Why To Look Before You Leap: Things to consider before making your first Steemit post

If you are new to Steemit, you are probably doing your best to research and learn as much as you can about this unique platform. This is a 3-Part series. This series' ultimate goal is to help as many beginners as we can, from one Steemit beginner to another. Read More about where inspiration for this series came from.

Part 1 is focused on what you should consider before jumping in with your first Steemit post. I will include several links to Steemit posts that I found helpful in getting started. Also, I will discuss briefly the following subjects......

• Setting up your profile
• Digging deep...who are you, and what do you want to write about?
• Your visual image
• Introducing yourself

Setting Up Your Profile

The Basic How-To

Click on the circular blank avatar in the upper left corner
Click on Settings
Boom, you're there

Your Profile Image

Steemit requires that you host your profile image on a third party site. I used PostImage as suggested in the Steemit FAQ. Once, you've taken your picture, simply upload it to post image, copy the url it generates, then paste it in the top field under your profile settings. That simple.

Display Name

Maybe you already have a nifty internet handle. Or maybe you need to do some soul searching to come up with the perfect display name. My strategy was to explore the platform and how other users were presenting themselves. This helped me to develop a unique, yet personal name.

About

Here's your chance to define yourself in as few words as you can. To develop this section I also extensively viewed other user's profiles and specifically how syntax and formatting were used. I made mental notes of what I liked and disliked about other profiles, and used this knowledge to create my own.

Digging Deep......Who are you, and what do you want to write about?

I will discuss this topic more in-depth in Part 2 of this series.
Basically what I want to get across here is don't rush in and just start writing. In case you haven't heard, whatever is posted to the internet stays on the internet forever. So, in my opinion it's best to put some intentional forethought into your first posts.

All cultures have various spiritual practices where one can connect to their spiritual intuition. For Christians this is often prayer, or a worship / praise state. Most cultures practice some form of meditation. For some this might mean literal cross-legged meditation, a hike in the woods, a long drive down a country road, a relaxing bubble bath, etc. It doesn't matter whatever practice takes you to a spiritual place, just go there. When you're there, ask yourself these types of questions........

• What are my natural interests & hobbies?
• What knowledge do I have that I want to share with the world?
• How can I change the world with my experience?
• Is the way I see the world unique and intriguing?
• How much do I want to “open the personal veil”?
• What do I want the world to know about me personally?
• Do I need personal gratification, or is the knowledge that I impart enough?
• What types of blogs do I find interesting / enjoy reading?
• What titles do I regularly click on?
• And I could literally go on and on, but really “Dig Deep” here!

Your Visual Image

I will discuss this subject more in-depth in Part 3 of this series.
Your visual image includes both your profile avatar picture, and how your posts visually look. Always take a new photo for your profile avatar. Using an old photo is just lazy, usually doesn't look very good, and most of the time is obvious that it's old. I had to upload several times until I got it looking exactly how I wanted it. When you are visiting other user's posts, don't just read for content, but also pay attention to what the post looks like. Take note of how users are using markup formatting, headers, breaker bars, and personalized logos and signatures. Check in for Part 3, and I'll show you how to do this too!

Ready, Set, Write!......Introducing Yourself

By this point, you've spent a considerable amount of time reading and studying Steemit. You're probably fairly confident in navigating the platform, and undoubtedly you've read a handful of #IntroduceYourself. Here's where you get to put all of your work together. Using your answers from your Steemit Meditation session, organize a handful of bullet points you want the Steemit community to know about you and what you plan to write about. Write your post from the frame of mind that your #IntroduceYourself is a preview of your future work. Be yourself, trust your intuition, have fun. Remember to include the traditional photo of yourself holding a piece of paper with your display name and the date.

**Just As I Promised.......My Personal Favorite Links to Help Beginners Get Started

• Read Part 3!
• Read Part 2!
• @HammockHouse Introducing Ourselves
• @HammockHouse Creating Your Steemit Brand Identity
• Steemit Etiquette Guide For Beginners By Beginners
• How to Turn STEEM into Cash (USD)
• Steemit Best Practices
• How to Liven up your Steemit Posts with Markdown
• Steemit for Dummies (like me)
• Let Your Presence Be Known
• How to Commit Steemicide

Image Credits
Killer Whale
Meditating Dog