Hello, I too joined Steemit today and made my first post. As you know this is a way to earn steem and invest in Steemit. I also watch all Altcoins on http://coinmarketcap.com. You can find Steem there, click on it, look at the markets it's sold on and see that Bittrex exchange lists it a bit lower than Poloniex. I've used both exchanges and you do need to have bitcoin to be able to purchase here. You can start a coinbase account to fund via your bank account or credit card, then get bitcoin and send to one of these exchanges to purchase Steem. Here is a link to create a coinbase account http://bit.ly/ffcoinz
This is my referral link so I will get $10 in bitcoin and you will too when you fund it with $100. Coinbase is free to set up but there are fees to send, sell, transfer bitcoin.

I agree with you. Steemit is a great platform with excellent network effects and longevity, unlike most Altcoins. Cheers!
#BitContagious