Steemit is BOTH a Social Media & Blogging Platform - IMO

in #steemit7 years ago (edited)

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I had planned on Saturday being a lazy day on Steemit, browse around, catch up on replies, FINALLY write that post on the winner of my Let's Talk Superheroes! contest (sorry guys) and perhaps meet one or two new newbies. All was going as planned, until I came across @paulag’s Steemit is NOT a Social Media Platform - So What Is It? post. Instead of making a lengthy comment on her post, and trying to hold my top 11th ranking in @abh12345’s engagement league tomorrow, I decided to write a reply to the topic via a post.

I enjoyed reading @paulag's viewpoint on Steemit as an online blogging platfom. She makes some valid points which I agree with but our viewpoints differ on some things.

A little about Me


The few friends I’ve made on here would know that I have been quite lazy to write lately. I am not a social media person by nature. I am not a blogger at all. In fact, @qurator denied my membership when I initially sent in my enrollment fee. The $2 SBD that @davemccoy graciously gave me for the Qurator membership was refunded with a kind response to try again in 2 weeks. Perhaps I did not meet their 10 posts requirement. I’m not sure if it is because I finally made that 10th post or if it is due to @davemccoy putting in a good word on my behalf that resulted in my membership. Or if they determined my posts are of quality afterall.

Quality is subjective to the reader. My supporters are the friends I’ve made on here who adores my charming personality. I think they get a kick out of reading my posts now and then. OK, Qurator is obligated to upvote my post since I am a member, but for all others, my supporters are those friendships I’ve made along the way.

Are my posts of quality content? Are my ‘Let’s Talk’ contests deemed to be of value to a publishing platform? Or does it belong more on a social media platform?

As mentioned, I don’t write much. I write when I am interested on a subject or if I am passionate enough on a topic to express my thoughts or viewpoints. My time spent here have been engaging with others, newbies, and answering questions or helping with what I can.

Yesterday I spent my allotted Steemit time on the newbie contest held by @greetersguild. The rest of my time were spent corresponding with two artists, one new and another established. Both not receiving much traction on their posts despite delivering some awesome artwork on here. What is funny about it all is, I have no artistic talent whatsoever! I spent the time answering their questions because I want to help with what little bit of help I can give.

Today, I spent my time looking at a Steemit bot post by @davemccoy (so many comments!), a photography post by @leeart, a funny love post by @desmonddesk nudging the guys to adore their gals, and a personal story by @chineyes, which I then submitted to @curie for review (although I am not a Curator with them).

Yes, quality is subjective to the reader.

What Steemit means to me?

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Here is where my viewpoint differs from @paulag. Keep in mind that differences in opinions and beliefs does not imply lack of admiration or respect. That is why I strongly disagree in flagging others for voicing their opinions, even if I admire the individual themself.

I respect Paula very much. In fact, I wholeheartedly support @steemcommunity as a witness, since the witness account is a joint effort by @abh12345 and @paulag. Both are admirable Steemians in my opinion!

Paula’s viewpoint of Steemit is of an online blogging platform. This Paula's viewpoint (the irony of it all) of Steemit is a combination of a social media and blogging platform.

Here is Why


Snippet from @paulag's post:

If all of your friends do not want to be blogger and authors they why are you voting for them? If you believe Steemit is to reward great authors and content then the issue of supporting ALL friends is solved. That is not what Steemit is for or about.

Paula makes a good point here. However, what about the community members on here whose intentions are to engage and help others, not simply on being a blogger or author?

What about the Steemians on here that are extending their reaches to help others succeed on here?

The community leaders and members that value engagement and support.

The Steemians that spend their time hosting contests and sharing their SBD worth with others.

The individuals that spend hours helping others on Discord for Steemit-related issues, where monetary support cannot be 'upvoted'.

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Should these individuals not be rewarded for their efforts?


If they should, how does one reward such an intangible action? Do we upvote their posts even when it is not deemed QUALITY material? Do we upvote their comments, because here lies the conundrum, are comments quality content?

Many may not be talented authors or content producers, but they sure spend more time and effort on here extending kindness, generosity, and guidance to many here on Steemit. Members of communities like #newbieresteemday, #newbiegames, #greetersguild, #asapers, and #helpie.

