Welcoming - manually curation introduction since 2017!
The "problem" and the vision - How it all started!
When I came to Steemit around nine months ago, the #introduceyourself section, especially the "trending" and "hot" section there, where full of great introductions - And it seemed as if every user tried his best to make a good one as well.
If you visit the #introduceyourself tag nowadays, you will mainly see the introduction of some services boosted to "trending" or "hot" - not actual intros of real people. And if you try to curate the tag yourself, you will find spam, spam and even more spam.
I think that's sad - I liked the real intros back then. But since just complaining doesn't help anybody, I did something about it!
That is why I have founded the account @welcoming in the beginning of last December - here is a link back to the original introductin of it: Welcome @welcoming, an account for manual #introduceyourself curation!
Since the start in December, @welcoming has resteemed the best introduction posts I found via manual curation on a daily basis. In total, @welcoming has resteemed around 870 manually selected introduction posts since it's founding and voted many more!
Here you can see a quick comparision between the "Trending" section for the tag #introduceyourself and @welcoming 's blog.
So if you are looking for real intros by real people - I guess you all can see where you should look ;)
Better user retention!
Two months ago I made a little analysis over the first 50 resteems I did with @welcoming - more than 50% of the users still have been active after two months. I think this is a great level of user retention - especially compared to the overall level of user retention on here.
But of course, it was not only my resteeming that helped those users to get a better start into the world of STEEM!
Thank you to all supporters!
Even though I am doing most of the actual curation work, @welcoming would by far not be as effective if there wouldn't be some great guys with steempower supporting my projects. Therefore I am pleased to highlight the following people who make it possible that @welcoming is working the way it is!
A special "Thank you!" goes to @transisto who has been supporting @welcoming with a FREE delegation of 12,500 SteemPower for over three months now!!! - I am glad to see that there are still whales who are willing to delegate to projects they think are beneficial for Steem - instead of just delegating to a vote-bot for quick profit. Thx @transisto!
Another big "Thank you!" goes to the witnesses @ausbitbank and @pharesim who have been following @welcoming 's votes with a small % of their own vote (which accumulates to a nice sum with their huge power) and have therefore boosted all votes I made with the service.
Two other whales that have been helping a lot are @acidyo and @teamsteem. @acidyo has been helping out with big votes on most of the resteems from the first day of @welcoming, @teamsteem has been especially helping when it comes down to verificating popular people and giving them huge upvotes after successful verification. Thx to you two!!!
Of course there are more!
Also a big thank you to @juicy-shark, @kevinli, @security101, @sco, @louis88 and a few others who have been supporting my project with delegations, help with the curating process or other stuff. You guys rock!
YOU can help too!
If you can imagine to support this project as well (in any way you think you can/want), please don't hestitate to connect with me via Discord (#0005) or the steem.chat (@theaustrianguy)!
Or you can just help by following @welcoming, checking out some of those great intros and voting + enganging with new users you share interests with.
Additionally, you could vote the comments I write with welcoming where I try to give the new users valuable information. The rewards are use to buy a delegation of 10k SP - so I can upvote even more intros plus give bigger upvotes to the best ones.
Ultimately, a platform friendly for newbies will lead to more new users. And more new users will lead to growth of this platform. And that's what we all want, right?
What is a great intro?!
Some people have asked me over various channels, what makes an intro good enough to be resteemed via @welcoming. While I can't give you a general rule for that (it just depends on to many factors), I can give you some hints on what could be included in a great introduction post.
Information about yourself: This one is obvious - but still many don't: Tell the people who you are, where you come from, what you do, what you love, your passions, etc. People can only feel connected to you if you tell them something about yourself what they can connect with.
Good pictures: You know the saying "A picture can say more than a thousand words!" I can only sign that. A verification picture (a picture holding a paper with your steem name + date) + one or more good pictures of you doing what you love will boost any intro. Of course, you can also show an example of your art, photography, etc.
Why are you here?: One of the most interesting things about new users is how they found out about Steem, what they think about steem and why they joined Steemit. If you don't have a vision about yourself you can describe, how shall others know if that sounds interesting to them.
Use the tag #introduceyourself: If people look for intros, they look there (or hopefully @welcoming) - If your post is not there, way less people will find it!
NO'GOs: begging for upvotes, calls follow-for-follow, referal-links, spam, etc.
If you take some time and create a good intro, it really can be your headstart in the world of STEEM. So don't rush it -> Quality > Speed/Quantity!
