What Can We Do About the Steemian Newbies That Ask or Beg for Our Support?

I, like many of you, get bombarded with new people on Steemit
asking for upvotes and support everyday.  

Some come in the way of a comment on my blog, others hit me up on Steemit Chat.  There seems to be some sort of misconception that those who have spent months or even years of their life investing in creating value on Steemit, owe financial support and recognition to those who have only just begun.  

I think sometimes these new people aren't aware of the vast amount of energy put into creating a reputation and a valuable vote - as they often want to trade upvote for upvote as if they were equal.   They also may  not recognize that we were all (at least most of us) were in their shoes once too, and have created our own realities through hard work, dedicated focus, commitment, consistency, and excitement for creating a valuable community for us all.

There are times when it gets really frustrating having people begging, especially when they do it on my blog.  I often throw out a little comment to see where their energetics are about really wanting advice, help, and what their desire is to really bring value to Steemit, or on the reverse, are just fishing for free upvotes and exploiting the good nature of others.

I do believe it is valuable to help new people on Steemit, and though I don't really belong to any particular initiatives to do so, I take steps to engage new people, giving them encouragement and opportunities to get involved.  As a matter of fact, some of my favorite people and greatest participants and supporters have come through the new crowd, looking for their niche, and I'm exceedingly grateful that they have found me and are now a part of my everyday life.

I know this asking and begging has been a topic of many a conversation here on Steemit with many people just wanting to shut these people down--as none of us seem really interested in building a community based on expectations.  A gift economy, however, indicates that we give because we want to, and we do it because we find value in a person's true desire to be a part of this magnificent platform.  Helping each other to thrive is really ideal--but with what energetics we do it is of the utmost importance to  me. 

I thought to share with you an exchange that has happened on my blog over the past few days.  I'm grateful that it's becoming a more common occurrence that my short request brings forth more conversation.  When a new person responds to my replies, instead of ignoring or running away, I can tell they are worth my investment.

I hope you'll all stop by and give muhammadhelmi92 (28) some encouragement and support.

Here are another few responses I have given over time, that seem to weed out those who are trying to take advantage, and those who truly are trying to understand and be a part of this community with us.  

I think it's great that you are excited about engaging in Steemit.  And I think it's great to experiment with ways to market yourself and your posts.  However, I believe the best way would be to write engaging posts, chiming in on people's blogs, commenting, upvoting and resteeming, earning yourself a reputation and a reason for others to follow you.  I get many requests every day from new users to upvote and follow them.  I use my voting power on those who have something of great benefit to share.  If you are one of those people, I will be glad to exchange with you, but feel there is no real value in just swapping upvotes, as your vote has very little value.  Many blessings on your path to a powerful Steemit experience.  I hope to find your posts a great contribution. 

And btw, many users consider this kind of a message spam, and some may even flag you for it.  Earning your reputation and your followers on Steemit is what brings value, not just begging for the upvotes.  Also remember, that all votes are not created equal, so if you want your votes to be valued, they must be earned.

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Hi ______, just a little heads up...most people do not like being solicited for votes.  Votes are EARNED on steemit, not asked or begged for.  If you want to improve your reputation, you may want to focus on commenting, visiting other people's posts, and providing posts valuable enough that people will want to upvote you without your asking.  I see that you are new here so maybe you are unaware of the general sentiment about these things.  Just want you to know so you don't get yourself flagged or turn people off to sharing with you.

I hope your experience here on Steemit is a rewarding one and that you build yourself an incredible following.  Blessings on the way.

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Just a head's up - Established Steemians, who have worked their way up the reputation scale, generally do not really take kindly to people asking and begging for votes.  We have all been in your shoes as beginners and have done our due diligence to provide valuable content that others are inspired to support. Vote for vote is not a fair exchange when your vote counts as literally nothing.   When people realize you are private messaging or spamming people's posts for votes, they are likely to ignore your requests and your posts, or even flag you for soliciting.  You will not be successful on Steemit if others are not inspired by what you share or are annoyed by your lack of adding true value to Steemit, but begging for attention and a hand-out instead.

I hope you find a way to contribute something of value to this Steemit community.  Making your own way on your own merits is the only way to gain respect, a powerful reputation and a good sustainable following.  I wish you luck on your experience and hope you take into true consideration my attempt to share perspective.  Blessings to you.

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If you want followers and voters, it would be wise to invest your time in providing US with something to upvote and follow!!  Begging is considered spamming, and you may find that others will flag you for such activity and ruin your reputation.  Hopefully we can inspire you to step up to the plate and contribute to make Steemit an even more amazing experience for us all.

Most everyone has started at the bottom, with low reputation and very little voting power. As you contribute to Steemit in some way, your reputation builds, and your vote becomes more valuable. Many of those who have started at the bottom earned their way toward the top by bringing value to Steemit, by creating great content and getting people interested in what they have to share, by engaging the community through upvotes, thoughtful comments, resteeming, supporting and following others. 
It is considered spam to be promoting your posts on other people's blogs, and fishing for upvotes. Many people will even flag you for it.  If your content is of value, people will find you, even it it takes some time. Patience is a virtue.

It is valuable to consider why you are on Steemit. If you're here for the money, you may get discouraged at first as it generally takes some time to find your niche. If you're here to build community, you will make lots of friends, have lots of support, and enjoy a potent experience that rarely comes around. What goes around comes around, so if you build community and support others, so shall it be for you, and the money will come because you earned it, not because you asked for it.

You have a lot to gain by giving your best to Steemit.  It's a great opportunity to be a part of something bigger than yourself.
I hope your experience here on Steemit is amazing!

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I see by your reputation that you are new to this platform.  It is generally looked down upon, even considered spam here on Steemit, to be requesting or begging others to vote for and support you. Many people will flag you for this type of comment on their blog. The way to gain followers is to provide valuable content, to interact in support of others and the content they are generating. Bringing value to Steemit is the way to build community and to get others involved in what you are sharing. I hope your experience here on Steemit will grow to something you enjoy, and that others find excitement with your content to support.

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I hope we can all be better support for those in need -
we all know some of the trials and difficulties of being a noob.  

And I also hope that we can show these new,
potentially one-day powerful Steemians,
how to help us build the most beautiful place
of love and support we have ever experienced.

This is OUR time!!
Let's go out and give someone some love today.