Many of the members in these communities have selflessly shared their time, SBD, and SP to help newbies on this platform. They extend beyond their own blogs to help newbies with questions, greet them as they come onboard, mentor, and even keep an eye for curie worthy posts. Steemit Inc is not paying them for their services, not for their time and effort. It is with the support of other like-minded Steemians on here that drive the community efforts.

Our viewpoints vary on this point because I believe Steemit is much more than a blogging platform. There are so many beautiful voices and talented artists that simply go unnoticed.

Yes, the author could market themselves on other social media platforms, but why should they have to do so? The problem with having to market oneself elsewhere, you have to SELL Steemit to people outside the platform. They may be your biggest supporter, your husband or wife or best friend, but you first have to sell them on the idea of joining Steemit before they can come support you. On top of that, they will likely not see any support of their own, so would likely give up themselves. There goes your support system.

Community efforts are the support system on Steemit. Why should they not be recognized for their talents? It may not be with writing a $20 worthy post, but that does not mean their value is of any less on here.

Only way I believe we as a platform can continue to thrive is to start viewing Steemit as more than a blogging platform. The support is not there for (new) authors. You really have to rule out the popular, more established Steemians because they already have a support system in place. New authors are lucky to break out of the $1 payout value if they don’t have the support from high ranking Steemians or if they don’t avail themselves of the promotional services out there.

What Contents Are of Value to Me?

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Here is another big question. What is deemed quality content? Does it have to include a number of words? Say 300-500 words with quality pictures? My content would likely be ruled out. I write simply for the joy of writing because I know @curie will never come lurking my way since this is a team account.

Are Utopian, DTube, Sndbox, or Curie posts we as Steemians should look upon for quality measures? It is these posts that receive the higher payouts. Let’s exclude the posts that make it to trending.

I know I spend my time on here looking at different content. Sometimes it is a post on contests, or how someone came up with their Steemit name, sometimes photography, sometimes Steemit-related and sometimes the post is Newbie Resteem initiative related. I can’t say that every post I’ve upvoted are quality content, because here is where the social media factor comes into play.

For me, Steemit is both a social media and blogging platform. Some may disagree and say take your thoughts to Facebook. I am there too (rarely), but there is where I share family photos or catch up with the lives of family and friends with my privacy settings. Here is where I share my writing skills and charming personality with the friends I’ve made thus far. If not through a post, then definitely via a comment that might be made minutes or days later. 😉

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Image Sources:
Laptop, Steemit voice from @paulag's post, Coins, Rock
Beeyou image by@seaslim
Newbieresteemday giphy by@amariespeaks

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Well, I clearly see where your day went now after reading your well thought out post. Steemit is definitely social media in my opinion. The platform is just centered on providing something more than others. To me, it's better to be great at something than to be an average one of many . I really enjoyed reading your post and look forward to seeing more. Btw, thanks for the shout out to qurator. I think they do a remarkable job.

Hi @energyaddict22. My apology for the late reply. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. I appreciate it, I'm just behind this week.

We both agree on the social media factor of steemit. I think there has to be aspects of social media involved since the the author's earnings is based on someone else stopping by to kindly give their support. It is definitely beneficial to have high ranking friends on here and those are social media attributes. I'm sure not every upvote are simply support given for quality content. :)

Since it is the weekend again already, I hope you have a great weekend!

Thanks for replying. I'm looking forward to reading your future posts. I appreciate the originality and effort. All the best to you.

I think Steemit is both a social media platform and also a blogging platform, plus I think it is also a showcase platform for quality artists of all kinds. In addition, as I described in my bot post, it is also a bot gaming system too. You could also focus on using it as a steem/sbd "pair" trading system and a curation system as well.

You make very good points and I think the "what are we" question is something that will only be raised more as time progresses. The beauty of the platform is that it can be many things, but the key to it fulfilling its potential will be up to the people that we choose to run it (the witnesses). That's why I am happy that we are starting to have those questions asked, because the more they are discussed the more engaged people become.

