Five Months on Steemit: Writing "for Yourself" vs. Writing "for Steemit"
Sitting here, sipping my morning coffee, I realized that today-- June 30th-- is my "5-month anniversary" of joining Steemit.
Woo-hoo!
I'll start by saying I'm super grateful I came across this community. It came at an opportune and almost time.
Graffiti on a construction fence, Amsterdam
Social Media Exhaustion
On the "social" side, I was getting to the point of "maximum saturation" on Facebook's (and other platforms') eternal rehashing and gnashing of teeth over the outcome of the US Presidential election. Trump won the election-- GET OVER IT!
If you like it, stop rubbing it in everyone's face like a trophy and get on with your life. "Make America Great Again?" Don't just wave banners and stand there talking about it, get out there and make it happen!
If you hate it, stop whining and whimpering, and put your energy into creating meaningful change that will help support your views, and get on with your life. Giant pity parties don't change the world, action does!
I was at a point of feeling ready to just turn off social media, completely.
Blogging Fatigue
Elsewhere-- in spite of the fact that I love to write-- my several well circulated niche blogs were suffering from a sincere lack of inspiration.
This guy was moving faster than my blogging...
For about a year, I'd been questioning why I was even bothering... in spite of the fact that many of my posts were read by 500, 1000... sometimes even 10,000 unique readers I felt like it was all sort of meaningless; I felt very disconnected from my ostensible "readers." Three very "formal" comments on a blog post "does not a dialogue make."
I was also getting super tired of the "monetization game." Trying to write things with the "right" keywords, that "Google would like," so my Adsense revenue would remain solid... was just never my style. In my world, that's "putting the cart before the horse." Writing, to me, is finding inspiration and exploring it... independently of whether or not it's "popular."
I guess I'm just not that mercenary. Or whatever...
Welcome to the World of Steemit!
Butterfly taking a rest in the sun
The timing for Steemit to show up was perfect because of what the platform offered: Social Blogging.
It was a place to share and explore actual ideas at some length-- and then explore those ideas further in very active and generally quite intelligent discussions. It was something I really hadn't seen in more than a decade.
So my sincere thanks to Steemit, and to our awesome community... which I credit with having rekindled and jump started my old love of exploratory writing!
But WHAT Shall We Write About Today?
So, five months and some 220-odd original blog posts in-- and don't get me wrong, I still love creating content on Steemit-- I am noticing here a bit of the same duality that dominates the external web landscape, as well.
Inside the courtyard of an old Danish farm
There is no doubt that a lot of people here-- and this is NOT a criticism-- are engaged in the business of creating content specifically for "popularity." Over and over, they write about Steemit tips and Bitcoin and cryptocurrencies and Steemit apps... and build generally generous followings and rewards. They are, in essence, "writing FOR Steemit." That is, their content would have no particular value, were it published somewhere other than Steemit.
Others-- and I would include myself in that group-- write for the enjoyment of it; to share and explore ideas; perhaps to teach and enlighten, maybe to develop their art or creativity... sometimes in niche topics, sometimes not. They are more "writing ON Steemit," and their content would "have value" no matter where it might be published, otherwise. Sadly-- with a few notable exceptions-- it seems harder to to build a following and gain "traction" with such an approach.
Again, these are simply observations... not criticisms.
Anyway-- it's great to be here!
How about YOU? What is your approach to publishing on Steemit? Writing specifically "for popularity," or writing "what interests you," with popularity a secondary consideration? How did you FIND Steemit? There are lots of interesting stories about that, so DO share? Leave a comment-- share your experiences-- start the conversation!
(As usual, all text and images by the author, unless otherwise credited. This is original content, created expressly for Steemit)
Posted 20170620 22:18PST
I've been here twice as long as you. I can see where you're coming from but we walk a different path. I'm here for the social. I enjoy the dialog. That was the reason I was on FaceBook for so many years. Since HF18 there is dialog on Steemit.
