I am looking at steem growth outside steemit as well. So removing barriers to entry first. On some of these interfaces outside steemit, they may not let other links show up till approved etc, but they may allow youtube links

This is really true and I second your practical idea. It would give prospective steemians the opportunity to understand about Steemit well before signing up and of course would give them chance to explore the positive impacts from steemit/steem without being registerred.

You have a practical solution here!
I salute that
It would surely work.