While you are correct Dave, I do feel that, besides the witnesses, the user will decide what Steem will be.
Like I did write in my comment to beeyou, people do look for people on facebook, while people do look for information on steemit, but do find people :)

I agree with you on that point too... Over time I do believe the users will decide, I just hope we don't churn through too many of them before we grow some roots! ;)

Time is indeed not always at out side. We must hope for the best and in the mean time trying to educate new users, get them interactive and keep them from using bots too much!

It is interesting reading other people’s perspective on the platform. Branding is important in marketing the product and I wonder what people would think if we say, Steemit: Where Bots Come Out to Play!

absolutely a great idea... You are right about having a tagline... That would make a great post... Showing off the new logo and tagline :P :)

I see you are catching up! Great job, but you need to sleep too ;)

Heading into my dreams now. Hope you have a good night and not hearing any siren songs. The magical world of dreams should be calling you too. See, it is Steemit.

haha... yes my magical world of dreams is calling too! Finally caught up though! :P Good night!

Hi Beeyou,
It could be both but I do see a look a differences. I like to compare Steemit more with a blogging platform than with facebook. While d.tube could become a competitor of youtube and maybe zapl with twitter, I'm seeing in the close future steemit to become a facebook competitor.
Lots of reasons why but the most important ones are:

  • most friends on facebook do know each other in real life. Here on Steemit, I have never seen one of the Steemians I'm following in real life.
    This makes that people search for people on facebook and maybe find some information.
    Here on steemit people do look for information, guides or content an do find people!
    I have never read an article on facebook which made me think about my future! Here on Steem this almost happens daily.
    So, I do see steem more as a blogging platform, which some kind of facebook features, but both couldn't be more different. Not only based on the technology but for sure how people do use it!

I'm going to sound like a FB advocate in the next sentence, so let me make it abundantly clear—I'm not.

However, I have found some thought provoking articles and posts on FB. I have learned something and I have thought about my future. I've even found things I would be interested in purchasing or learning more about.

That said, it's one thing to be a social site, and another to be a social site with the express and primary purpose of collecting life data of the participants, without having really told anyone that's what you're doing. It might be tucked away in the user agreement couched in legalese, but there's no banner announcement pinned anywhere saying, "We're a life data collection site. That's what we care about."

And all the existing social 2.0 sites do it to some degree or another. So, while they facilitate socialization, that's not their primary reason for existing. It can't be, because in that particular business model, free socialization doesn't make money.

So, in the truest of senses, I'm going to say we've yet to discover what a social site is, and maybe, just maybe, Steemit et al becomes that site.

To be honest, I don think that collecting data was part of the first business plans of Facebook. In the beginning it wasn't so clear that data gathering would be a gold mine. It was, according to me, a natural process :)

I suppose. It is kind of hard to believe that college student Zuckerberg and pals weren't so insanely smart and forward thinking that they didn't actually come up with the life data collecting idea until someone came to them and said, "How much for the data?"

That, though, makes them sound like sellouts rather than diabolical masterminds bent on world domination or destruction of civilization as we know it. Take your pick :)

I still will go for the fact that is was a natural process. Okay maybe a little naive of me.
Still facebook was a great invention and change the world a little bit. A change for the better and the worse!

I agree. Facebook has done quite a bit of good in connecting people, particularly friends and family that don't live close to one another. And outside of some kind of subscription service, or somehow selling a product, there wasn't much of a way to monetize it or make money off of it without selling advertising to companies who wanted access to so many potential paying customers.

If it had all ended there, without data being collected and then handed over to businesses and other organizations, then it may have been okay. Unfortunately, that's not where it stopped.

But we can blame the same to Google.
Which once started as a great algorithm, which opened the internet for as all. Did change in some kind of dictator- and censorship!

They are probably the biggest culprit of them all. Absolutely. It's sad that there has to be such good and bad associated with any of this tech. It just proves that it can be used for the betterment of mankind or its detriment, and it will take more than a relative handful being vigilant and pointing out the pitfalls for there to be a course correction.

We keep moving ahead without asking whether or not we should, or finding ways to mitigate the risks or dangers. I'm not saying turn our back on advancements—not by a longshot. But we need to stop finding things we could do only and start asking if we should. And then deal with the consequences before we move ahead.

