How to Explain STEEM(IT) to a Friend…
If you’ve been using Steemit for a while now, I imagine you have found yourself in the same situation as myself. Trying to Explain Steemit to a friends, and failing miserably. And by ‘Failing’, I don’t mean providing misinformation, or generally doing a bad job. The failure comes in knowing your audience.
I introduced a friends of mine to Steemit some time ago. He refused to sign up to Steemit because of the 16 Character Length Password, which has subsequently been increased to 32 Characters. Now, I’ve subsequently come to realise he will not be signing up to Steemit for some time, and it’s not 32 Character Length Password at fault, it’s me…
The Problem
Steemit is full of well educated, cryptocurrency savvy, users. It’s incredibly easy to get ‘sucked’ in to believing that everyone should be able to understand what is going on here, or that the world suddenly understands Cryptocurrency/Blockchain technology. Well, the world doesn’t, and in order for Steemit to become successful, we (as a community) need to sign up our friends and family who are not interested in these intricacies.
For the first 4-6 weeks of using Steemit, whenever I tried to sign up a group of friends I got blank faces, sometimes even fear…
The problem is, Steem(it) in it’s entirety, is complex. However, the concept is very simple.
It’s a Blogging site that Pay’s you to Blog…
If there is one thing I have learnt using Steem(it), it’s that, having too much information too soon is certainly a bad thing. I have been lucky, finding the site early, allowing my knowledge to evolve over time.. But I have certainly been guilty of bombarding potential new users with information that may have scared myself off a few months ago.
I have began to get better at signing up new users. In my opinion, omitting information is the best process to go through. Don’t think of it as dishonest...
Generally I believe that we all need to…
Tailor our Pitches!!
Think of it like, your trying to sell an iPhone to an 80 year old. If you were the salesmen, would you talk about processor speed, mega pixels, applications,… OR …say it’s really easy to use, you can call/txt your Grandson(daughter), take photo’s and video…
Don’t Get Bogged Down in Details:
Do they even know what the Blockchain is? Most people couldn’t tell you what one is, or what you can do with it. In such a case, omit that information. Most users don’t know 10% of what actually goes on under the Steemit ‘hood’, and in my opinion, that’s the point. Steemit is suppose to be the first true bridge between blockchain technology, and mainstream usage..
Provide the Minimum amount of Information, to have the Maximum Impact..
How do you sell a Fillet Steak to a Golden Retriever. Do you sit it down, talk them through the 28 days ageing process, and the origins of the Aberdeen Angus Cows?
OR,..
Don’t be Pedantic, Be Simple
People have a general disposition to think that Complexity = Fraud. They also (in general) think that Bitcoin = Drugs/Nefarious Activities/Hacking. Save them from their ignorance. If you can’t explain something in a sentence, you’ll usually be unsuccessful in selling that concept.
So, this leads me on to..
What I tell crypto noobs who I think might be interested in Steem(it), but have never heard of it…
Me: Steem(it) is a Social Media Site that pays you to be a user. You should get involved…
Noob: What?!
Me: YEAH!!!
Noob: How much?
Me: Depends on how many likes you get, or how early you are at liking other users material.. I’ve earn’t X in the last X week(s)/month.
Noob: Where does the money come from?
Me: Does it matter? It costs you nothing, many users have earn’t 0000s in the last month. This could be the next Facebook, chance to get in early..
DONE!!!
Interested to hear your thoughts, or for you to share your method of being an Steemit Ambassador..
Yes. I agree with you. The simple explanation is the key. To overcome the natural man's fear of the unknown we should be patient and consistent. People are afraid of fraud and Scam. Very often they would rather do nothing than to risk. Now pltform still only gaining strength and can not meet the variety of information requests. It's like an island in the sea of Internet with their inhabitants and special atmosphere. And here people keep arriving. And now the locals feel that the immigrants start to pick up their work. It is not clear how it will develop. But the project grows and the relationship becomes more complicated. I have seen the posts about what early steemit was like a Paradise with friendly neighbors. Is there any chance to scale this value system?!
