"...If I couldn't even get users to use this platform, there is no way any would be willing to invest."
That is definitely a problem. But only half the problem - from what I've gathered from my short time here so far is that once a user comes on board, staying is relatively short lived.
I've found some really good members, read several of their posts, got excited anticipating what else was to come, only to discover they haven't posted in several months (@sean-king comes to mind here). And of course there could be many reasons for members not to have posted for a period of time, but then you read others talking about members leaving in droves and you think 'oh damn'.
Steemit is now built and people come, but what's being done to keep them here.
There are dapps supporting users, but imo, they are supporting their own niche. Dlive and Dtube support video producers, steemhunt support the information seekers, fundition with charity, utopian-io with development, etc, etc.
Then there are the communities that support their interests: homesteaders, politics/truth seekers, country/location support, etc. etc.
I see some great writers with no support because they are not in the right communities. For those not willing to play the game on here, or don't know how, and are essentially your everyday 'average user', they really are sh*t out of luck. So they leave this platform.
This user comes to mind for me. I still follow him/her because the video was amazing, and I hope the person decides to come back.
Perfect example of user turnover too. The person received curie support and that amount is more than I've made in my 8 months on Steemit. Yet, that user is no longer here because after that one big payout, the rest were slim earnings. I can list many more examples.
@timcliff here is your answer summed up just perfectly right here:
"... For those not willing to play the game on here, or don't know how, and are essentially your everyday 'average user', they really are sh*t out of luck. So they leave this platform."
I totally agree.
Don't know what 'curie support' is... but it must have been demoralizing for that user to keep working hard producing content for it to be essentially ignored after a successful post like the one you've linked.
Seems it may have caused the opposite effect than intended. Rather than supporting great content and helping build a creator (intention), it showed for a brief second what was possible, only to have it disappear never to return (set the bar too high).
I'll be sticking around for a bit longer; it's still fun finding gems amongst the masses.
😉
Curie is a top witness on here with their mission of supporting the small fishes with their 'Curie' upvote. You have to meet their criteria (i.e, no political, steemit-related posts, etc.) to receive their support. I have never been curie'd, and don't expect to ever be, so not sure what those exact criteria are!
You made a valid point about users being moralized after one big hit and nothing more in between. It's not just with curie, it's with any of the whale supports. Of course the random support is appreciated by the poor minnow, but not everyone is fortunate to receive continuous dolphin/whale support. So here is the conundrum, where then do they turn to support? Probably vote selling to earn passive income.
Do share more insight if you come across any I've missed! ;)
Ah ok, noted. Think i'll never be curie'd either in that case. But I admire their principle.
Thanks for coming by and chatting things through... it was what I thought this platform was about, but haven't had much of it until now :)