Payment for posts, likes and comments is a major advantage over existing social networks. The blockchain technology allowed to implement this in practice.
It was the first step. Now we need to take the next step.
Namely, to offer users something new. Why is this so important right now?
The Steemit social network is going to have a constant growing "follower base" if it is user friendly with interesting and diverse content. This is a copied idea but now also offers the users the award for placing their copyright content. Such project as Yours has been intensified. And I'm sure there will be others in the near future.
How to keep a balance using the achievements of other social networks, but not to do a simple copying? On the one hand, to introduce already proven features, such as on Facebook, which users like - private messages, interest groups, etc. and on the other hand, you need to offer something radically new and unique. At the moment, this is payment for activity on social networks. It is the possibility for users to earn as they author and curate.
This feature has been the cause of the explosive growth in the number of users. As we know, the growth occurred after the first major payout. People are drawn to this function and they are happy to be users of this social network which rewards authors without being exposed to annoying ads.
Innovations, but not a competition.
I agree with opinions of Peter Thiel and Blake Masters (the book “Zero to one")
They suggest that you have to go on the path of innovation, rather than competition. In the book, many well-known companies were shown as an example. This path, in fact, is the correct one, because it provides resources for further development.
If we go along the way of competition, it consumes all resources and there won’t be any left for innovation for the company's growth.
What are the next steps then? It is difficult to answer this question, because you need to look at the development trends of social networks in general.
Dan, one of the founders, wrote that the Steemit should be bigger than the social network. Perhaps we should follow the path of creating innovative financial instruments, such as smart contracts. Alternatively, Steemit can be a сover for other services, which are already popular.
Focus on the user.
There is a business analogy, that "personnel decides everything", but for the social network the main thing is its users. The real competitive advantage can not be based only on technical innovations, as any technical solutions can be copied.
Specific steps: where сan you move concretely?
In my opinion, the most important thing is that you must always remember to focus on people's needs and wants. The social network is made by people for people. The technology interests shall not be put higher than the interests of users. This is the focus needed for the further development of steemit to be successful. Please offer your opinions in the comments.
