RE: To The Talented New Writers - Don't Write for The Money! - 'The Game' and my Final Advice
Wow, just wow! Double wow! You got my full 12 cents and a follow. Best post I've ever read on Steemit. That is true at the moment, because I am having the exact same epiphany that you expressed in this post.
Two days ago I gave up on @randowhale and his ilk, if my posts make no money, so be it. I am done with the allusion that I'm making $7 when it is really the crypto that I was paid 7 days ago, regurgitated into a post that made the "hot" tab for 15 seconds.
I got off to a great start on Steemit myself, a couple hundred dollar posts made me think I could make a living on Steem, I had recently lost a job and thought, "could I really do this full time?"
And then the reality set in, it's a bit of a game, the people in the watchtower see you enter, give you a few rewards from their curation trail, you are catapulted to a 51 reputation and then abandoned.
You need to write for yourself and for your few followers. It's like life, you will only have a few close friends and plenty of associates. Don't worry about the rewards, until they come.
I have considered MSP, randowhale, etc., but something, in the back of my mind, made me uneasy... I realized that I believe in the concept behind Steemit.
People. People are the key to Steemit, with all their warts and vile opinions. Bots are the enemy of curation, because the real wealth we are creating on Steemit is the legacy of our conversations, committed willfully unto our posterity, born of our self respect and compassion one for another.
Money?
I don't care. I expect the imbalances to go away, fat bags of money will chase the next new profit scheme, and then Steemit can actually become what, in it's myriad potentials, it can be, and bring to us.
A new world.
Edit: Oh, yeah. Followed.
That says it all. If you forget about the money, it will come, in some fashion, yet to be determined.
Thanks, followed you back.
I had already suspected at the beginning that everything seems under control. And of course, I confirmed that I was right.
My real life friend even told me two months ago "Maybe it's just at the beginning, don't fall for the money".
I told him to get lost, you don't know what you are talking about.
Big rewards at rep 25. Then after rep 59 and undervalued posts, he was right. So, 'don't write for the money'.
Yes, in the end, you were lured. Now stay for the community? :)
I'm not going to leave the platform because I figured them out. I think of steemit like it's a reality TV program like Survivor or Big Brother, only more real. Many people release way more personal info on this site than I've ever seen before on the internet. I've done it myself. It must be the money that draws out people's deepest emotions.
I thought 1,000 followers and I would be bathed in riches. I'll likely pass 1k followers tomorrow, but I won't celebrate as long as an unassisted post of mine makes 50 cents. I don't care, I'm staying for the community of 50 followers that do their best to engage my content when they see it.
I also realized that I need to be a better follower. Those 50-100 accounts that make an effort to support me, I'm going to actively engage their content a few times a week, I'm making a list.
https://steemit.com/blog/@wakeupsheeps/you-can-t-have-friends-if-you-never-talk-to-them-initiative
Thanks for writing that. It gave me confirmation of what I have been experiencing.
I confirmed 'it' recently, nevertheless, I continued writing. Because I value those people with low sp and are writing comments and engaging. It's not obvious that they want to boost my post so they can silently count more money. You think it is all about getting the new authors out there? Can be, but it is not all about that. Yeah, it's not about the # of followers, not about the 'quality content'. I was under the illusion. I wish I could erase some things I wrote about in the past, those tips. But hey, the platform is designed to keep our content. It's not perfect, but let's see.
Yes, I only have a few people here who support me and really like my content. For me that matters. I will check your posts.
It is just sad that the new writers are under the illusion huh? They think it's the time they posted, they think it's the quality of their content. But it's not...We can't judge them for coming here for the rewards. Just as we can't judge those people who made a lot of money off us.
I found it cathartic to dive into steemit once unemployed. I don't have any hard feelings. My writing has gotten so much better, I didn't even realize how many words I tend to misspell.
We may not even resonate with each other's content, who knows, but I'm glad I found you. Smile Face Emoji Goes Here.
If you're on steemit chat, I sent you a message. I'm glad that someone can relate, I'm sure there are many out there. Some had already probably left...
Believe me, I don't have a job, it's because I came back from a long-term travel. I wrote those experiences, and wow. Big rewards. I thought this was it.
I continued writing for the love of it. Like you, I have also improved. I earned some money to keep me going, so I'm happy enough. But a part of me feel used and hurt lol, because I was a big believer lol.
I'm pretty sure this post will not go out there again. Let people live the illusion.
Anyway, I'm happy with my new friends here. :)
Yeah, I put myself way out there. Thinking that's what it takes to succeed on here, stupid me. My new attitude is inline with both of yours. But I'll let my travel photos do the work for me. If I can get a few bucks a post, I'll offer up a few minutes of my time throwing up some photos and a paragraph. That's more of a balance trade of time for money that I can accept. Especially wen lunch is a dollar fifty in Thailand. I was just going to do something similar on facebook for free anyway so I'm trying to figure out what's worth 2 dollars of my time. On a further note it has been interesting meeting people on here and transferring that into real life as I travel the world. Keep up the good work.....or not lol! ;)
Haha yeah, keep up the good work or not. It's pretty hard because people put their emotion and all that, maybe because of the money. But those who remained supporting and reading your content, are the only ones who really care.
Good thing there's $3 Pad Thai there haha. And yes, a lot of interesting people here. No more 100% power up for me I guess lol.
Ha ha. Right. So I couldn't get it out of my head my third world steemit analogy. So I did a post on it, just to see if I get a reaction from anyone. It's probably way down on the list already and not many will see it. But here's the link, you may get a kick out of it. On that note. I'm going for a walk :) and maybe some Padthai and for the record it's generally under two dollars! lol
https://steemit.com/steemit/@world-travel-pro/is-steemit-run-like-a-third-world-country
crazy- I just wrote this post. . I grew so frustrated because just like the author, I did SO well out of the gate, then... crickets!
So true, to succeed on Steemit you must have a love for writing and the people.
It is normal to feel that way, ok. Don't worry. New authors were lured then they get judged if they become attached to those rewards. They were not 'informed about these things'. Hey new author, you will be rewarded at the beginning but only up to level 55, when you're already become attached to the community and some whales can give you $1 for each of your post, ok? Don't complain anymore.
We don't judge them from making money off us as well.
Try to stay positive and don't give a shit. The only ones you should care about is yourself and your followers. ;) Keep writing for the love of it. The rest can drown in their money, but I hope they read my advice above though.
Well said :)
With that being said- I like your style