In the case of these internet companies, I suppose it was inevitable. There is just too much revenue to be had, for Google, FB and everyone else benefiting from their data collecting not to do it. If we lived in a society built on privacy and trust, this wouldn't probably happen, first of all, but if it did, then we could be safe and secure with the vast stores of knowledge and information about each one of us being handed around. People would act ethically, and find socially acceptable ways to actually help us.

It would be great to have everything we ever wanted and needed available for perusing at our finger tips. It would actually be a service to us. Especially if price and quality were factored in so we're getting something worthwhile with our limited resources.

But, unfortunately, it's far less about improving our lives than it is enriching their own coffers. I very much believe in capitalism, but I also believe in the honest exchange of goods and services. If FB and Google were honest in their dealings with their users, they'd be paying every last one of us for what we just give them.

Thanks for the comment @fullcoverbetting. While the feature of Steemit is as a blogging platform, but the behavior on here is not. People come on here to read articles but there are also community involvement and engagement. It is these community support that keeps people engaged, entertained and motivated. I think blogging platform alone would be very boring without a social media aspect.

Now, if Steemit teamed up with Discord and we have our very own friends list on the side, now that there would definitely define Steemit as both. I think that would be a great idea if Steemit Inc chooses that path. Then Steemit would be a true competitor to FB.

Hi @fullcoverbetting. I replied to some of your other comments. Now replying to the main one. :)

I like how you said you see steemit as a blogging platform with some kind of facebook features. Exactly! We can't have one without the other, at least I don't think so. You have to have the 'relationship' that is prevalent on social media sites incorporated into aspects of steemit, or else people would just leave this blogging platform when they get penny earnings.

Edit--I just realized you are one of the ones I've already replied back to on the main comment. That's what I get for being days behind. Oh well, you got a double reply from me. :)

If I look at the core functions of Steemit, just what the UI provides, I see a monetized blogging platform with social capabilities or potential.

The Steemit UI doesn't have a chat, so unless you're going off site to do that, it means the socializing is taking place within the comments. I know that happens (I'm a participant in it more and more), but often, it is actually within the confines of the post topic. Stories about lives get related to make a point, or to explain an opinion, people share like or even opposing experiences with the same event or object.

So, if someone says this platform isn't social, well, I don't think that's true. It might not be optimized for that, but that might all be changing with the communities update (whenever that happens).

From what I get out of it, people have been making Steemit into whatever they think it should be. Those who socialize socialize, those who blog blog, those who curate curate, those who delegate delegate, those who spam spam, those who flag flag those who steemclean steemclean, and those who bot bot. I even ran across a bank a while ago loaning people STEEM/SBD, and I guess there's more than one.

The answer to "What is Steemit" is going to be different to different people based on what they like to do, what they can do, and where they find the most value. And maybe, therein lies the way forward. Trying to find someway to coexist without seemingly threatening the very existence of Steemit and the welfare of the STEEM ecosystem anytime anything is deemed out of whack.

I believe posts like this are a step forward, and even more so are the discussions being held here. And in the end, what we should end up with is a multi-use platform.

That said, some things might not be in keeping with the spirit or long term health of that platform. A consensus on what those things are and what to do about them needs to be reached. There are good people on all sides here. We just need to work out the roadblocks help as many as we can find their niche so they have the opportunity to succeed.

Then, let the chips fall where they may.

It would be wonderful if people start seeing it as multi-use platform @glenalbrethsen. I agree that people are using this platform to best suit their interest. The communities feature would help with identifying the brand of steemit when it comes out. At least I hope so, but until then, we will continue to use it as deemed in our minds.

I too have come across a bank on here. Steemit mimics the real world very much, so why shouldn't there be banks? Someone has to fund the economics of Steemit. It's just a matter of who will fall for the shark-bait. If it is worthwhile of the interest in the person's opinion, then definitely a perk to have on here for someone.

As for long term health of the platform, that too will depend on the behavior of the mass. There was a psychology study done once about rape. I believe it was found that people are more inclined to take action when they are the sole person at the scene. When there is a group of people there, they are less inclined to take any protective action because they expect the other person to do it. I believe the same mentality applies here. Many people don't expand beyond their own blog.

