the price is up. This post by @selfhelp4trolls explains it very well, including what you can expect from those new bloggers, and what they may be looking for. Came for the money, stayed for the community is a frequently heard explanation of how and why people ended up on Hive. Of course, one doesn't cancel out the other, but if the price falls before those who came for the money managed to find their community, we are going to lose a bunch of us again. So what can we do?
Highlight the Best Aspects of Hive!
So now it's up to us old Hiveans to welcome the new users with open arms. It is hard enough to understand the intricacies of blockchain blogging without getting into the touchy-feely community things. These new users will probably be most interested in the hard money, first and foremost. But what is not immediately obvious, is how different this environment is from the legacy social media sites, where you have to work with (and often around) algorithms to figure out how to be most efficient, meaning profitable. Whereas on Hive ... it has to do more with voting, commenting, and reblogging at first, but very soon paying attention to social engagement, posting valuable content, and ... well, forming communities.
When these new users have become valuable new members in the tribes of their interest, and shifted their attention to meaningful exchange of information (initially all in the interest of higher rewards), then they are more likely to stick around even once the price comes back down eventually. By then they may even realize that they could just buy HIVE cheaply, and continue blogging and engaging in their communities even for lower rewards. Good for them, but great for us, because if we manage to increase the number of active users, the inevitable price fall will level out somewhere higher than the previous normal. Could that be right around the two dollars we're at today? Honestly, I don't think this is unrealistic at all. So c'mon, let's make it happen!
I've been also pleasantly surprised at how the price has changed my Hive experience. And yes, like you, I started on Steem when it was on the downhill slide and have earned my stripes by curating and staying on task when Hive was down in the 0.11 zone. LOL.
Making a point to upvote and support some newbies today.... x
Much love from Thailand.
Oy yes, certainly, I'll get there myself soon. For now my mana is still at 60%, so I won't too crazy. But I did want to vote on you last "check your privilege" post I read this morning, because I liked it so much.
The price actually got up to $3.26, if I'm remembering correctly. And that is coincidentally when I showed back up after a few months away... not my specific reason, and it makes me feel kind of dirty. lol
I was excited about #Hive back when it was well under $1 anyway. I'm here for the long haul. 😎
Not at all...! We love having old bloggers back, at any time, for any reason. Hmmm... okay, maybe not ANY reason, but as long you're one of the good ones, we're glad to have you back!
Good? Hell, I'm great! I'm sensational... a fork will come when the witnesses unanimously vote to rename the chain "Dave" and I will say: "Thank you, but no."
Sigh. I'm also humble (and a sarcastic pain in the ass at times). I'll shut up now. 🙄
I post slowly but been here since the infamous split, approx weey or biweekly, just been sharing my music releases because I usually get feedback. I simmer posts slowly been here during the lows too. Like a few months ago I started to be around often, even more no after the hivefest and then boom... It felt great, for me it means my vote is more, lol, and encouraged to maybe post more often because it could be a difference to me in a complicated time. Now seriously some returned and were friends I had missed, felt nice, But the most amazing thing for me is engagement. From having a few comments (some here have been consistently encouraging and it is easy to see most replies from last hear comes from a back to have more encouraging feedback.
I like busy hive
Well, and I guess that is because seeing that someone actually read what you wrote is a reward in and of itself. If they liked it, even better. But if they have something to add, to comment, to take away, etc. then you are already in a conversation, and - boom - a connection has been made. Getting coins in addition for it, is only a cherry on the top.
Indeed, proof of reading/watching is a REWARD even without an upvote, I am gonna be honest the fact that my last posts got such an amazing payout makes me so grateful,it is so needed,but what really encourages me as an artist is the feedback. Reach for an artist is a a needed part of the equation. Very encouraged. So hope we moon, or hope they stay. I will be posting as I have done even if slowly and at my pace since hive came to me as long as there is one person who cares to listen
Completely agree, as I feel the same way. Would that make me an artist too, though? Or could we extend this need for reach to simply being human? In other words, are we all artists deep down, wanting to communicate not just with words, but with ideas, notions, and emotions? Thanks for this cool comment, by the way, and for meeting an essential need. :-)
You are you totally right and I stand corrected and humbled by such words. Though not everyone has that purpose, but yes, feels good that many do.
And true art has many ways to manifest, even in inspiring words or a hearty meal. It is more a feeling than a tag. Best regards. By the way. Pris here. Waves!
I really wonder what caused the Hive rally and the price to go over 3 even if it then came back down.
It would interest me too, but honestly, I have no idea. Any speculations (or hot info) on your side?
I have absolutely no clue. It has been slowly going back down and I think it will go back to under $1 but with everything the Hive blockchain is developing, I think eventually it will go back up.
It was very surprising indeed when the hive value climbed to the top. What is not surprising is the value of some contents during the old days when the value was high is starting to be the same. The too much value post, I mean, and yeah I read anomadsol post not long ago and I agree with him.
I hope those whales will not abuse their powers because every content creators deserve to earn and all of us can benefit from it.
As far as I can see, we do earn. Sure, it doesn't come immediately, and you have to put in some work, but at least for me it was all worth it. But then again, I haven't looked at Trending posts in years (since peakd doesn't feature those, I hardly even remember them), so no idea what's up with overpaid bloggers. I'm sure they still exist, I just don't pay them any mind.
Looks like most crypto has taken a brutal hit in the last few days. The stock markets are also weak. Wonder what is going on?
It would interest me too, but honestly, I have no idea. Any speculations (or hot info) on your side?
I didn't get to start when you started but it has actually been a nice experience since I started hive last month.the pump in price really made everyone proud.i still see hive going higher that it's current price very soon
Nice, welcome to Hive then! You may have noticed all the talk about how amazing things are here. That is by no means just a phenomenon of price excitement, but pretty much the norm. As for me, I like it. It makes you feel optimistic, as not to say "proud", but it also makes it clear that thanks to self-regulation and decentralization this really IS a superior social network.
Yeah exactly there is much optimism which is a very nice feeling.thansk alot and for the encouragement the optimism is part of what giving me morale most of the time.thanks alot
It's crazy... nice to see some consistent rewards. With more users also means plagiarists too but hopefully the good writers also. I love this place .. Haven't written a HIVE specific post for ages. D3finitely always encourage the newbies...rare I see good ones stick around though!
Great article