Informal Survey Results - Non-Crypto Steem Users.
Last week I asked Steem Users who were not into Cryptocurrency prior to finding Steem to tell me about their experience.
https://steemit.com/busy/@whatsup/are-you-an-end-user-that-wasn-t-into-crypto-prior-to-steem
The responses were overwhelming, spread over 2 posts there were a total of 141 comments and they are still coming in.
70ish people answered at least 1 of the 6 questions I asked.
If you have ever worked on or near a Marketing Team you will appreciate this is a huge response, especially with a difficult "Call to Action".
Due to how the questions were answered in different formats and not all complete, it is very difficult to compile this information in a fact-based cut and dried manner. I used a notebook and hash marks to get a feel for some of the data. :)
response by @krnel (77) who joined us in 2016
Represented in the responders: (I did not look at every single wallet)
At least one Orca, 15ish dolphins, many large minnows and very few Redfish.
Meaning this responding group represents people who are currently holding some Steem.
The largest group of responders from a Reputation Level were lvl 50-69, with over 40 responses. 15 responders had 70 and above, and only 2 under 50.
There were some obvious trends.
Those who joined in 2016 tended to have more stake and higher Reputations than those who joined later.
In 2016 many responders named a well-known person on how they heard about Steem, common examples were James Corbett, and The Dollar Vigilante.
Moving into 2017 many found us via a friend/family or even Google search results. Remember crypto was hot and everyone was talking about it.
response by @filotasriza3 (64), who joined us in Feb 2017.
2018 answers were a mix of the above, and included youtube and dtube as additional places to hear about Steem.
The 2016 responders often came to monetize blogs or other writings. In 2017 getting into crypto was mentioned more often. Again the diversity grows in 2018.
response from @whack.science (66) who joined us in January 2018
Most, but not all responders also have expanded into some other crypto via trading or at least holding on an exchange.
Another thing I noticed from those who joined us in late 2017 or early 2018 is they were more likely to name a Steem App.
Contributed by @amosbastian (70) who joined in Dec 2017
Thoughts: We have an excellent opportunity here to market to, onboard and retain mainstream users. Something most other crypto-currency projects are failing at.
It is my theory this is due to our communication platform and our ability to network and train these end-users even with beta lvl products and procedures (or lack there of)
As we move forward it is my opinion end-users will talk about Steem less and the apps more and I think this is great.
However, with the recent focus on Apps that immediately show an ability to generate revenue I do not want us to lose site of the value of onboarding Mainstream Users.
Thank you so much to everyone who participated and if I may ask the readers go to #mainstreem and help support these users who took their time to tell us about how they got here and why they are still here.
Definitely some confirmation that as a red fish with a low 50s rep and not holding any other crypto I'm in the minority here whilst representing the majority of off the blockchain internet users that might someday stumble in here.
Steem is very much a community of insiders that have already been exposed to crypto and are likely involved in the tech industry in some capacity.
I would imagine there are only so many of these tech inclined users in the world that have the time and or see the value in investing in what from the outside looks like just another tech startup. Perhaps a few million, while there are billions of users like myself that just need an introduction and some guidance to end up joining and staying on a platform like steem.
I'd also venture to say that surprisingly to me the age demographic here is considerably older than one might expect from a hip, fresh, innovative tech. I'm assuming this has something to do with financial stability being somewhat of a requirement here as it's very time consuming to be an in the loop steemian. Time is money, and just being here is an investment, investing is generally not something many under 30 people are focused on.
Interest in investing is fostered by faith. That is currently a big ask here IMHO and not necessarily due to drama or any FUD that exists on this particular blockchain. Just another generalization that crypto investors are a more risk seeking personality type than your traditional person that's looking to establish financial security in our modern world. This is another attribute that is pigeon holing steem and is out of the control of any alliance or procedural initiatives existing internally..
Just a few musings from the minority here. Also, I want to add an ecosystem that not only makes new users feel small and insignificant based on the economic incentives that seem impossible to attain but also having labels like plankton, red fish etc. are demoralizing. But, that's the nature of capitalism, "what can you do for me" "how can we make use of each other" when there is no real hopes of social mobility what you have is a caste system that falsely promotes an idea of some steem dream of rising up the ranks. I have as much chance to become an elected official as I do of becoming a dolphin here. That's basically 0%
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I made 96 posts that didn't earn a thing. The thing with steem is it does take time, you are very right about that. Also, yes, I am also semi retired. However, you are very articulate and it would take you a year or two before you get name recognition, but I absolutely don't think you understand how accounts grow as you hold steem if you are feeling like you can't be a dolphin.
Many of your points about making new users feel small are very true and on the spot. It is never going to appeal to everyone.
However, I totally believe one can build an account. One day you wake up and you have 100 steem and you just keep posting, you've grown your followers and hold your stake... Now you are earning inflation as well as more followers, more people know your name... curation rewards start to roll in at this point as well. The other minnow that you started with grow also..
Now it starts to go faster... You hit 1000... that is a real turning point... it moves much faster, 10k... etc. It take time.
That's some amazing fortitude to persevere after nearly 100 posts that didn't earn! I appreciate you saying that I'm articulate, and also for your insistence that one can grow here with dedication and the right attitude/approach.
I will remember to check myself and respect the process while keeping an open mind. You're right in that getting over 120 sp has snuck up on me, and with an equal amount of delegation I should be happy that ultimately I'm a steem success story after only 3 months. If the price of steem was only where it was when I joined I'd have to admit it's pretty amazing my account would be worth about 100 USD and all I've done is create some semi decent content for entertainment purposes..
Considering retention in and of itself is cause for celebration, I should be elated. I think if the value of steem goes up the community will be a bit more apt to venture outside of their territory and see that there is a new class coming in that must become the next minnows and dolphins to keep the ecosystem diverse and healthy.
Posted using Partiko Android
As my ex father in law would say, interesting.
Posted using Partiko iOS
Nice. Many examples came after me but I guess had higher stake or rep. Nice to see you used your footer!
Thanks for the answers and of course the footer!
It's interesting how quickly the apps have been taking off in the last year. I still feel a relative newcomer, but when I started it was pretty much just Steemit and a few add ons to help, such as steemdb, steemd and steemnow. It's definitely a much more varied experience fur newcomers now and I love that it had evolved so much. Had we still been with just Steemit, I wonder if we'd have retained as many as we have.
Posted using Partiko Android
Many thanks for this overview. It's tough work to analyse such a data set. I appreciate it a lot.
What strikes me, is "the recent focus on Apps that immediately show an ability to generate revenue". Focus on Apps is great, because these target and attract specific user groups, Steemit can't reach.
Where I see a potential conflict of interest popping up, is here:
The marketing discussion is focussing on making Steem the place for communities. Building communities is normally not going along with a "quick buck". How shall we deal with this?
It's a great question and one I am not sure of.
What I predict might happen is we do both for a bit. I think if we get communities an economy continues to develop.
Glad to help! It's been a pleasure, if you need anything else, hit me up!
STEEM ON!
I agree with the importance of mainstream users which is why I am closely following the initiatives of @steemonboarding which will sure help many as they onboard here and throughout the many Dapps and communities forming.
Posted using Partiko iOS
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