Yesterday a Steemian wrote in the comment section that he is a beginner here and that he is a bit confused because on the platform itself and on youtube people are saying different things about how to get successful on Steemit.
Or let us say: How to start the journey right, getting more followers, and of course bigger financial rewards.
Is it better for a beginner to focus first on writing articles like this one, or to focus more on commenting? This question I will try to handle here.
And again, there is no one best rule.
What I am sharing with you is based on my experience and observation.
This was my starting point. I was already familiar with blogging and writing that's why I focused directly on publishing my content. It was not that someone told me I was just led by my skills.
In this stage, I researched on this platform and also on youtube what other people are saying about some Steemit Hacks. ;) We all are looking for them, right?
I found out that commenting would bring more rewards and followers than publishing your own content. I tried it out.
Indeed comments brought me some new followers, but I didn't get higher rewards compared to my articles. I have to say that I tried to summon the rewards of many comments, not only from one compared to one article.
In my case, I can say yes, I got more followers via commenting but the rewards were sobering. But again this was in my case, it has not to be in your situation. Maybe I was writing not great enough comments.
Some Steemian told me that he gained an attractive amount via comment rewards and also more follower compared to his articles.
I can't give you the best solution; this is something everyone has to find out for himself. But there is something I can definitely tell you; something that will work for sure. Curious? You have to wait a bit. First, I want to show you something more I observed here.
I recognized that both actions, publishing articles and commenting brought two different types of followers out.
Through meaningful comments, you build faster friendships here. Through these comments, conversation happens, and some of them will be shifted into the steemitchat where the conversation continues.
Through comments, you make connections on a deeper basis.
For example: When a user sees you always bringing meaningful comments, he gets curious about you and upvotes you by time. Some upvotes arise just through sympathy.
This includes me also. When I see a person is commenting a lot, I am willing to reward her or him for that. Many authors are doing that. Through comments, you're making friends, and this is so important.
Through your published content you attract real followers.
What do I mean by that?
People follow you because they have an interest in what you are sharing. They are interested in your voice. They believe they can get something valuable from you. This could be an advice, how they can make something better, or getting interesting information about a specific topic. It's like they are getting something to eat.
This is more on a professional basis.
Don't get me wrong, I am not saying it is always like that, far away with that.
These people don't want to miss a post of you because they expect something valuable for themselves. Something they can implement into their own lives.
Let me try to explain it in another way.
Through meaningful comments and everything that happens out of that, you are building friendships.
Through your quality posts, you are building your brand.
Imagine an author looks on your blog because he saw you always posting great comments, but he sees no real structure in your blog. But he finds you sympathetic, and that's why he/she will follow you to support you in time which is great!
The other case is that he/she sees your blog and see that you are writing about something he is really interested in. He reads one post and discovers that he can learn a lot of you. He starts following you because of your skills in a particular topic.
Am I saying its always that way? NO! Far Away with that.
I am just trying to draw a picture for a better understanding.
I have a clear opinion about that.
My answer is BOTH!
And this is the best case, the best combination but also the hardest!
You need friends, who support you but you also need a brand which attractst followers. I would say that a brand is a bit stronger for the long run.
But it's hard to do both equally commenting a lot and writing interesting contributions, puhhh tough work. But this is, in my opinion, the best combination.
I don't know many people, but some people represent this type of user.
Since June 2017 he is a member here.
Look at his number in the middle. This number represents the total amount of comments you made. He did so far over 13.000 friends.
Then take a look at his feed. I would say he is writing awesome stuff.
I know my opinion is subjective some of you might disagree, and that's fine.
The second example for me is a user who is still no longer active here. But I hope that he will come back one day.
This guy has made a huge climb in a short amount of time, and his last activity in case of publishing is over two months ago and look what he achieved. When he would have done his road the last two months with the same intensity, he would be already on the Steemit moon! But it could also be that he pressed too hard an burned out. I hope not, but it could be.
By the way, he is until now the only one who could fight against me regarding thumbnails in my opinion :D (just kidding)
Like I said there is no best way or rule to achieve the goal you've set. But we can say that both commenting and posting are essential. Which weight you give to both it's up to you.
But what I would recommend is this:
Start with that where you feel more comfortable with. Don't stress yourself. Play around and see how you find yourself in this ocean. Make some experiments and observe the output. And again don't stress yourself. This site is still young and the fact that you are already here gives you an advantage.