Thick on consistency
I get comments on many of my Steem topic posts when I mention powering up or investing about how hard it is to earn Steem. Recently I got one saying how much Steem is required to get a 0.01 vote. At the current price of the 3.5 day average of $1.64, it is 47 Steem. That is $77.08 US to buy. Quite a lot depending on what that value is worth in some countries. Not much for others though, right?
But, how hard is it to actually power up that much here?
When I checked the profile of the person who said this I found that their last post was 10 days ago. This is just not consistent enough for someone who also said that they spend time giving advice to newbies about how to interact here.
If someone can't afford to buy into Steem, earning via posting is essentially the only way they can get a hold of some and, it will unlikely be much easier than it is now. People will complain about the rewards and about how no matter the quality of their posts, they are unable to get more than so and so but, that 'so and so' is on average more than zero. If it is more than zero, it is earning something. Sure, you might not see it as worth your time for 10 cents but, you might think 10 dollars would be decent.
How do people expect to get to the 10 dollar earning bracket if they aren't willing to keep posting when it is 10 cents? How do they think that people will consider that they are worthy of a follow if they post every 10 days and their posts are lack-lustre? Or, if they spam low quality for 10 cents, 10 times a day, who is going to really follow them and upvote them 10 dollars?
This is the issue that many content creators seem to struggle with here and that is, the inconsistency of larger votes but, to have consistently larger votes (without buying them or being part of some circle) requires consistently developing content that is worthy of a vote. The good should heavily outweigh the poor in a blog, at least while attempting to grow.
People come here expecting it to be easy and when it isn't, they tend to complain and point fingers but, it isn't easy and it is only going to get more difficult in time as more people come on to compete and prices increase. Do not forget this.
Another comment I get quite regularly is saying that whales should be more invested in distributing value to the smaller users and content producers to encourage them. Once upon a time I thought similar until realizing that it is not their job to build newbies, it is the middle classes' but, they don't really exist.
Whales are invested (powered up) in Steem which is what makes them whales and, there is literally only a handful of them in the waters in comparison to tiny users. They have to think about what is the best for their significant investment. They know that distribution is important for stability and growth but, they also know that a foundation needs to be built.
This means that they should probably be splitting their value across building activities like apps and services to help them grow and, building the middle class of community distributors to help them become distribution points in the future for the lower end users. There aren't many community distribution points but, there are many, many small users that want to be fed. It is nonsensical to think that a whale can find and give them all a vote, and this is what people really mean when they state that large accounts need to distribute more. What is hidden in the subtext is, distribute more to me.
The problem I find with many users is consistency of posting both in time and on quality as well as, consistency in effort over time. People come in expecting fast results and large rewards but this is just not viable considering the already 60,000+ active users a day. There is already a lot of competition for attention and support and for the most part, the 'only content producers' are going to take a backseat when all of the apps, developers and community builders are sucking up available resources to build. Not to mention the 1000 dollar bot-voted crap in Trending.
When it comes to being only a content producer, the only real way forward is to be among the best and most consistent content producers out there, and this takes an immense amount of work that for the most part, is likely to go unrewarded, especially in the early days of an account. So, you better love what you do and write about because that feeling of enjoying writing and a job well done might be the only reward you get. Is that a bad thing?
Hardly. Most people in this world have to work at jobs they don't love and even though they get paid for it, it generally sucks their soul until not much creativity remains. The beauty of Steem is that you can do what you love and have the potential for reward. There is no guarantee but, at least you did something you loved.
Lately, I feel that I need to do a fair bit of expectation management as people come in thinking certain things that just aren't true. What is true? Who knows but that is for you to find out. One hint though, before laying blame on the system or whales, look in the mirror and at the behaviors of users much like yourself. It will point to where there are risks and opportunities and remember, the only one you can directly effect is you. So, what are you going to do about you?
It might not be worth your time to post, it might not be worth your effort to engage or comment well and it might not be worth your time to invest anything into this platform at all. But, there are a number here who do think it is worth their time to provide good content, develop apps and services and try to build the foundations of a social media that has a chance to redefine both the social and media aspect, as well as throw in the ability for large numbers of people to have some kind of alternate revenue stream.
Some of the people here now will potentially be among the richest in the world soon enough and some will have fundamentally changed their living conditions for the rest of their life for the better. To have those kinds of results takes consistency, not the odd whale vote. It is in the consistency that a life of self-reliance can be developed and a community can thrive both economically and creatively.
Right now, the foundations need to be set and that is where the majority of Steem will be laid. If you are a content producer alone; be consistent, be patient and love what you create. There are no guarantees but one day, it might just pay off incredibly.
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
There is no bigger writing beast as you! Haha. Funnily yesterday I started normal blogging again. And I plan to keep to post atleast 3 times in a week even if it's short posts. My goal is not necessarily to earn big on my posts, but I kind of just like to put my thoughts on the chain.
I think that it is a good idea. check out the tag I started a week ago #anhouraday, it is pretty cool and a few people have been consistent. I gave you a follow so I can keep an eye on you and call you out if you get lazy ;)
Honestly, I think you're right. Not that I earn much now, but when I look back to a year ago, on my blog, and find posts that earned absolutely nothing, I'm shocked that I managed to pull through those times, seem unthinkable. You're right, you can't come in expecting huge rewards. But if you give it enough time, things to get better. If you're consistent, true.
But then, that's the way people have always been, expecting high pay for their mere presence, no?
