I'd even like to see a version of Twitter on Steem that had a way to post that didn't show up on your feed, but had it's own separate feed.

This is possible but it is going to depend on interface filtering. If people only look at an unfiltered view (steemit.com at the moment) everything is seen. But for example, steemhunt filters out everything but Steemhunt.

I have a feeling once a few are converted to this blockchain successfully it won't be a hard sell for the rest with the community on this platform.

Perhaps they pay for the development through the speculation, like steemit inc does. that eventually ends.