Perhaps it may have been a more engaging post if it didn't take me so long to reply back to people. My apologies, life gets busy and next thing I know, it's the weekend again!

Seems to me like there was plenty of engagement going on here. People just kind of did it. :)

We all got to do what we got to do, and we only have so much time to do it in, so no worries. I think the topic here was good enough to get the conversation going, so people jumped in and kept themselves occupied.

I think we're all looking to communities to do something good. I just hope it meets some expectations, at least. The more I hear about it, the more I'm getting concerned that it won't be a fix, or that it won't cause other issues. Not that there's a precedent here for that or anything. :)

We seem to live in a world of unintended consequences, and Steemit in particular is good at that. Someone might argue that unintended consequences are just consequences that weren't accounted for, or that were dismissed, or that might not be so unintended, but I feel better when I give people the benefit of the doubt with their actions and don't automatically consider them incompetent, arrogant or evil (or all three). :)

I definitely know I need that same mercy extended to me. Still, it would be nice for things to do what they're supposed to do, and on top of that, people be happy enough with it that they don't have to come up with ways to circumvent it.

I am so happy people engaged! You definitely are contributing with your thoughtful comment, which I appreciate.

I haven't looked into the communities features although I hear it's supposed to be on the wavelengths or reddit and solve all our steemit world hunger. ;) Will see what consequences will follow.

btw, do you know what gentebot is all about? I see it upvoting some of our comments, but not sure why.

I have also been the recipient of the gentlebot, but I have no idea how or why.

Just checked. It hasn't posted or commented in six or seven months, but is earning a healthy amount of rewards through curation, so it's only upvoting, and probably mainly comments. It's not a bid bot that someone paid that I can see, but it is receiving a 50,000-plus delegation from smooth, which is one (and probably the original) of a few accounts I've seen with smooth in the name.

Smooth's account was created in March 2016, so they're one of the earliest adopters or part of the original STEEM team, while gentlebot has been around since June 2017. So, maybe it's just smooth's way of going around and rewarding engagement. :)

Phenomenal @beeyou. Did you say you are lazy to write? Maybe that was in the past lolz.

A lazy person for all I know can not and will not write this lengthy informative exposition. Alright! Maybe from my definition of a lazy writer.

And we don't need to call ourselves bloggers to be bloggers. My opinion. Maybe we check out the definition of a blogger once again.

For the fact that you spent time connecting with others on this platform whether through commenting or simply going through their contents makes this place a social media.

I hope you are having a great day!

We met last weekend and it is now the weekend again! Hi @desmonddesk. Thanks for stopping by. :)

See how lazy I am to write? It took me this long to get back to my comments. Sounds like the consensus is steemit as a social media site or so hybrid of it. We will see how it evolves.

I hope are having a great day!

Smiles... I guess I now see it with you.

Lol, sometimes I can get back sooner. Enjoy this beautiful weekend!! :)

What a great honor, to be going through my notifications, and to see somebody as wonderful as you has decided to follow me. I am truly in awe. This is very gracious of you. I look up to you, for all that you do and for who you are. I really do believe that steemit will become something that is amazingly wonderful. Probably beyond anything that we can imagine. I also believe that it will take a large group of great leaders to get there. And while I may never be one of those leaders, I will gladly do everything I can in the background to fully support them. I could talk longer, but it seems like as I reply to Notifications more just keep coming in. And it's already past my bedtime. 😁 So thank you again for this great honor. Sending you all of my love until we meet again. And may our Creator bless yous.

Hi @johndoer123. Don't be so impressed. ;) As you can tell, it takes me forever to get back to people nowadays. I'm flattered you took the time to look me up though. Thank you, it means a lot to have others want to know the person you are.

Don't rule yourself out as being one of those leaders. I don't believe you have to be a leader to everyone. Even if your voice helps just one person, then you are a leader. You seem to be extending your bedtime hours later and later I see, with answering to all the notifications. It is difficult to catch up sometimes. Remember, find balance and don't get burned out.

Happy to meet a new friend on here! From what I can tell so far, you have the heart and passion to help others. Steemit will be a better place with individuals like yourself. :)

Have a great day!

