RE: Holding STEEM POWER -- why it is good for you, and all of us too. (Commitment Rewards Explained)
This webpage should help you to better understand the conversion rates:
http://www.steemdollar.com/steem.php
The bottom line though is that SBD is converted not on a 1 for 1 ratio as I first thought as a newbie. The rate fluctuates with the market as intended. Therefore, buy STEEM to power up not SBD with prices as they are today.
The easiest way to add Steem Power to your account by adding your own investment is through the "Buy Steem" menu option under the three bar icon next to your account image in the top right of your screen.
As a newbie I made the mistake of adding money to Coinbase, buying BTC there, sending it to Bittrex, buying STEEM there, and finally sending that to my account at Steemit. I paid transaction fees twice that way. Oops!
Maybe my mistake will help others avoid doing the same! /blush
Thanks for sharing that... you're right. Each time you convert and transfer, you stand to lose a bit in transaction fees, etc. So you want to limit the number of "hops" or "transactions" you do, to get what you want.