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!)
