RE: Steemit operating advice for newcomers and the generally 'not quite sure'.
I haven't given any formatting advice yet. I wanted to start with the basics first.
Write good quality posts, put spaces between paragraphs to make it easy on the eye to your readers and add pictures. If you use Google Images, Pixabay etc, be sure to say where the pictures are from. If you need to ask permission to use an image, make sure you ask and receive that permission before you post it.
To start with, that's as much as you need. :)
Formatting is simple, but Steemit can be complicated for the newbie and one step at a time is probably best for the beginners.
The timing on the vote for beginners again is another complexity for later, I think. Just getting their name out there, getting a few followers and interacting. The timing of their vote won't amount to much to start with, unless they are powering-up with a lot of purchased Steem, so timing won't make much difference.
Did you get an explanation as to why you should not bother with the promoted stuff? I'm not sure why you'd be advised to avoid it. I use it from time to time, but as with everything Steemit, to start with, don't expect to make hundreds on your posts. If you do, you can celebrate an unexpected windfall.
You're most welcome.
From the responses I've received, I think there may be another post coming soon and I'll be sure to add your formatting points in there, @fitinfun - thank you :)
Thank for all the info. So helpful and I will look out for part two. I think the person said something along the line of "those are ads." This made me think I would want to skip them.
There are no ads on Steemit :) Everything is a post. You may get some spammers though... ;)
Not too many since I am little. I think they go after you big guys more :)
I'd say don't bother with the promotion page and its efforts because it doesn't look one bit productive. Entries like "Potential Payout $20.51 in 15 minutes / promotion cost $38.14" are pretty standard. Days back, I saw one that showed a $4+ potential payout with an $88 promotion cost.
That pretty much killed the whole idea for us ... so unless the potential payout figures are on top of the promotion costs (and if so, somewhere someone should make that clear) ... I'd agree with those who say "skip it." (Another real-life example -- Potential Payout $1.54 -- in 10 hours -- Promotion Cost $22.00.)
Also, I don't see much here that isn't somehow crypto-related ... and while I realize that's 90% of what this platform is really about -- if that's not your audience, it would seem you're not apt to find much of a new readership or more followers using this strategy.
If there's a misunderstanding here, please do correct me. I'm still learning like so many others. But that's how I see this issue presently.
No, not misleading, you've said what you've seen.
I haven't looked at the promotion page recently.
To be honest, I don't think some of the people are using the promotion feature to recoup their investment. I think they are using it to get their blog post at the top of the page so everyone can see it.
Just because someone pays a fortune to promote their blog post doesn't mean it will necessarily make 'mega-bucks' although it has happened before now.