How Not to Steem--Some tips on how to succeed, and a message for compulsive Steemvote "beggars."
I realize I will probabaly get some hate for this post and be classified as a pompous ass, but oh well.
When I started on Steemit almost a year ago with this post, it made mere pennies, as you can see. This was at a time when other anarchists and Steem-Os were taking in tens of thousands of dollars on single posts. I was frustrated initially, as my very first posts made almost nothing. Go and see for yourself.
I got a lot of help from a friend, who encouraged me, saying that I would get back--generally speaking--what I put in. He inspired me, urging me to leverage the platform and put my heart into the content, saying he would support me where he could. It wasn't just him. It was a lot of people here and there, not just upvoting, but showing me how to use the platform.
Well, after a lot of penny posts, I put my heart into this one, and saw my first real, significant payout. "Elation" is not quite the word for it. Since this time I have been Steeming, high payout or not, like a madman.
So, without further ado...
Some general guidlines for "making it" on here:
1. Don't beg for votes.
It really isn't what this platform is about, and is gonna damage your reputation in the long run. Asking for someone to upvote, follow, read your post, or give you advice is totally understandable, and I did it in the beginning quite often. But here's the catch:
People upvote because of a connection. It could be a connection with you in "real life" ("meat space" as some call it), a real, pronounced interest in your content/topic areas, or a return favor for something you did for them. In other words: BE GENUINE. Not reading someone's post or even mentioning it in your comment and then saying: "VOTE FOR ME!" really is bad form. Where's the relationship in that?
2. Pour your heart into it.
I cannot tell you how much "steeming" has taught me about myself and helped me to grow as a person. The financial incentives--contrary to the cries of the Communistic "altruists"--help with this. If you want to make money, you have to put forth something of value. What is value? Well, that takes a different shape and form for everyone. One thing is certain, though, the market seems to prefer honesty, passion, and rigor over non-emotionally invested attempts at "getting followers" or "getting rewards." You should want the rewards. You should want a fucking ton of rewards. And the reason you should want them is BECAUSE YOU KNOW YOUR STUFF IS GOOD, and valuable TO YOU.
3. Embrace the Community.
I made a post just yesterday about the importance of community. It's no different here on Steem. The more value you put in, the more you will get back, and then some. Beyond the monetary rewards you will meet new people, be exposed to new and challenging ideas, and really start to understand the beauty and nature of your own unique and individual tribe. The community who is drawn to you via your passion will be there for you more than you can imagine when it comes to encouragement and support, and this includes financial support via resteems, upvotes, and the like.
Well, I guess that is about all I have to say.
Sometimes I have (reluctantly) been flagging commentors who repeat post "vote for me" comments several times on the same post, without once mentioning my post's content. I think a verbal notice about the nature of the platform as a kind of heads up for these users is a good thing to do, prior to dropping the "Flag bomb." The ones who are really here to dig in will understand, and as they are rewarded for putting out higher and higher quality content, their content will improve, and you will have a new community member backing you with more and more Steem Power, in the future.
Get in there, fucking pour your guts out (even to the point of scaring yourself, at times), and Steem on.
~KafkA
Graham Smith is a Voluntaryist activist, creator, and peaceful parent residing in Niigata City, Japan. Graham runs the "Voluntary Japan" online initiative with a presence here on Steem, as well as Facebook and Twitter. (Hit me up so I can stop talking about myself in the third person!)
I concur with your advice @kafkanarchy84. I almost stopped using steemit.chat because lots of newbies there begging for upvote and asking you to follow them when they don't even have a content that I am interested in. Posts like this will really help many newbies.
Thanks for sharing
Disclaimer: I am just a bot trying to be helpful.
Verry well said my friend.. When I can't write anything I'm better off not writing honestly.. Just commenting is good enough by itself to some extent of you are a beginner.
Great post and much love :)
-Goldie ❤︎
I did on my anti follower-for-follower post a few days ago, still stand behind it though! I'm glad people sometimes share these kind of things. Some newer members really don't know any better and actually appreciate these posts.
As a newbie to this site, thank you for the sincere advice. You mentioned community and that's one part of Steemit that I love. It's extremely positive and support-minded here.
Regards,
Eitsky
Nice. UPvoted
Good article thanks, as a new member I'm realising it's going to be a very long road but am prepared to stick with it , and I'll be the first to admit I have to improve A LOT cheers mike
Great article @kafkanarchy84 I couldn't agree more. I'm fairly new, 4 days in as of now and even I'm already starting to get annoyed with people shamelessly begging for followers and upvotes without providing any value in their content.
Growing your following organically is tough and slow moving at first but I think the only way to really "GET IT" and maintain. Plus it guarantees that those following you are actually interested in what you have to share/say.
Awesome article!
Couldn't agree more. Thanks for this comment!
I love this. I am a super noob when it comes to steem. Still learning the ropes and what to do , as well as what NOT to do.
I'm honestly LOVING steem. I find interesting people all over the globe who have the same or similar world views, and they are posting quite often, so every time I login, there's something of value to read, to think about and to discuss.
There's no ad or other kak you don't want to see that has been shared by someone your only "friends" with because you were in preschool together.
There's no distant aunt asking when you're gonna have kids on your photo of whatever.
It's great.
I like your vibe 🤘🏽
Cheers, @princessmewmew, glad to know ya.
🤘🏽pleasure. I really like your posts
Hello, kafkanarchy84!
Can I translate your post to Korean and share it with the link with my KR community?
Sure, feel free. Thanks✨
i don't feel you are being pompous at all. i've only been here for 2 days, but i'm already annoyed by people who do this. still, i understand how tough it is to start from scratch as many are just looking for ways to get more exposure.
but there are
rightbetter ways to do this, which don't make you look like an ass to the authors of the posts you are plugging on. at least read through their content and leave some feedback on it, and then if your own post is somehow related or relevant, then go ahead and share it. or at least try to build a connection first instead of going straight for the jugular.thanks for the tips!