Growing Smart with Smartsteem | Lesson #1: Are you ready to promote your content?
We've been hard at work this week brainstorming some ideas to bring even more value to the STEEM blockchain. As much as we understand the challenges that the current system faces, we are also aware that some of the biggest changes we can make come in the form of education.
It's because of this reason that we are proud to present the first installment of a new series of publications:
"Growing Smart with Smartsteem"
What can you expect out of this series?
The goal here is provide tips and tricks for Steemians of all levels of experience to grow their accounts, and their networking.
It's imperative for Steem citizens to understand that growth does not only mean more SP, but the effectiveness that people have on the blockchain, and their social influence.
As service that matches investors with those who seek promotion tools, we understand the necessity to integrate an element of education for our customers. In other words: How can we help Smartsteemians maximize their results?
"Growing smart with Smartsteem" is our answer.
Lesson #1 - Are you ready to promote your content?
This might seem like one of those questions people should be asking already. However, it's possible to say this is not always the case. The idea of using a promotion tool like Smartsteem.com is to showcase the work you have been putting into your content.
Whether it's free writing, poetry, vlogs, etc, promotions tools are there to help you reach a wider audience and capture their attention. That's why it's important that you are promoting work that truly showcases the best you can do.
Smart Promotion: The Post
How many times have we seen people promoting low effort content only to have a negative reaction from the community? Sadly this type of thing is not uncommon, and as part of our commitment to the STEEM ecosystem we run a blacklist to deter the recalcitrant accounts who continue to do so.
What's interesting about this, is that the accounts who engage in these activities usually lose their investments. The posts usually get flagged, reported to @steemcleaners in the case of plagiarism or any number of negative consequences.
Now, this doesn't have to happen and we've got some tips and tricks for you.
Step 1: Preparing your post
The ideal post you should be thinking about promoting should have the following elements:
- 100% Original Content
- Accurately sourced references: Images and Quotes clearly outlined
It's important to state that this are not rules per say, not in the sense that the blockchain itself requires it. However, the goal is to put your best foot forward and to win an audience, so we could consider them best practices.
Step 2: Create your Post
Think of the following list as recommendations. If you've taken notes, you will notice some of the most successful Steemians practicing some of these little habits, and that little fact should speak volumes to anyone that is seeking to grow on the platform.
In no particular order:
- Be yourself - don't try create content emulating someone just because you think that's the way to make money.
- Be relatable - write/talk to your audience as if you are dealing with a good friend
- Before posting, read out loud - you would be surprised how many times messages are lost due to a missing ","
- Be consistent - As they say practice makes perfect, don't think your first promoted post will be a home run.
Conclusion
Promotion tools are just that: tools.
They cannot in any way improve the quality of a content creator. That is why is so important for content creators to focus on doing their absolute best before using them.
It's important to keep in mind that the value of the STEEM ecosystem is directly connected to the value we are able to convey through the content it generates and the quality of interactions that happen, because of that content.
We sincerely hope that this framework gives those who are on the fence of promoting their content, or those who are already doing so, but not obtaining the results they want, valuable information that will help them grow smarter.
All the best,
Team Smartsteem
More about Smartsteem
- Introducing Smartsteem 2.0
- Introducing Open Cost Ledger - Optimization of Vote Purchases
- Join us on Discord
At least this voting service is putting emphasis on creating quality content
I put so much effort into my posts here, I spend days researching in order to provide accurate referenced material. This platform however seems to reward the whales. Hopefully, it will change someday, the best content I read is from people I follow who would not be known by many.
Continue to tinker and experiment.
It took me almost a year to get consistent multiple $1+ level votes. I was fortunate because early on I had a whale that upvoted me, but I kept grinding away and now have several dolphins as well as great minnow followers.
Posted using Partiko Android
I will just have to keep grinding on I suppose. Thanks for the reply
The cream will rise to the top...eventually
Only a matter of natural order taking its course
I will just have to
Keep grinding on I suppose.
Thanks for the reply
- cryptoguru1
I'm a bot. I detect haiku.
It is very tough getting started for sure. I invested in steem power to increase my vote but have not seen a very big return for it yet. Everything takes time right.
Time, and focus.
Write what people want to read. I actually did a post recently with some tips to grow your following that really helped me.
Posted using Partiko Android
Also I checked out your post- pretty good dude!
