So, you thought real writing was dead here on steemit, huh? Yeah, a lot of people did, but I'll share a little secret at the end of this post that totally proves that ridiculous.
I want to talk about the tag system.
You ready? If you're new, go to the top right corner, click the little square button with three horizontal ridges through it and choose "explore" This brings up a list of categories, based on post tags, that people have used most frequently.
So, I was going to count them all, but then, nope...
Somewhere I am sure there is an article telling us how many tags are on that page, but let's get real, knowing the number is useless information, so, let's move on.
There are hundreds
On the page, you'll see categories on the left, in a list.
There are four pieces of data for each tag listed
- Category (tag)
- The total count of articles in that category (posts)
- A total replies count (comments)
- The total of Steem paid across posts in the category (payouts)
Since posts can have up to 5 tags, the stats are based on the main category for each post. There are no stats for cross posting.
This is where it gets interesting.
If you look at the page, you'll notice, the column headers are clickable. Much like a Windows file registry, you can reorder the data for each category. You can see them by
- Alphabetical order
- Number of posts, most to least
- Number of comments, most to least
- Total payouts most to least
For our purposes, the payouts category is the most important. Click it. You'll notice that life comes to the top, as of this post 1/29/18 it's unlikely to change soon, but if it does, the principles I'm sharing will still work.
The Life category is also tops in another column, number of posts.
These numbers change daily, but, I checked it a few times over a couple of weeks. The order didn't change much. While there has been a LOT of money paid out to "LIFE" posts, there is also a TRUCKTON of content posted there.
TOO MUCH COMPETITION!
It makes a great secondary tag, but I don't suggest it for your primary. Hot and Trending is determined in each category, with those posts going to the list. That's why you'll see high paying to huh? in those lists. Each category sends its best that fit the criteria.
We're looking for a lucrative, but low competition category.
This is just like choosing Google adwords. You need to find a phrase that people are searching for, enough to drive traffic, but without too competition, which drives the price of advertising up. If you've never bought adwords, you're missing out, you should try it.
Forgive me, that's a lie, adwords is the eighth circle of hell, but the analogy holds water.
So, upon further investigation, you'll notice that some of the higher paying categories, have much less competition (post number) Remember, all of you go up in that category, users filter through to choose what to upvote, as do bots and curation trails.
So, what am I pointing to?
Steem, Blog and ART are all solid choices. You're aiming for the hot and trending categories. As long as your piece roughly fits in that tag, it can help you. But, there is one tag, typically further down the list that is the highest paying category, per post, on all of steemit.
If you recall, I promised to share proof that writing on steemit was not dead!
That's right, the writing category pays better than any other!
There you have it. It's an open secret, but no one else is talking about it. Is it a conspiracy, I don't know, but it smells like one. Am I joking, sure, maybe, okay, I'm not. This is b*llshit and we're not going to take it anymore! LOL
Seriously, though, if your post will fit in the writing category, use it! If it won't occasionally write one that will! Getting on the hot and trending lists has HUGE benefits.
- You'll get more votes, guaranteed. This is why bots work!
- You're payout will be higher
- You'll attract new viewers
- Some of them will follow you
- One hot piece of content, can lead to additional votes on several!
Trust me on this last one! I get this comment sometimes. "Thanks for that post, I'm upvoting all your stuff!
So, there you have it! Remember where you heard it. Don't keep it a secret. In fact, one lucky reader who upvotes, resteems and comments on this post, will get some SBD (at least 1 full coin) in their wallet from me!
NOW CHECK OUT THIS GREAT CONTENT!
- Co-author a guest post with a known steemer and split the revenue, for FREE!
- Act like you own the place, things you can do to make steemit better.
- An Amazing Giveaway by my friend
