I have been active in steemit chat and on twitter recently and am seeing many new people joining steemit so this post is for you. I am not one to give advice often but I think some of these suggestion and concepts may come in handy.
Due diligence
First off do your own due diligence and look information up and try to answer your own questions first. Lots of people who join want to treat other people on steem like its their job to teach noobs. Many of us dont mind helping but we know the difference between someone who has a question and someone who wants us to answer all their questions. you come off as lazy to me if you dont take practical first steps like reading the white paper/blue paper and checking into the information first.
High Expectations
Another common mistake is thinking you are going to make a post and its going to be so awesome that people are just going to upvote it like crazy, but when that doesnt happen they get very bitter like the system is broken because they think their post is worth so much more than others. It takes time to grow a following and it takes effort. Treat steem as a long term investment and build it, dont expect to make money instantly and pay your bills with it. Think 2 years down the line and invest in steem and steemit and power up your account so your vote is worth more and you can help others.
Its social!
Steemit is a "social" network that means you have to be social, its not all about you. Look at other blogs and read and comment and put some effort into getting noticed. Try going in steemit chat or discord and having some conversations or even on twitter. When I first got to steemit I went in chat for a week and talked to people about just general things. Then when I joined I commented on posts for a week and then I finally made my first post. In order for people to really notice your posts you have to gain followers, leaving good comments is one of the keys to getting people to follow you and check out your work.
Patience
Be prepared to have patience! make up your mind from the start you are going to be patient. Know that many of your posts may not even get a response or an upvote, thats just the way it is. If you are looking for instant success you are looking in the wrong place. You slowly but surely will start to gather followers who like your content and your social network will grow. Be ready to put the work in and dont expect instant rewards.
Dont whine
No one likes a complainer! Its such a bore to hear noobs complain about a site they have been on for a week. If you joined a social network then complain it rubs people the wrong way and makes you look foolish for not knowing what you were getting into. I think facebook is stupid, hence I am not there complaining about it. If you want to whine and complain please just leave and spare us your nonsense.