Wrong pitch

Having spent three days in Amsterdam at Steemfest, I realise that I’ve been pitching Steem and Steemit all wrong.

I’ve been pitching Steemit as a platform that rewards people (financially) for posting, commenting and voting on the site. This certainly has an appeal. Using the blockchain and the concept of mining to pay people for their social interaction is a potentially revolutionary concept. I’ve no doubt that in 20 years time, we will look back to the days of Facebook, Twitter and Instagram as the days when people gave away their attention and ideas to fill the coffers of company shareholders. We will look back at ourselves like we were all bat-shit crazy!

However, the concepts and the ideas behind Steem and Steemit are not what make the platform special. What makes it special are the people that are attracted to those concepts and ideas. This weekend I got to mingle with some of those people.

Biggest asset

Attending Steemfest, was like attending an event for well-funded revolutionaries. It was an opportunity to listen and seek to better understand some of the bright minds that I’ve come across on Steemit. My only regret was not having enough time. Not enough time with those that I spoke time. Not enough time to speak to everyone.

I came away with the conclusion that the biggest asset Steem has is its community. As Hive account@andrarchy correctly states in his recent video, 'it’s the diversity that makes this community unique. Not superficial diversity but “real” diversity of ideas'. With an audience of people are incentivised to listen and respond to in an intelligent and respectful way.

Steemit revival

For me, Steemfest has really brought Steemit alive once more. It reminded me of when the introduceyourself tag first started doing the rounds. The site came alive with a myriad of different faces giving a glimpse of themselves in an honest and open way. Only Steemfest was better than a tag. You could verify what you were seeing was real and get a real sense of who people were as human beings.

High bar

The event organisation and attention to detail was second-to-none. Hive account@roelandp deserves the utmost kudos for organising this. When we were told that the $144 was a quarter of the per head price, I’d initially dismissed it as marketing patter. I was wrong. It was evident that no expense was spared putting this event on. It made the occasion even more memorable. The bar is set really high for any future Steemfest events!

No plan, no agenda

When I told people that I was going to Steemfest, they gave me a slightly side-wards look.

Their expression said it all, “Why the hell would you do that?”

My response was, “Just to see.”

I had no real expectations from Steemfest, no plan, no agenda.

I just wanted to see. Like the July 4th payout, the money feels “real” when you see it in your bank. The people become that bit more real when you the 'whites of their eyes' and the glint of their smile.

Totally immersed

I’d invited my sister, Hive account@ak2020 to come along with me. She was afterall the PR guru in the family. This kind of event was more up her street than mine. If worse came to worse, and Steemfest was a complete wash-out, at least we could spend some quality time in Amsterdam fleshing out ideas that our lives in London hadn’t afforded us the time to do.

Or so I thought. In truth we spent the whole time immersed in all things Steem and Steemit, most importantly the people. It was an uplifting experience.

I’d like to thank everyone that was so generous with their time at Steemfest. I learned a lot, laughed a lot, listened a lot and didn’t sleep much! A perfect weekend in Amsterdam.

Shout outs

I literally spoke to more people than I could possibly list sensibly in one post. I valued every interaction. However as this post is about "the people", its only right to give a few shoutouts:

Hive account@svk Hive account@steemrollin – the first two people I spoke to when I arrived on Friday night. So knowledgable yet so down-to-earth
Hive account@saramiller Hive account@everlove – the love and enthuasism that the both of you radiate is very infectious!
Hive account@kevinwong Hive account@andrarchy - more than orcas, really great guys. Only wish I had a chance to hang out with you two more.
Hive account@knozaki2015 – man, you are funnier than advertised. I now have a stash of euros under my pillow (for a raining day) thanks to your sage advice!
Hive account@terrybrock – I think you’re onto something with your training video ideas. Welcome to the platform, I look forward to reading your posts.
Hive account@mammasitta – thanks for the relationship advice! Enjoy your travels but do try to blog!
Hive account@fairytalelife – really glad I got to meet you person. Would have kicked myself if I hadn't. Pity we couldn't chat for longer!
Hive account@heiditravels - slightly surreal experience bumping into you the hotel elevator, although I feel like I'd travelled the world with you already through your blogs!
Hive account@qeysolutions Hive account@cultuurfort – welcome to the platform. Glad you came over and introduced yourselves.
Hive account@ottodv – really good speaking to you and sharing ideas.
Hive account@daniel.errey - I never thought I'd be chatting about Damage at Steemfest. Such a cool dude.
Hive account@rea Hive account@ezzy - I hope we get to see each other again at a London meet-up.
Hive account@allyummyfood - having sampled your truffles, I'm definitely looking forward to tasting more of your food!!
Hive account@timsaid - you're so great to be around, feel like I've known you for years!
Hive account@furion - really looking forward to where you go with SteemSports, I think you're onto a winner there!
Hive account@guerrint - so genuine. Essential Friday night viewing for so long, you're exactly as you come across in your videos!
Not forgetting... Hive account@onceuponatime, Hive account@dan-atstarlite, Hive account@mrs.steemit, Hive account@roadscape, Hive account@anyx, Hive account@ned, Hive account@roelandp, Hive account@ikigai, Hive account@meister, Hive account@opheliafu, Hive account@beanz, Hive account@burning, @(hilarious dude in the rocket chat t-shirt), Hive account@ballinconscious, Hive account@wingz, Hive account@chris4210, Hive account@razvanelul and so many more Steemians I had the pleasure of interacting with and seeing... Also a big shout out to Charlotte at the Volkshotel, for sparing me another night of going head-to-toe with Hive account@ak2020! You’re a legend!

STEEM On!