So you've noticed my bed times? Are you stalking me? 😁 And yes bedtimes have been being extended. It's hard not to. I'm still new here and still on my "Steemit high". I'm sure after a while I'll slow down a bit. And thanks for all the great compliments. I will do my best I can do. I hope that you have a good day and all my love until we meet again.

Congratulations, you have been resteemed because you used the #newbieresteemday tag and have a good post!

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The tag-lifter looks for good #newbieresteemday posts to resteem to his 2300+ followers!

I think Steemit shouldn't have to fit into a box or adhere to any code.. why can't it be both? and more.. there is opportunity for all to make money doing whatever it is they love and are interested in and the also turn around and support people who are making awesome stuff you like? Whether it's a blog, vlog, educational article, photos, artwork, sculptures - I've seen coffee mugs and all types of stuff for sale on here.
If we just focus on making quality connections, sharing what you love and supporting the stuff you like it works out. Once people start trying to put up boundaries and exclusions that's when people get turned off.
Don't get me wrong I love to write.. I write a ton of posts and I actually read a lot of posts too but if "the man" starts telling me Steemit is a "bloggers only" site.. that's when I have an issue.. it's a free and open platform for all types of interactions and it shouldn't be sculpted and limited
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wow... always the great insight @amariespeaks! Yes I don't think "the man" should tell us anything. I'm sick of "the man" too... I think its time we become each become "the man" over just our own lives and lets keep away from any government like institutions... (with rules and restrictions meant to keep their power over us)

That's why I love this place... If we get enough power together, I think we will be the types that will not abuse it like happens everywhere else!

ps.. I like the pic too... very cool... I like homer :P

You got a 100.00% upvote from @bearwards courtesy of @unleashpower!

lol thank you! and yes that is exactly why I love this place too! It's a paradise compared to the real world lol ;-)
I saw this one on giphy and couldn't help myself LOL

Hi @amariespeaks. We forget the marketplace aspect people are turning steemit into which you've mentioned as well...coffee mugs, logo designs..heck, I even saw an advertisement making steemit into a place where you can offer your companionship to others (chat daily with them, say nice words) for a certain number of SBD. I thought it was funny!

Once people start trying to put up boundaries and exclusions that's when people get turned off.

Exactly. We already live within the confines of rules in the real world. If steemit is supposed to be a past-time where you can have fun, marking boundaries will only make me feel it's another workplace. No need to add anymore of that into my life.

Always love your rants! I do so too as you know already. ;)

See how behind I am nowadays? 6 days to get back to people, my worse ever!

lol no worries! yeah Steemit could work as many different types of services - I would like to see more payout for good work but maybe that will start to happen over time. I hope ! :)

If steemit were a "blogging" only platform, then no individual would be making any money other than by self voting. If it were a "social" platform only then it would be as toxic as facebook only with money, and half the votes would be down votes so no one would earn a dime. When you add in "audience" platform, then you have "steemit", and when the blogger, the socialite, and the audience member are treated with respect, then you have a successful "steemit".

I agree with you on all @bashadow. We can't just be one because there are already existing platforms out there with just 'one' feature. Great points!

Bloggers, and Crypto-people, often forget, if no one is there to read their post, it just sits, me I am more of an audience member, I like drama-sometimes, I like novels-sometime, I like to learn things-sometimes, and I like eye-candy - sometimes. No one only goes to the movies to watch Dancing in the Rain with Fred Astaire, some people like Purple Rain with Prince.

Awesome post @beeyou. Steemit has many user types, which I did not bring up in my article and you are quite right. The actions of community leaders are of such importance to steemit. All the contests all the initiatives. These all play a part in Steemit.

When it comes to defining good content, well this is also very subjective and each of us have our own interests and likes.

This has been a very interesting discussion, reading the comments both here and on my post shows the diverse range of user needs that steemit has to cater for.

Thank you for continuing the discussion :-)

Hi @paulag. I appreciate you stopping by! I really should have accounted for time-management to ensure I can get back to everyone before making a post. Or perhaps I should have just replied on your post. :)

I also agree good content is subjective to the reader. Even memes can be deemed quality content if we base it on upvote value. 😏

Thanks for an engaging topic!

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