I agree with keeping it simple! There so much scams out there. I think to convince people they need to know/understand a little about block-chain technology.
Good post @poteshnik83 Definitely raised some interesting points/thoughts..
I did that here:
https://steemit.com/steemit/@razvanelulmarin/why-none-of-your-friends-join-steemit-a-few-suggestions
Some good points @razvanelulmarin I think it will get easier with time. Steem(it) is a trailblazer in this space, it's up to us (as users) to sell it correctly, and to wait for people's attitudes to slowly come around to the Steem(it) way :)
true. but the more we talk about it, the less crazy it seems. It's just people needing to get used to the idea :)
@hisnameisolllie I don't have too much trouble explaining STEEMIT, there is alot to grasp for most at first though. I try to keep it simple and tell them not to worry too much about the money as much as to build a network of friends and readers and be a part of this new growing community, and that the rest will come in time. i do delve into it further but I do gradually explain unitl they get the main concepts anyway. I explained Bitcoin back in 2013 to alot of folks so that isn't a problem. I think most find it hard to believe that they will get "paid" for posting. And then most are also lazy, so who knows. But they sure play POKEMON.
full $teem Ahead!
@streetstyle
ps @hisnameisolllie I will be posting an article on My Blog shortly, stop by, thanks.
Thanks for the reply @streetstyle I think your right,
Something which is certainly worth bearing in mind. The problem has been, this is Steemit's defining characteristic, and the carrot to hang in front of current Twitter, Facebook, Reddit...users. However, with an increasing user base, it is going to become more and more difficult to become an 'overnight' success, so your approach makes complete sense.
Last night i told my one friend about Steemit community who live in Bangkok on phone call during call he sign up and i told him the instruction and now he is the active user of Steemit and hope will new whale soon.
I've told many of my friends and collegues about steemit and I've also be confronted with the Bitcoin=drugs etc. assumption. I always keep it very simple and extremly positive with talking only about the chances for them. I think it helps me a lot to say that I'll not have any reward of their start at steemit.
I can relate to this. So many of my friends are sceptical. And my dad's first question was "Where does the money come from?"
I have noticed that question too. That's where I end up going down a rabbit whole and ruining my 'sales' pitch. Try to keep that part of my pitch as simple as possible now...
Say, "from the constant stream of new investors because it is onboarding the masses".
I think enough to tell people that they can get paid for the posts, and they will not even ask questions, and will run to create the posts! :)
I think the problem is in the people. Many do not know what to write about, and start to do copy-paste, post pictures, and other meaningless things. We need to explain to people that they tell interesting stories, showing its achievements and interests.
That is a good point. I think that, part of the sign up process could give new users suggestion on their first few posts, to help them avoid the whole 'copy and paste' mistake. Emphasise on ORIGINAL and INTERESTING...
"Uh.. it's like a place to make money by posting content."
^ That hasn't worked well for me so far.
I do think having a general understanding of Steemit works is essential in helping get friends and family on board but at the same time, I'm just focused on my own actions / effort. The results will speak for themselves.
As far as my rebuttal to it being a "ponzi scheme" - I simply state you literally can make money by not putting a single cent in. There's no downside but the amount of effort you can put in.
Those who put in the work and build relationships are the ones who are going to be rewarded. If my friends don't want to take action so be it.
I have gotten a few of my friends to join which is an awesome feeling though. :)
Say the initial money comes from constant stream of investors and later the money comes from commerce once the masses have joined.
You only need to ask a few questions:
"Have you heard of bitcoin"
If "no": "oh, then never mind just join steemit and you'll understand as things go. But it's basicly the same as facebook only you get paid if you add stuff of value"
If "yes": "Good, it's a combo of facebook and bitcoin you could say. Just join and you understand it after a while. But it's basicly the same as facebook only you get paid if you add stuff of value"
Most of the time, I can explain it in the simpliest way. Usually, those interested in writings or have real passion are interested. I have discovered that women around me are more suspicious then men about Steemit and ask very detailed questions.