Thanks! I appreciate it.
No worries
It is hard to write what people want to read, as I tend to write what I want to research and hope it is what my readers wish to learn about. I reckon diversification is key here.
Thanks-writing and hoping will only get you so far if you really want to grow your audience. I have found the more I write the more I know what will fly and what won't.
Posted using Partiko Android
Yes I suppose you need to stay constant in people’s minds also. I must write more often and try diversify also
Exactly. The Steem blockchain isn't great about curation, and many people use a feed that just shows the newest posts by authors at the top, so posting often (don't over do it) is a huge part of being successful here.
I write for fun & recreation, and hopefully that a reader may derive some benefit from some of my content. Should any of it be deemed good enough to earn some steem as well, well-to do! There is! Ozzpower.
good night America, good morning Africa. Well, I'm at 12h33 right now and am now going back to lateral planing-zzzzz
I suppose it does take time, I wrote an article on my view of how this all works if you wish to check it out on my blog.
I will go back and look. Thanks you
Posted using Partiko Android
Hey @cryptoguru1,
content discovery is a challenge on steem. But, the good news is that promotion tools when used responsibly can help you get more eyes on your content. Specially if you are putting that much effort.
Regards,
Smartsteem Support
Thanks for the reply, I willl check out more of these tools
Keep steady, the audience here is way smaller than on other big social platforms. But i think this could change soon with HF 20. =)
Maybe, this contest is something for you: https://steemit.com/crypto/@originalworks/1250-steem-sponsored-writing-contest-digitex
I wish you big success on STEEM. ^^
Thank you, I will check this out. Much appreciated
Yes, I totally agree, Time for the early guys to move aside and allow some of the newer content make its way to peoples eyes I reckon. So much valuable content never reaches the audience it deserves
I’ve been using SmartSteem for awhile and I think it’s a great way to promote your post and redistribute the balance in voting.
Posted using Partiko iOS
THIS^^^^
Votebots like Smartsteem essentially speedup the rebalancing of voting power from the early whales to the newcomers, which means a lot more Steemians have meaningful voting power.
Service like @smartsteem also ensures a broad distribution of the currency. Some pay with STEEM for advertising and others receive STEEM for their performance (Vote Selling)
I think Smartsteem is very important for the future of Steemit.
Hey @techwizardry,
of course we agree, it's about giving everyone an equal chance to shine.
Regards,
Smartsteem Support
totally
Thank for the tips. It can be very disheartening if writers put in a lot of effort, they only earn a few cents. Hopefully your tips will help.
Posted using Partiko Android
That’s true it happened to me too
We are confident this new series will do wonders for everyone, both new and more experienced users.
Regards,
Smartsteem Support
The most important question, when can we expect part 2 of this lessons :) ?
Posted using Partiko iOS
Hey @jamesndungu,
we will be releasing one lesson per week. That is our current plans.
Regards,
Smartsteem Support
Thank-You ! This lessons are very well written, very educative & insightful. I will be waiting for the next update next week :)
Posted using Partiko iOS
The issue of content relevance is definitely at the core of Steem Community. Without valuable and relevant content the Community itself cannot grow. It'll be like attending classes without learning anything. Those who are yet to realise that value-added content is the biggest and fastest way to grow a dpendable followership and stable income are simply wasting their time. In the long run, it is relevance, originality, creativity, and value that'll sustain those who will go far here.
@smartsteem, I thank you most sincerely for bringing this issue of content relevance to public attention. I look forward to Lesson Two. Gracias!
Lesson two should be coming out next friday as planned, thank you for your feedback
Regards,
Smartsteem Support
Hi smart support what happen to this post of mine? I didn’t receive any votes from smartmarket , why? Until now..
Truer words have never been spoken.
fantastic post and a much welcomed new series.
looking forward to following it and learning more on how i can get better as a content creator.
been using smart steem since day one and love the experience so far.
Posted using Partiko iOS
Well that is just music to our ears @jongolson
Regards,
Smartsteem Support
I am a little initiate in this world of steem, it will cost hard work and time to get good income but with guides like this work and time becomes more pleasant for Venezuelans, like me. Thanks!
That is fantastic to hear David.
Regards,
Smartsteem Support
We thank you for giving us this valuable information. It is not easy to communicate information to the community. It is not easy to access these ideas, and I thank you again for this noble effort.