About the selling, it’s actually sufficient in the product validation (design) when people say they would pay for it.

This is a different platform but the whole development of your community and platform can happen on a totally lean method. Eric Ries’ book is the “base”, I would also suggest reading Ash Maurya.

I actually think Steemit Inc. has a business plan and they’re on track to make that happen. But the platform isn’t fully developed for that yet. But if you think wordpress.org and wordpress.com (especially the VIP at min $50k/month) then you’re thinking the right direction. Consultant, and also investor, and dev of “Platform as a Service” for SMTs.