And please don't waste my time with ID-theft, plagiarism, etc! I check suspicious intros before voting and resteeming. Thanks to @steemcleaners all the ID-theft introductions I have found (dozens!) have been flagged to 0. So please don't even try ;)
Thank you all for reading. If you have additional ideas, critique or anything else you want to tell me, please feel encouraged to comment :)
Greets,
Martin
P.S.: For all german users - You can check the account @neuvorstellungen - A lot of german introduction posts get resteemed there!
I miss those introduceyourself post, it was like a culture inside of steem community
Its still a culture though, the comments i got on mine was so encouraging.
very true @georgeetukudo the culture is still very much there i got a few nice posts on my #introduceyourself
It all comes from the massification... The more people getting in, the less effort in each introduction... it's bad, but I expect more of that to happen as STEEM gets more mainstream.
I don't quite get why an individual would post an introduction with less effort when there are more "competitors" - I thougt it would work exactly the opposite way. :D
People who get here first are usually the smartest... the unwashed masses bring the low effort people by the bucketloads, the majority of the mainstream public is way more lazy than those here.
i nee to enhance my career on steemit please tell me how to introduce myself on the steem!!!
Did you read my post? ;)
i mean to say i was tried to introduce my self on steemit with picture but not published yet i tried many times but still have this problem
spam! DONT POST THAT!
I think every day on steemit, you gain a new experience either from bots or from people.
You're right :)
Always glad to see people upvoting themselves with 100% while upvoting the post with 5%!
i agree
New users need to be well treated for sure.
You are showing them exactly how to do that by upvoting your comment with 100% while not doing that with the original post! Way to go ;)
Hello @theaustrianguy I must say that I really love your project. You are indeed a selfless steemian who supports the community with a pure heart.
After reading this update by you, a thought came rushing into my mind but I can't comprehend if it's going to be accepted by the community or considered to be a spam. The thing is that although I've been in steemit for about 3-months now, but haven't properly introduced myself with the criteria/features you stated above, which I'm convinced is necessary to build a unique audience/follower. So I was thinking of doing an introductory post with the above criteria stated by you but can't decide if it's right or wrong. Please I need your advice as I don't want to do what is unacceptable in the ♨️ community.
I made a second introduction post past 3 months as well, since my first was a bit lackluster and nobody opposed it.
It was well received.
Just don't do it for the sake of doing it and you're fine.
That's good
Thank you ;)
I don't think anyone will have a problem if you post a second introduction after three months - Especially when you are not copying the old one but rather are making a new one with further information. So take your time and make a great one - good luck ;)
Kk thx theaustrianguy for your kind reply, at least now that I'm given a go ahead I'll start working on my next introductory post. Kindest regards sir, keep up the good work🙂👍.
so you can improve it later
The only thing is, from what I have understood and read.. That we should only post 1 time in the introduceyourself tag.. But other than that, we are free to make eternal and indefinate introduction posts in all other tags... I am going to do the same thing Edy... Post 1 time in introd... tag as nr1 tag.. You know, you can give a post 5 tags, the 1st one is the tag it will be catogarized under and appear under when people browse the site / blockchain (rofl) .. :DD
good advice, you can give your Intro posts a version, thats what im gonna do. Like v. 1.0 , then 1.1 , 1.2 and so on... then it is also a way that we can follow our developments on the site and personally with our lives!
pret.t.y. cool :)
Wow so amazing blog seriously it's needful
This comment has received a 0.30 % upvote from @booster thanks to: @jannat.
Many thanks for the great project! I'm glad it's so well accepted. Thanks also for letting me create some graphic elements for this great project. Let's make #introduceyourself great again! Is a great and strong statement to describe the project. The @transisto delegation is a very good example of how great the project is and how I think it should be further promoted so that @welcoming promotes even more good content in the future.
Thank you for your great work @theaustrianguy
This post has received a 25.00 % upvote from @sharkbank thanks to: @justinashby.
First of all thank you for doing this great work...
When I did my introduceyourself post in the end of January I was very surprised and glad that so many people interacted with me and so many people voted for me. It was a kind of motivation!
Even if the salary of the next posts wasn't that much, I'm sure that this friendly and warm welcome made my a little bit steemit-addicted from the first day on 🤗
Today I realized that's not the salary what Steemit is about. But I thin k many people need a few days to realize this. So I think it ist much more important to support new steemians - especially when they are doing their homework from the first second at Steemit by presenting a unique and interesting introduceyourself...
I absolutely support your work!
P.S.: just a little annotation: I nearly skipped your P.S. 😂 Maybe you can write this information a little bit more present?
Thats good
thank you. but what do you mean exactly?
