RE: Announcing the Outreach Program: Let's Work Together to Build Something Beautiful!
I wholeheartedly support the goal of marketing our platform and expanding the user base. In order for Steemit to be viable in the long run, this is an absolute necessity.
But... I'm not really sure what is even being proposed here. And I have to admit a deep skepticism towards any project with "invited" participants. How will this project empower people to engage in outreach efforts that they have been unable to embark on previously? It is hard for me to see how involvement in this campaign will empower individuals to promote the platform beyond the ways they have already had the opportunity to do so.
Perhaps more importantly, I don't understand why an initiative such as this should be necessary. Steemit Inc. should by now be sufficiency capitalized to engage in marketing in a robust and sophisticated manner well beyond the capacity of an ad hoc group of community members.
While I share the opinion that marketing and outreach efforts have been virtually nonexistent and ineffective, I'd like to hear more about your analysis of the current state of things, and your proposals for improvement.
If this comes across as overly critical, that's not my intention. I just want to challenge you to present a more coherent strategy, rather than hear yet another "announcement" of an initiative with lofty goals and little substance.
First of all @bacchist, I agree and share the same opinion. We need to grow the user base, and I support anyone who does so.
More importantly, this is an announcement (hence the short length) and as specified at the end, updates coming soon. ;)
About if it's necessary, some people think it's useful to help grow the platform and dedicate efforts doing so, and if you don't believe it's not necessary, no one is forcing you to participate believe me.
Have a good day!
I had some similar thoughts reading this, especially to do with the select group. In a way it makes sense as these people do well on Steemit and are probably great ambassadors. I hope there is broad inclusion because that would be something I'd support.
A point on Steemit Inc. from the whitepaper
I think this can be interpreted as meaning that by investing in steem you have a stake in the project as a whole. You can see Steemit Inc. as having a large stake but not complete ownership. At any time we can all fork off and leave them forever. While investors are not usually required to do the work of the company, their appointees are. For Steem (not Steemit Inc.) this is actually the witnesses as I understand it.
However I guess this is a bit different and not quite like a traditional company. It's not exactly volunteering either, in the usual sense of the word. Because there's no company hierarchy except that imposed by stake, there's no one to tell anyone to work. So anything like this can be considered work for indirect pay. Kind of like a start up when no one is getting paid yet.
Now I don't presume to tell you about steem and how it works (you've been here much longer than me), I'm just laying out my understanding for scrutiny to see if it makes sense in this light.
I'm sure what this outreach initiative entails but when the details come out, if it's not satisfactory, there's no reason another, compatible but different outreach initiative could not be started in a different style. I might have an idea for one actually but I'll wait until these guys come out with more deets 😶
You seem to have answered your own question :)
Maybe if Steemit Inc. were engaged in a robust and sophisticated marketing campaign, no one would bother with such an initiative? It's been nearly a year now, I'm glad someone is making an effort, at least and at last.
I too would like to know more, and as the-alien points out below, more information is coming. Let's be patient.