One thing that is arguable, I think. You mentioned someone who doesn't post, yet spends a lot of time interacting or giving others advice. Now, I know some people (mainly high-rep-ish curators) who spend a lot of time interacting, talking, commenting etc yet don't post much themselves and I think some manage a good amount of interaction that way. So...I think it's really subjective :)
yeah, it is quite incredible what can happen in a year.
When it comes to the interaction and not posting, it depends on what their goals are. Like you said, high rep curators are also unlikely to be complaining about whales not voting on their posts. It also can mean they are already invested and don't mind doing what they do. Everyone has different paths here but, if earning consistently larger amounts is one, one has to do more than comment most likely.
Thank you for this post! Consistency is the key. I agree that I am guilty of inconsistency but then again, I do not make excuses. I am very busy; it is what it is. When I have time, I sign on to steemit. I love reading the posts and others points of view. I know that I will not get rich from my own posts, but I spend as much time as I am able. People should not make excuses.
there are apps that make posting easier/faster and in time, you may get rich from your posts now. Small amounts earned now are going to add up later.
Thanks! There is always hope.
ROFL
I was waiting for this. Saw it coming. Although the same thought pop into my mind when I read the comment. I also opened a create a post page.
You can't hide anything here. For those who know where to look will expose your true intentions. Might take a little bit, but it will come out.
There is inspiration in every comment, this one was a couple bundled together ;)
How I see it is those who comment are the minority of what many are actually thinking and feeling so addressing the comments helps address larger group sentiment.
Comments are like a gold mine if you just take the time to read them . People seem to look at the post get there comment and vote in and run. There is value not only in the post but the comments.
I think I am saying the same thing you just said but getting it settled in my mind :)
It really pays to be consistent, not just in steemit but in all our endeavors as the saying goes "what is worth doing is worth doing well", we all need to sit up and stop expecting rewards for something we didn't work hard for.
What is worth doing is not only worth doing well, it is worth doing for no reward.
Yes sir point of correction, for no reward actually is the best for anyone, rewards are just extra things that come by.
You've said it all. Consistency is the key. When I started on here, I was making post but I wasn't rrally getting better returns and I thought of giving up on steemit. However, I sat back, did some research and realized that steemit is not a play for the get rich quick people or a place to joke or even post anything and get rewards.
I discored that one need to be consistent bot in posting quality contents and interacting with other steemains through commenting genuinly on their post and as well joining a community of your interest.
I have learnt a lot on steemit and am grateful for that.
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful post.
It takes some people a lot of time to work out how the place operates and some a lot less. The trick is to never stop being curious and learning all you can here. It is part of the consistency.
Yea, you are right. Each day I learn new thing of which I wouldn't have if I didnt come around.
Hinestly, everyday is an opportunity to learn new thing.
I agree that winning steemit requires perseverance and quality work. For countries like ours, any amount of money goes well, because our economy is very bad. Many find in steemit not only the possibility of earning some money. For me the most interesting thing is to work doing something that I like, like writing. I think it's a great platform, and I'm happy to be part of it. Thanks for your valuable guidance. regards
I live in one of the most expensive countries in the world and although currently struggling, I am doing my best to not have to dip into SP. I would rather work twice as hard in the real world and burn twice as fast than rely on this place for earning. This is my investment for the future.
Excellent, because you are still very young. In my case, as a retired person, it is an activity that pleases me and entertains me. In addition, writing keeps the mind active and healthy. Greetings.
Wham...Bam...thank you....
You nailed it.
So many complain without doing anything on here. I had one person mention someone who was a superb photographer and how nobody upvoted her stuff and that showed how the system was broken. She does galleries.
I looked at her account, she might be a great photographer but a lousy networker. Her total posts (posts and comments) was just over 200 after 10 months on here. That isnt going to get someone very far.
This is social media meaning interaction is important. I tell all who complain, make 10,000 posts in the next 10 months, quality ones (including comments) and tell me how unfair things are at that point.
I posted an idea for the month of July...getting 10K minnows and red fish to post 3-4 times a day. This will overload the system. They also need to use their allotted voting power...even circle upvote each other.
I wonder how many will participate. My guess is it wont be a ton. Easier to complain than to use all the tools here. My god, there is Steepshot, parley.io, dtube, dsound, zappl, in addition to steemit/busy. There is even Steemhunt now.
So many tools to create content yet so few do.
You are spreading a great message...keep it up.
It would be pretty interesting to see what 40k posts extra + associated comments would do to the system.
Yes, there are so may tools here to utilize but most do not and what they think is a good comment is 'thanks'. I think that for me, one of the largest opportunities I have taken is to comment as well as time permits me. Lately, it has been harder due to family difficulties yet, still here.
People have every excuse in the book as to why they can't but talk to them about the latest game, sports or TV show and they will give a rundown of every episode and play. There are some very talented people who don't seem to realize that social media requires socializing, especially since people at the start aren't 'friends and family' like the other platforms.
This one should be on trending for example, let's blame whales.
lol... I should call Dory, she speaks whale and perhaps can give them a call ;)
Expectations are way too high of the new users because of the trending page. When reality sets in and your post at best gets 0.05 and maybe a comment the reality sets in.
It takes time and effort and there are no shortcuts. the smaller you are the harder you have to work. I know it will pay off and Steemit could be the best pension plan out there.
If we can get this place to survive, everyone here now is wealthy in 20 years. Everyone.
Funny after reading this post I hadn't done one yet as I have been rushed off my feet today. You made me feel bad so I have done 2. I agree with you anything is better than nothing. You have to grow and it is that simple. Going to bed now though.