Minnow University // Realistic Expectations and Tips for Success!
Realistic Expectations
You can't succeed on Steemit as an Island.
Meaning, as a minnow or new user, you can’t just write a post and expect it to magically make a ton of money without interacting with others and building relationships.
Throughout my time here I’ve seen many people become frustrated by the low payouts on their posts.
Some people see the trending page when they first get here and mistakenly believe that if they make a post they will also receive over $200.
The majority of those on the trending page have either been here for a while, invested heavily in Steem, or have caught a Whale or Curie vote on one particular post.
Also, just like in life, there will always be a small percentage of individuals who become well known and famous and will receive more money than the rest of us.
So, if you are joining as a new user with $0 in your account like I did, you will just be starting at the lowest level and will need to work your way up!
During my first couple months on Steemit I was lucky to receive some Curie votes on a few Open Mic performances, but that was the exception to the rule. The rest of my posts were only receiving anywhere from $1 to $5 which made sense as I was still growing my account, gaining followers, making friends, joining communities, and networking.
So, please don’t become frustrated with your payouts. For most of us it takes time to grow and succeed on this platform. Just stay the course!
Tips for Success
My last 3 posts focused on the most important aspect of Steemit success which is Community.
If you are a new user then please check them out!
The Importance of Writing Meaningful Comments
The best way to meet people and gain followers is by leaving meaningful, valuable, and/or insightful comments.
Leaving a comment like, "nice post", comes across as spam and doesn't indicate that you even read the person's blog!
The Importance of Finding your Niche
The best way to succeed and enjoy your time on Steemit is to find your niche: write about what you enjoy, what you are good at, share your knowledge, or share your talents.
Following and commenting on other's posts who share similar interests will help you to find a community of individuals who all support one another.
How Steemit Discord Communities Can Help You
Discord is the best way to interact with other Steemians outside of the blockchain.
You can join communities, find friends, gain followers, and network.
New Tip: Responding to Comments on Your Blog
Sometimes I go to leave a comment on someone's blog and I see that the blogger hasn't replied to any of the comments.
As a minnow or new user it is extremely important that you respond to comments on your blog, especially thoughtful and meaningful comments that someone has taken the time to leave for you!
This is how you meet people, gain followers, and ultimately get upvotes and resteems!
This is extremely important to your success on Steemit!
I hope this blog has helped you. I look forward to your feedback!
Minnow University is brought to you by witness @swelker101 with support from @isaria and @kubbyelizabeth to help new Steemit users understand the concepts and basics of Steemit and other STEEM blockchain platforms. We have working relationships with MSP at PALnet and The Writer's Block to help educate minnows on how to grow their accounts without resorting to spam or practices that may stunt their ability to flourish on the platform. Please join us at our Discord Server.
Even still, with a relatively decent level of activity, most of my posts don't break $3 or so. But it's about consistency, and honestly just about appreciating the community that is available to you.
I feel like the less I've thought about the payouts and more about the community, networking, encouraging others, and meeting new and interesting people, my payouts reflect higher numbers anyways.
Great post isaria!
Same deal here. But it does pay off over time, and is such a great place to share; the people are bar-none and tend to truly appreciate quality much more than on other platforms.
@kayclarity Totally agree. Patience is everything. Worry about producing quality content and people will notice - the higher payouts will just be a byproduct of that.
@isaria Of course! That's one of the most refreshing things about here. As things become more and more automated, it seems like human interaction and conversation is incentivized here in a way that keeps the community healthy and positive. Thanks for the good chat!
Thank you! It's always nice talking with you!
<3
Thank you Harrison! It's so true, human interaction is so important!!!
Thank you for always offering your thoughtful responses!
<3
Hi - great post, I whacked you with a 100% upvote (I think, it's still whirring...)
Another reason for high post payouts is inflation by bots. For anyone reading whose seen @joeparys posts (or his sister who does the same) - more than half of the value (much more) he pays for through bots.
So you get a really misleading impression of potential earnings.
As @Isaria says, commenting is so important, and connecting... basically just get into the platform, blinker yourself to the botards (claimed, my word!) - they don't generally interact with you anyway, they're just here for the £££. (But don't worry, when the universe corrects itself, they'll disappear up their own assholes)
I think commenting is working for me, although the $grand or so I invested in the platform to get up to 1000SP probably helps - and I can't isolate the independent effect of that on my successful interactions from the comments themselves - being able to give someone even a $0.50 cent upvote helps get you noticed so much more than a $0.01!
Very true, great points, and a perfect example of a meaningful, insightful comment yay!
I like the way you said "whacked you with a 100% upvote" lol!
Good post, friend! It is quite the process to build up a little bit of a community, but it does snowball a bit as you go--a lot of people really do want to help those doing good work (I'm often on the hunt now that I have at least a little voting power) and are really generous with upvotes, comments, resteems, so there really is a lot of truth here to working hard and seeing results. Of course there is a huge element of fortune to some degree, and no promises, but a gradual increase over the course of time is reasonable if you're being sincere in your work.
Thanks! Absolutely, and a combination of community interaction and high quality content can only bring positive results!
Sometimes - well, more than sometimes - it is taking that leap up and out of your comfort zone. Two months ago I never would have dreamed I'd meet the lovely people I have, or found a niche in a game world, or been lucky enough to have been curied for a scholarly article, let alone be amongst various groups on Discord, dusting off rusty skills that might actually prove useful to others out there in the Steemiverse.
Life sure can lead you down some interesting paths (even when you're an introvert!) lol.
Sounds like you've had a great time on Steemit so far, that's wonderful to hear!
I'm an introvert too so I know how that is lol
Great post @isaria
All this is very good advice even for those that have been around lol.
I think dealing with and tuning your expectations is important, but if you do the things mentioned in this post (leave great comments, finding your niche and being a part of the community) then persistence with the platform can bring success :)
So to everyone out there reading this post:
Never give up!
lol I love that gif.
And you're right, a lot of what I'm writing about in these posts really just reminds me that I need to start taking my own advice lol
Thanks for providing value, @isaria!
I agree about the importance of replying to comments on your blog. It's especially important if you are new or it's a first-time commenter. If someone takes the time and effort to comment on your work, and you never bother to respond, it's not likely they are going to return to upvote and comment on your next post. Why bother after getting ignored?
That's exactly right, well said....and thank you!
As a new user with 500+ followers (Still low, i know), i can say the most valuable thing you can do (Besides posting the ABSOLUTELY VERY BEST CONTENT you can produce) is:
Comment. A lot. and WELL.
I try to comment at least between two or three hours every day. Docens of comments. Meaningful comments. Not "that's so kewl!" comments, but respectful, valuable comment that shows you care. It is incredible how simple this is, and how well this works.
This is a community, so, heck, do some community!
This is my best advice, for newcomers.
Absolutely, human interaction and community is what it's all about!
great to meet you, thanks for the post. I am upvoting and following
Great tips! Thanks for sharing....I can definitely relate.
You have shared many good tips that will benefit us a lot @isaria.
Thank you, I hope you find it helpful :)