Why is it Hard for Newbies to Get Upvotes?

Some time not so long ago, I encountered a question posted on threads asking why is it hard for newbies to get upvotes.

Maybe that is one secret code that we cannot totally decipher or can we?

I left a comment under the thread saying Hive is a social network, hence, we need to make interactions with others so that they will know we exist. There wasn't any response after that and I would like to think that the user understood it (or she didn't read it). It's similar to the traditional social media where no one would be "liking" or "hearting" our content if we didn't have any friends or any followers, yes?

The thing is that, maybe most of us had the wrong notion when we started here - that we drop our content and expect comments and reactions (upvotes) coming. This brought me back to when I was just starting.

Quick Throwback

It was a rough start for me too. Although during that time, it was more of a curiosity, just that the clueless me didn't even bother to check things further. Thought I can just create and share my content in anyway I want and that was okay. While I was reading other people's posts then, I was not even making any comment on them. I often ran out of Resource Credits so I come and go.

For four months (August toward the end of November 2021), I had mostly zero to a few upvotes on my content and there were no engagements in most of them.

It was until a wonderful soul (coquicoin) reached out saying we should learn how things are done and that was what we did. We joined communities, observed things, started interacting, learning, showing up, etcetera. That was when it felt we belonged and started enjoying the process.

So back to the question...

Why is it hard for newbies to get upvotes?

My only answer to that would be because not many people know us when we are new. Unless we have been onboarded by a whale to have at least a smoother start, most of us go through similar process - of having to go out of our way to make our presence felt.

That is why the Cryptomaniacs guys (TM and Jongo) often say on their podcasts that we got to keep showing up.

Getting out there and making noise (and by 'noise' I mean, engaging with other people on their posts. That's how they will get to notice you).

This reminded me of a comment I read many moons ago where a long-term user of Hive _{(one from The Alliance community if I wasn't mistaken)} shared how she got intrigued by a newbie who was asking questions that people do not normally ask. That's when she knew that the newcomer is interested and willing to learn (teachable). So she supported her (upvoting her content, commenting on them and I think she even spared time to tutor the newbie about Hive).

Taskmaster also shared how he noticed some users through their interactions and activities on threads. Thereby earning his upvotes by simply showing up, consistently engaging and creating content.

So what to do?

There is no written rule on what to do but I'm sharing some things below based on my personal experience and observations and it may vary from person to person but the common denominator I guess is one's general activity here on the blockchain.

• Show up every day

  Be present. Enjoy the process of learning things, creating quality content, getting to know other people through their posts, engaging with them not for the sake of being noticed but to build a good network (connection).

  I read some people say they set a time going through their notifications and another time to draft and publish their content. I guess it's creating our own strategy on how we do things without having to sacrifice or compromise our real life responsibilities.
  
  

• Be consistent

  This is not only my personal experience but it's what I have noticed as well with others. Having consistency in your presence (engagement and in your content).

  Sometime ago, someone sent me a direct message asking me what to do so his posts would get upvotes too. I shared to him what I and others are doing - coming to Hive every single day, upvoting and commenting on people's posts, staking HIVE, even joining contests, making friends, creating one post a day etcetera. He was adamant. I sensed through his response that he didn't like it.

  Whilst another who asked the same thing on my DM and applied things, stayed consistent in her quality content and engagement, growing her account. And she's doing pretty well up until now.
  
  

• Grow your account

  And by that, I mean in various aspects (network/connection/followers, Hive Power). It is quite noticeable that most big curators tend to support those who show they are here for the long run.

  Everyone's wallets (Hive accounts) are publicly viewable and although it may not be 100% true to all or most, it is observable that those who are not growing their accounts (no matter how long they have been here), are not getting enough support. Although there might be some exemption. But yes, I've see some 5-year old accounts that are still struggling to date while there are newer accounts that are doing well.
  
  

• Have fun and be open to learning

  The thing is if we focus mainly on the rewards, we won't last long. I would probably have gone elsewhere during those four months where my content were getting mostly zero upvotes if I was only thinking about instant gratification. I was curious and I want to learn and they were enough to keep me going.

  Yes, we all want to monetize our activities, but we just can't force it.

Final Thoughts

Each one's situation and journey on Hive is different and what I have shared are not by no means rules set in stone. They are those that worked for me and for some people I know. Hive OGs say the same thing. But it's up to you to find out what works best for you.

Or you can also apply them and not try to reinvent the wheel as they say.

TM mentioned yesterday that he treats his Hive account as a business where he got to do all he can to keep it thriving. Perhaps doing the same thing will work too.

And don't lose heart if you are doing everything and still you are not getting the support you expect. It can be frustrating but hang in tight, just keep going, enjoy the process and I believe it will come to you too. A year from now, you would be thankful you didn't quit.