SEC S15W5: My proposal for Steemitblog

First of all, hats off to whoever came up with the idea of Steemit Engagement Challenges (SECs). This is really a great idea for contribution and engagement because I'm sitting here for the past two hours or so, and I had to really look into all the crevices of my brain to come up with an idea that is both fun, collaborative, informative — a concept distinct from the Steemit Engagement Challenges.

A little background, as always; I have been on this platform for almost 5 months now. This doesn't seem like a long time in terms of days, but if you count the hours that I've spent here, it may be more than a year compared to some of the old users. I have been participating in SEC and very active on Steemit in one way or another.

And this idea of a new proposal in Colombia-Original community in a SEC just sparked a sea of imagination. I know it is really easy to criticize the already implemented ideas or programs, but when it comes to bringing something new to the table, only then do we realize that it isn't an easy thing. And then, to cater to the needs of the majority of the users and make it a sustainable system is kind of hard.

Nevertheless, I have prepared a proposal. This is my little contribution, and by no means does it imply that it is better than the SECs, but it's just that this challenge has prompted me to play with some ideas. And dear friends , I do love playing with ideas and words. That's where I truly shine.

Without further ado, let's move to the challenge. I'm using the word 'challenge' vehemently as it really is one.

1) What proposal would you have for the Steemit Blog team?

I would call my proposal: Weekly check-ins

sounds fancy?

Well, I would characterize my proposal as standing on the foundation of the famous Steemit engagement challenges (SECs). Honestly, I struggled to devise a model that could engage users effectively without encountering discrepancies or inconvenience. So, I've creatively adapted the central idea, infusing it with my personal touch and distinctive branding throughout these sections.

I worked around the idea of nested and threaded contributions. However, given the current scenario where it takes hours or even days for some comments to appear and voting discrepancies persist, this is the best model I could devise.

2) Break down in detail what that new dynamic would consist of? What would you call it?

Weekly check-ins for engagement in a community, especially around themed prompts, can be a fantastic way to foster creativity, collaboration, and a sense of community among members. Here's a guide on how users can participate in these themed prompt check-ins.

Breakdown of Weekly check-ins:

• Announce the Theme:

At the beginning of each week, announce the themed prompt. Make it interesting and open-ended to allow for diverse interpretations.

• Provide Background:

Offer some context or information related to the theme. This could include historical facts, interesting tidbits, or thought-provoking questions to inspire creativity.

• Encourage Different Formats:

Allow participants to express themselves through various formats such as short stories, poems, essays, or even visual art inspired by the prompt.

• Create a Dedicated Space:

Establish a specific channel or thread in the community platform for participants to share their responses. This helps keep the discussions organized.

• Set a Deadline:

Clearly communicate the deadline for submitting responses. This adds a sense of urgency and helps in managing the check-in process effectively. (the same model that is being used in almost all contests and SECs).

• Encourage Feedback:

Create a culture of constructive feedback. Encourage participants to comment on each other's work, sharing their thoughts and insights.(Again, the same model as that of SECs, but with a different approach. This should not be a compulsory requirement; participants can choose to only highlight or discuss a specific aspect, or altogether choose not to comment.)

• Highlight Featured Contributions:

Each week, consider selecting a few outstanding contributions to showcase. This not only acknowledges participants but also motivates others to actively engage. (winners announcements in SECs, but more like @o1eh's WOX blogospehere).

• Promote Discussion:

Alongside submitting their work, encourage participants to discuss the theme, share their creative process, and provide insights into their interpretation of the prompt. This might be fun and more engaging.

• Rolling Participation:

Members are encouraged to join or skip specific weeks based on their availability and interest, ensuring that participation remains voluntary and enjoyable.