Maybe creating an account named Wilkomin or something "sorry for the lousy german,.
introduction posts were used to be an encouragement for the newbies who have started to use steemit but now things are different now introduce yourself has become a sort dishearten because now in trending you don't see them alot. so this is the very first step a person loose his hope. but i am very happy to acknowledge that you have been working on this process and you are making it easy for people to join. community work at its best
@theaustrianguy, I really love this project and initiative! In my opinnion, the introduce yourself section is a really cool part of Steemit, and helps to connect us - a community of strangers.
I also really like the statistic you posted about the number of users still active out of the first 50 you resteemed. That is fantastic! This is a really positive reinforcement to motivate people to stay active in the Steemit community, and to keep writing!
I'll definitely be following, and resteemed this so any followers can read, but what's even cooler is that I was browsing posts for inspiration on what to write about today. Even though I set up my account a while ago, I am fairly new to posting on Steemit, and I never wrote an #introduceyourself post. Needless to say, that's what I'll be writing tonight! :D
Thank you for the kind words man :) I will take my dog for a walk now and then look for intros again - is yours up yet?
Good post. I still havent introduced myself, despite being here for a few months now.
This is the kick in the behind I need *O:
Even I have to do this exercise to begin with can you give cetain tips
Thanks to you for providing this great service and for pointing fresh science lovers to de-stem/steemstem.
This is awesome ! I still didnt had the chance to make an introduceyourself post, so i might consider it next week :) !
wow! Congrats! Awesome to see @transito supporting such an awesome cause!
Thx Karen ;) Yeah, having the support from people with a lot of SP is definitely really helpful if you have a project but not that much SP - So @transisto 's support is of course incredibely helpful!
I think it’s marvelous that you recognized a problem with the #introduceyourself tag and decided to do something about it. If we each take a little bit of the initiative to improve steemit, it can easily be a top social media platform someday.
Like you pointed out, retention stats improved have improved just from your part in making @welcoming . Kudos to you my friend! We are all a family here and shouldn’t be shy in helping each other out.
Whales are always watching for minnows that want to make an impact on this platform! It shows that if you have a good idea/content on steemit, the whales will support and encourage you!
Enjoyed the post @theaustrianguy !
a huge Thank You to @theaustrianguy for keeping Steemit more attraktiv and usefull.
it is in our interest to keep this platform clean and popular. Of course, earning money is important, and ultimately, I want to achieve that, but first and foremost, serving before earning is important. That's why you strive for the best content and then the money follows automatically. And above all give the authors the necessary respect in which you leave a good comment. I always believe in the good in people. Let us prove it to all.
Greetings from the carribean. mikeCee
When i did my inroductory post,i got just.00.80 . Almost nothing. Dont know why cos i wrote best thing. Its been so long now. First week of jan. this year. U can check if u wish
Thats not why i'm here . Im here to learn so i like commenting on people posts even though people dont read mine. Maybe im not lucky enough
It can be hard to get started man, I totally understand how it feels. To be honest, $0.80 is not that bad for a first post! Sometimes I get literally nothing haha!
Yes i have done many posts that brings nothing and i still did write on and on
Maybe you should focus on a little bit longer posts (no colorchallenges, etc.) and try to not use pictures you are not allowed to (you can use most pics from pixabay.com for example).
Ok i'll try that. Thanks so much
dont worry, just follow my account and we will help each other with upvotes and resteems and all we can do to get more views and earnings in HEEEREEE!!
I will follow all that follow me.. its hard to build up in here!
depends how your life is.. some people are travelling around with their cameras in perfect order to make great Foto blogging, others barely have time to sit down and have some time online.. others again have their laptop melt down after 1 week on steemit... life is a byte tough!
Thanks much. Have you done your introductory post?
Thats not the idea of steemit ;)
Nice.. I wish I knew this when I posted my intro post. Very nice and helpful post sir.
The work ain't easy but you are doing your best to support the newest bie. Good job, hearing of @welcoming for the first time. I got some friends introduced to steemit, I hope they get lucky. Well done
Hmmmmm its amazing too see how much effort you and the team are putting in place to make here sweeter for us and the incoming Steemians. Wow.. More grease to your elbow. Thanks so much
Ahh nice to know now i can teach my friends on there introduction some of them have not started yet.
what an initiative and support for new comers which is very helpful and shows what a true community should be like. you doing great. will keep in touch so once i have spare sp, will do the needful
thanks for sharing and helping out
Thank you @theaustrianguy i am from austria too and i also take a look to the #introduceyourself tag every some time. Nice articles that i think deserve an upvote, get it from me, but i also report spammers who use the introduceyourself tag for shit post with 1 video not introducing themself to steemcleaners, because i hate it when the tags are spammed with shit posts on memes or advertising.
