What is Reputation (REP) ? And some more detail

Reputation (REP) is a plugin installed on the Steemit webiste (and a few other websites using the Steem blockchain) as a estimated numerical measure on your overall "trustworthiness" on the site. It's not really recorded on the blockchain itself, so your reputation wont affect your post payouts.

The system was designed initially to combat spammers, trolls and haters and overall the usual "shitlords of the internet". Meaning if your Reputation goes below a certain number, your post or comment will be hidden.

It works by calculating the number of upvotes you receives and who upvotes you. Meaning it takes more upvotes of people of lower reputation than you to push you up as compared to those at the higher reputation. A full powered upvote by a level 74 Steemian on a post made by a level 30 steemian will propel his reputation at an INSANE rate. but not so when a level 74 upvotes another 74.

Generally you just try to engage the community. Look at what is the trending issue and talk with the "big guys" on around there. Or just consistently post good posts until a whale happens by and say "wow, this guy is underappreciated".

Theres a fun little widget over at http://steem.cool/

Just type in any username you wanna check on and you'd see a breakdown on how much your reputation is and how many more to level up.

Here let me help you http://steem.cool/crowe
Just click on that link and you'll see your live repuation score and level. Gives you an idea of how it works.

Hope my comment helps!

by the way i love your cute endcard image. Do you mind if i snag it when i have need for it? i'd credit you of course!