The other day I started working on this post and then it dropped off of my radar as a few other thoughts got between, namely this one talking about investing into Steem and some behaviours within the community.
I am returning to it now because of a comment from 
The basic idea though is to increase onboarding of quality users by throwing a party or two (get togethers) for some friends and introduce them to Steemit. This actually has a lot of challenges involved with it so this post is a draft post to develop some ideas upon that can help with the process.
The main issue I see in onboarding this way is that it looks eerily familiar to multi-level marketing - Talk about Ponzi schemes and quite frankly, screw that. My way around this is of course, I am not going to do this with anyone I am not actual friends with that I have to convince to trust me first. These people will already trust me through our level of friendship.
Let's bullet point a little in this post to cover ground quickly.
- Who to invite?
Well, potentially anyone but remember that this isn't a charity service filled with magical money that appears out of thin air. Umm, kinda. But, the people I would aim for are those willing to invest in the platform long-term, not just those interested in cashing-out.
For example, I was telling a friend the other day about it and she has an 8 year old daughter and she puts a little away in a bank account for her each month. What if to diversify, she bought 10% in Steem instead? Compared to a bank account, the return will be better and the potential upside is massive considering her daughter won't get access to the bank account until she is 18. Steem price in 10 years?
- Is it a Ponzi scheme?
Well, what isn't these days considering the value of the content we post on other social medias goes up the chain of hands until a few people hold it all. Facebookonnneeeect! Steemit is not a Ponzi scheme and if it is, it is a terrible one as it distributes value to users without having to ever buy in as an individual. Of course, for the most part, those that do buy in (either purchasing Steem or earning and powering up) will get a higher return. If anything, it is more reverse-Ponzi for newcomers. the buy-in is to be part of the community.
A large part of the future success of people onboarded is the support they get from the person/people who onboarded them. This is not a numbers game alone where it is the more the better if no one buys-in so, if you are unable or unwilling to support the community/friends you onboard, should you be onboarding them at all? Or perhaps you expect other people in the community to support them?
- Approaching them?
Well, they are your friends, colleagues and acquaintances. If you are uncomfortable talking to them, don't do it. If you are trying to cold call them without a prior relationship, don't do it. If you do not know what they are like as people, don't do it.
For the non-technical who may be active on other medias, where is the cost for them to add one more string to their social bow? Sure, they may not get a lot of traction acting in the same way but, you are going to guide them, right?
Artists? This an artists paradise as they can do what they do and with relatively low investment in additional time, get exposure and the possibility of earning a little on each piece as they complete them. Half the curation projects look at artists often.
The technical? Much like the Go people, this is a programmers wet dream to be able to affect a massive project in the volatile development years. A half-decent coder can get near instant support from Utopian if their ideas and programs are useful for the platform. Plus, they must be interested in Blockchain tech by now, right? What IRL possibilities lay in wait for blockchain experts? They can be made here.
- The Steem?
This is where it gets tricky as introducing the concept of it is difficult considering the Mass Media have FUD'd the FUD out of BTC recently, at the behest of the banking industry. It also doesn't help that there is a lot of promise and vapor wear when it comes to services to ease usage as well as some large scam cases.
However, this is also why long-term investor types and those willing to investigate and think about the platform are perfect. I am lucky as I live in a country where there are still some jobs and all of my friends hold one. This means that given the opportunity, they may even invest a little from fiat but, I would not recommend them starting there.
If you don't have enough Steem Power to support them or know anyone who will, be wary onboarding and making promises about returns. Be wary even mentioning the returns.
- Let them see and play
The main idea about the parties is to let them see and play a little with support from an experienced user. Say I have 5 friends over for a coffee and a laptop or two set up. I can let them browse around, read and even upvote if they want.
I was thinking about setting up an account just for this that I could delegate to as needed and undelegate when not being used, if needed. That way, they can have a feel for how the platform operates. Since I have invested back into the platform, this is a possibility for me and many others in a similar position.
I would use 
- The future
As more and more people come onto the platform, the price of Steem goes up but, it also makes Steem harder to earn through the platform and more expensive to buy off it. This is great for me since I hold a comparatively significant amount already but those who have sold and those coming in will struggle.
This is why I support those I bring in, even if it is not a huge amount for each. I am not planning on bringing in hundreds this way, maybe a few dozen in time and as I grow as I cannot personally handle too many and still do what I want with others on the platform. But, if everyone brings in one extra real person who is willing to put in effort and/or capital, this platform doubles in size overnight. If it does that, you are going to want to hold some Steem.
If however, you are selling Steemit as a revenue stream that will solve their financial woes and makes their lives easier, be careful as it is unlikely to do that for many people in the short-term, that is a mid-long-term goal but requires work to get there.
The beauty of this platform in many respects is the work aspect and patience required for return as it means that people must invest themselves in a number of ways. The other beauty is if they do invest, they will also improve themselves in many ways and open up the chance to massive amounts of possibility in the future.
- Additional thoughts
I have talked before about how I may feel if this really does take off what about all of the friends I didn't tell? What if some of them are talents and willing to invest, sell, create, develop, produce... What if some of them are the types that can take the opportunity and run much for afield than any of us? I can name a few that have that potential now that aren't here.
In my opinion, Steemit, Steem and all types of blockchain have the chance to fundamentally change the way we operate in our day to day lives and more importantly, how me manage our money and funding. The more the merrier but I am hoping that the first ones in are people that want to see large scale global change happen, not just line their pockets with free money. That means that who we invite is going to shape what this place becomes and if we want it to be a community of giving, we need to have people willing. Who better to choose who the first people on are than us?
As responses come with additional points and considerations, I will start working on another post with more concrete guidelines.
Taraz
[ a Steemit original ]
Note: The photo is from my 30th almost 9 years ago but don't be alarmed, I no longer have a beard but otherwise, identical. Drunken pictures on the blockchain.... invested. :P