Awesome initiative @theaustrianguy. I'm a new member here on steemit and was willing to not bother about my #introduceyourself post. But I think I have had a change of heart already all because of you. Making a killer introductory post is really a good way to get started on this platform and you gave succinct hints on how to go about it. Thanks a lot man!
This is a great initiative to support the newbies on steemit. Thank you @theaustrianguy in helping the new steemians. Keep steeming and inspiring!
I'm a little too newbie to recall those days of the #introduceyourself greatness. I hope following you and @welcoming will be a breath of fresh air to introduce myself to other newbie and experienced Steemians. Happy trails!
Wirklich großartige Arbeit, die du mit deinen Accounts hier auf Steemit leistest und dafür sorgst, dass die Community zusammenfindet und neue Leute gepusht werden!
Thank you for your work. I try to greet new people too in french community.
You gave me a great idea! Do the same as you or @neuvorstellungen but with the francophone community. Thank you!
I hope more people read this post..too much spam nowadays.. :(
Thank you for this recommendation 😍
Sometimes they use the #introduceyourself to add information they didnt include in their first post I think. I will be posting my #intorduceyourself to let others know my hobbies so that I can connect to those who have the same interest as mine ♥
Thank you @welcoming @theaustrianguy ♥ 😍
This project of yours will really be a great of the community.
Thanks for this
I'm gonna pass this on to my new steemian friends that I've invited to the platform. Shoutout for the guidance @theaustrianguy..
It's awesome this project is doing so well. I hope it will continue to grow and have high retention rates.
Waw...What a great way to grow reputation for new steemians....
Good boy, good initiative, good post - great approach. Supported obviously!
Great work. I think it is really good to introduce yourself in the proper way that will make the steemit community to receive you and welcome you well. I recently join this great community about 3days ago and I am so happy that I finally took that bold step to join. When I wrote my introduceyourself post, I was so happy that people were welcoming me to this great community. The kind of support this community have for new steemians will go along way to help us grow. Great post once again.
Amazing work! I wish I knew about it when I've started.
I also like to read the introduction posts, but as you said, the tag became a bit messy.
I'll follow you and give my best to upvote and encourage the new users!
@theaustrianguy good observation, especially the action taken, decisions like this is what makes steemit great.
I have not written an introduction article yet. Guess its time @welcoming
Hello there @theaustrianguy.
I didn't know about this project until now, will definitely talk to you on Discord as I already have a good idea for it.
See you there!
Awesome. I love that Steemit is about community. And that so many people are trying to improve the community. I get confused with all the things that I should do or could do. My #introduceyourself post must be my worst post thus far. And it would be good to improve it somehow.
But in the meantime, I'll just keep plugging away. And learn as I go along. Thank you for a great initiative.
@reonlouw
I have to thank the Steemit community as a whole! I started two weeks ago with a #indroduceyourself post and everyone was sooo welcoming! I had heard great things about this platform and all of those positive whispers I had been hearing for the past six months were spot on!
I am all for a section that people can reach out and begin to connect with people! :)
Thank you all that welcomed me with such open arms! I really appreciate it! :) Can't wait to meet more established Steemers as well as some new ones!
This is such an amazing gift that you are giving to promising new users! You totally welcomed both my brother and sister who joined recently and I am so grateful that you made them feel welcomed on their first posts! ♥️
I can highlight the other side of introduceyourself posts. I am a newbie here. I read that introducing posts are very important, so I spent hours with writing a (more or less) good introduction post. But people create many introduceyourself posts and mine was almost unvisible at the new tab in a short time.
Of course, it didn't retain me from creating new posts.
But I still have a problem here. It is really hard to find valuable articles. Yours is very detailed and informative and I am happy to find it. But I usually click on a post that is only two or three lines without any additional meaning. Do you have any idea how can I find valuable content? Is there a tag for it or something?
By the way thanks for creating the welcoming section.
You just should keep an eye open, follow authors you like, etc. ;)
Yes, it will work, but now I am discovering. :)
Thank you for all you're doing, @theaustrianguy! Your @welcoming on my intro post set the tone for everything good that was to come on Steemit. I appreciated it then and I appreciate that you're continuing to help introduce serious users! :)
This is a great program. May I have some free time to find some introductions, especially from Indonesia. I support this program. Because I think this is an action to post introduction is much more pro.
This was an awesome article! One of the best ones I read this week! That's why I decided to mention this article in my Top 3 Steemit Articles Of The Week-post!
Congratulations on your award :)! If you want, you can contact me, and I'll buy you a cookie someday!
PS. I love this project! As I said in my post: "These kinds of projects are something we need to support in order to grow the community of Steemit!" Keep up the great work man :)!
-Crypto Kid