Yeah...I hammer on the same thing quite bit...because I have a constant influx of noobs. What's old hat to you and I is a mystery to the noobs. Don't forget that until internalized steemit is HARD. Sometimes it takes a few repetitions to understand what's happening.
Happy aniversery.
Thanks!
Different objectives, yes. And the social here is sure a lot better than Farcebook... I know there are little "pockets" over there that are more interesting... the flow here is a lot freer.
And thanks for the reminder... yeah, what's "old" to me might be new to someone else.
you're welcome.
keep on Steemin
I think people should definitely write about topics they care about. Stories need to be genuine. Stories written entirely for profit will not be rewarded anyway here on Steemit, people would be able to spot that motive from far away.
But,
On the other hand I do not see a problem in putting an angle on your favorite topic in such a way that it will affect a greater audience. I see a lot of value in writing about stuff in a way that it helps the readers with a problem / question they might have. Writing FOR Steemians is a very tangible way of doing just that.
What do you think?
ronni
@ronni, I have always believed in the old saying "write what you know," and hereunder the idea that we should stick to things we really care about. I know some people can "write to order" but I have always felt their articles to be... flat and lacking somehow. Of course, when I talk to them, they don't actually *care" about that... they just ask "but how many HITS did it get?" That's not me, and it never was.
Can it be written to "appeal to your audience?" Absolutely!
@denmarkguy I think you and I joined Steemit at about the same time. For what it's worth, I usually stop to read everything you write. If for nothing else, I'm happy to have connected with you on this platform. You are certainly additive and inspirational to my life.
That being said, for me I try to write within the intersection of what I think interests others as well as what interests me. I can't really write on anything that doesn't interest me, just doesn't work. I'm happy to create good content, but I also want to get some form of compensation as well.
I think that the bottom line is "it's not about me" -- well mostly. In other words, I have to write something that others are interested in hearing, but I can't write unless I'm inspired to as well.
@rocketbeee, thanks! I was just reading your most recent post and the name "rocketbee" finally sunk in when I saw the rocket photos. Yes, I think we joined about the same time... I've enjoyed your posts, too.
I just like to tell stories and "think our loud." Sometimes I make people think, sometimes I teach something, sometimes I just rattle cages and make people mad. And it's all OK... I guess I am personally slightly biased against "writing for popularity" because of my years as a technical writer where I was "ordered" to write certain things a certain way... and I eventually quite because I realized I had "sold out" on my own creativity.
@denmarkguy
I enjoyed this post...especially where you differentiated those who are "writing FOR Steemit & those "writing ON steemit. Well for me, steemit is where one can express his ideas, feelings, fears and emotions in writing. Either " FOR" or "ON" does not matter to me but what matters is the positive impact the content has on the community. I for one is still basking in the euphoria of new member & has not posted much but should I choose a side to be on, I choose in between as I shall aim "FOR & ON" both expressing myself in writing & trying to ensure my posts reach many & if popularity comes through posting what people love to read or wanna know then I do both!
Thanks for this opportunity to express my view...
@kenhudoy, one of the beautiful things about Steemit is precisely that we have a certain freedom to express here; that's somewhat lacking on other social platforms. I totally agree that the bottom line might be "does it add VALUE?" with the understanding that "value" might mean different things to different people.
Thanks for the comment!
Always welcome sir. Your posts inspires me...glad to be following you. Keep steeming!
I was interested to read that you had so little engagement on your other blogs - being read by 500-1000 people, but getting only 3 formal comments. I see this on so many blogs. Why is that?
I 've got to admit that I've never left a comment on someone's stand-alone blog, because it seems like I have to register, or maybe I would never come back to that blog. It seems harder to even think of developing a rapport with a blog writer. I like Steemit and YouTube because the culture does seem to be lots of comments and connecting with people.
I think you already answered your own question, at least in part! :)
I'll add two general bits, though... the major blog carriers-- WordPress and Blogger-- are not communities. Your blogs there are essentially individual free-standing web sites that happen to be blogs.
The other bit is that most blogs are somewhat "static" rather than dynamic. They are not created and laid out in a format that invites discussion. Half the time, the comment feature itself is served by a 3rd party like Disqus.