• Facilitate Voting or Recognition:

Implement a system where community members can vote for their favorite responses by having a panel that recognizes exceptional contributions. This adds an element of friendly competition, with the number of votes equal to the number of comments – simple and convenient! OK, I know its not that simple. _{Of course the comments can not be like: good post, wonderful post.}

• Rotate Hosts or Moderators:

To keep things fresh, consider having different community members host or moderate the check-ins. This brings varied perspectives and styles to the process. Don't eat me alive - just an idea 😎

• Celebrate Milestones:

Acknowledge and celebrate milestones, such as the community reaching a certain number of submissions, or an individual achieving a personal writing goal. This should be independent of voting or high voting references.

AN EXAMPLE TO PLAY WITH THIS IDEA:

Let me explain this through an example. If a community is organizing a weekly check-in for engagement with themed prompts, like participating in a dessert competition, it can structure it in a way that encourages active participation and creativity. Here's the breakdown:

Week 1: Prompt Announcement

Introduce the theme: "Dessert Competition Delights."
Share a brief description of the setting, rules, and atmosphere of the fictional dessert competition.
Encourage participants to think about unique characters, settings, and plot twists related to the dessert competition.

Week 2: Character Development

• Ask participants to introduce their main characters for the dessert competition.
• Encourage them to share details such as the character's background, motivation for participating, and any quirky traits that make them stand out.
• Bonus points for incorporating elements like secret ingredients or unexpected partnerships.

Week 3: Setting and Atmosphere

• Prompt participants to describe the setting of the dessert competition in vivid detail.
• Encourage them to explore the atmosphere, including the smells, sounds, and visual elements that make the scene come alive.
• Ask for creative additions like magical elements or unexpected challenges.

Week 4: Plot Development

• Invite participants to outline the plot of their dessert competition story.
• Encourage them to consider the twists and turns their characters might face during the competition.
• Remind them to tie their plot back to the theme of the dessert competition.

Week 5: Writing Snippets

• Have participants share short excerpts or snippets from their dessert competition stories.
• Encourage feedback and discussion among participants to foster a sense of community -
• Highlight unique approaches, interesting character dynamics, or imaginative settings.

Week 6: Final Submissions

• Ask participants to submit their final dessert competition stories.
• Set a word limit or guidelines for submission.
• Consider implementing a peer-review system where participants can read and provide feedback on each other's stories. This feature is already in place in SECs; however, it's important to ensure that the comments do not appear forced. Again you, the readers, can throw in some ideas.

Week 7: Recognition and Feedback

• Highlight standout stories and creative elements from the dessert competition theme.
• Share positive feedback from both participants and organizers.
• Consider awarding virtual badges or recognition to participants who demonstrated exceptional creativity or engagement. (This is something new - these badges can be like achievements).

3) How would communities and large curator accounts participate? All the details you can add.

As for the first question, communities can participate in the same way as they currently engage with SECs.

As for curators' participation, I have a plan that, honestly, isn't entirely mine. I've explored the @o1eh WOX blogosphere, of which I'm a fan. Curators can choose publications at the conclusion of the check-in round and create a post showcasing the best contributions based on responses and other relevant parameters. They can evaluate whether a post hasn't received the response it should have, incorporating their judgments alongside feedback from other Steemians. Additionally, they have the flexibility to set beneficiaries percentages, mirroring the recent adaptation made by him.

However, I would add another development. At the end of the season, the percentage of rewards of beneficiaries can be determined based on participation in terms of both quality and quantity. The greater the number of quality posts, the higher could be the percentage of rewards for beneficiaries.

This can happen alongside the normal curation by community and curators at the end of the season.

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P.S: These are just a few of my ideas. To practice and refine my proposal, we can engage in a collaborative exercise. Instead of simply expressing approval or disapproval, you could provide comments or feedback on specific portions. Feel free to elaborate on my points, introduce new elements, or suggest improvements to shape this proposal more effectively. Your input is valuable in reshaping and enhancing these ideas.

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I will extend invitations to @event-horizon and @dove11 for this challenge. However, there's a variation to this invitation: if, for any number of reasons, you are unable to actively participate in the challenge, I kindly ask you to provide feedback or suggestions for the proposal under this post. Your insights are valuable, even if direct participation isn't feasible.