I spent my first month commenting and reading posts trying to build up some sort of following first. there is nothing worse than posting and receiving a big 0 for your effort.
Extremely valid point. I saw a girl who posted a quality article recently, and she had a following of only 4.
Without an audience, we are really talking to a dead wall. That is why #2 was important combined with consistent engagement.
You said it better. :)
Do not worry about rewards as it takes time and getting comments on your posts is more important in the beginning as it means people are reading them.
Unfortunately that is the reality of this place. 8 hours a day over two years and it is now easier but only just. You have to go through a period of acceptance which is also understandable as no one wants to support someone that is also going to disappear. Most of the older users have seen people come and go and why some of the returning users probably don't get as much support. I know certain names I will never vote again..
We will have a continuous flow of users - entering and exiting. It is part of any online community, as you know.
That is why I also made a new plan just now.
Because like you said:
I am surprised no one has discussed this before.
The problem is with most new users is they expect too much for doing very little. Wait until Hive is at $4 or $5 this place will be flooded and they disappear as fast as they come. I think we have all tried to get people we know and also fairly reluctant too as well. All of us have been let down at some point and as much enthusiasm as you have this is not going to be easy. Hive will grow over time but we honestly need a decent app that draws people in. A decent game or something which we don't have unfortunately.
True.
You are right. I also feel we have two problems: one of development, and the other of marketing. I often compare Steemit to Medium - and see how Medium simply took off... like a rocket... literally changing people's lives.
It is a shame because something clearly went wrong here.