On Steemit, everything is connected under a single umbrella... similar to social blogging sites of 12-15+ years ago.
It does seem that the culture of websites doesn't include much discussion. I think it would be disheartening to have 500-1000 and only a few comments. I can see from YouTube how important comments are to building connections among people, and Steemit sure confirms it for me. I appreciate your perspective on blogging, with all that you've been involved with over the years!
Hey denmarkguy , I like your thoughts on the whole political thing going on in the States and definitely agree that it's time to move on , whatever "side" you are on.
Anyways , just wanted to reply to the questions at the end of your post. Personally I think I just post what ever I am thinking about or feeling at the moment and don't really plan too much , which I guess is one reason it takes me ages to actually post something.
And in all honesty , I would say that I do post things that I am interested in , or at the very least I don't post about things I have no interest in :) . Hmmm ... On the popularity thing , I don't think I would ever post on a subject because I thought it would be popular , however with that said , I do find it , discouraging or ... deflating or something along those lines , when I post something and it hardly gets any votes or infinitely worse , hardly anyone is actually reading the post. It makes me pause for a moment and think 'why bother' , if no one or hardly anyone is reading , and I am basically just talking to myself ... what is the point exactly.
And those things do cross my mind at times on here , but nevertheless , I continue to post anyway :) . One can only hope that their posts are helpful and/or interesting for others to read. And with that hope firmly in hand , I will continue here on Steemit.
Much of mine happens "in the moment," as well. Originally, my intention was to get something done with the 100's of notes I have with scribbled ideas I never developed... but I have maybe gotten to about 10-15 of those; everything else has been "new."
"Popular," for me is coincidental/accidental... just depends on what I am posting. Writing about cryptos and Steemit tends to be well received and I did make quite a bit off a couple of posts... but that doesn't inspire me to make that my song of one note.
But we all have our own reasons for writing; for me, it's often an exercise in "clearing my head."
Congratulations on your anniversary. This site is certainly better for having you. Youre posts are among the best in terms of quality and thoughtfulness, and I always enjoy reading what you have to share.
@redhens, thanks for the kind words! It's a pretty amazing and inspiring platform for all of us... and is I ever feel at a loss for what to write next, all I need to do is read 10 random posts, and something pops up and OFF we go!
I just write to keep the demons away... If I don't get them out they live inside me! I'd rather have them somewhere else!!!
Funny to hear you say that... one of my earliest post here on "why I write" was precisely out it being "to emopty my head" so all those swirling thoughts don't keep bouncing around in there, causing mayhem and mischief.
My problem is when I write, more stuff starts to swirl... usually just at bedtime! I spend half the night jumping writing down ideas for stories.
I just write what I feel and what I see and take pictures of, I'm here mainly to meet people from all over the world and see how they live and where they live their culture their food and their pictures! I love it here its the best thing that has happened to me in a long time and greetings to you and have a beautiful weekend!
I hear you! I think the truly global nature of Steemit is a large part of what makes the community so unique and amazing. Have a great weekend, yourself!
Thank you! I'm happy because it's raining! Great for my garden, night!🌝
Ha ha... I got burned out by the election brouhaha from all the way across the pond.
You gave me a few thoughts.
The far left and the far Trump both kind of sound like each other. They both seem to have fixated a a very small range of human life as being the cause of all troubles, and they both seem to have fixated on a very small range of solutions. In short, both groups seem like ideologues.
I am using Steemit to write about my tutelage in cybersecurity along with the occasional personal musing. I am using it as a sort of accountability device to keep me on track. I hope to find an audience eventually, but I don't care if I don't.
I follow the political circus less and less... and I think your point is exactly right, and fewer and fewer people do stay involved because those in power seem to represent more and more of an "extreme fringe" rather than the more solid citizens somewhere closer to the middle.
Yeah, I remember reading you have a very specific mission... and I like the idea of using Steemit as "documentation." My wife is actually considering serializing a book she's writing on Steemit, again to have a "permanent" record.