Getting noticed, gaining traction and gathering momentum. Give it all a try before you give up.

Yes

^{This platform makes it easy to begin producing content that could potentially pay off.}

That doesn't mean it's easy to produce content and make money.

This has never been easy.  I don't see why so many sign up thinking they can now quit their jobs and work online full time.

Steemit, Dtube, everything else running on this blockchain; it's the same as anywhere else.

There are Youtubers out there who have been working hard, consistently producing new content almost daily for five years.  They've yet to earn a dime.

I see people signing up, publishing their first introductory post here, then earning a dime, usually more.  In many cases that post was their first ever attempt at publishing anything online that could potentially earn money.

It's Never Enough

^{For some...}

Set reasonable expectations for yourself.

Please don't feel like a failure for working your butt off for a few weeks, gaining one hundred followers, and earning a few dollars.  That's only called progress.  You're slowly getting somewhere and if you seek a career in producing content in this fashion, you've already got your foot in the door.  One must start somewhere and you're already past that point.  You're doing better than you think.  Keep going if you've not yet reached your destination.

Where you're headed is up to you and nobody else.

If it's not enough; good!  That means you're still hungry.

If it's not enough because you're looking over at so-and-so, noticing they're earning more, then feeling like you're being left out or worse, jealous; not good!

If you published your first book, would you be jealous of Stephen King's accomplishments on release day because you only sold ten copies?  Would you think the publishing platform is broken and working against you because you only sold ten copies?

If you interviewed Joe Blow from Mexico, then uploaded your video to Youtube, would you be jealous of Joe Rogan's interview with Elon Musk getting millions of views while yours only gets one view?  Would you be up in arms and decide to tell anyone who will listen how you think that platform is broken because you only received one view and no money?

People act like that here.

^{All the time.}

What were they expecting?

That negativity is contagious.  Before many have a chance to even think things through and develop a game plan for themselves, they're allowing others to hold them back.

Those feeling defeated would prefer it if others stay down at the bottom with them.  Don't let that infectious attitude get in your way.  This place is not a free lunch and people must work their way up just like everywhere else.

Also, if you're unhappy with the rewards you're receiving, give yourself a raise.  Simply hold on to your tokens until they are worth more.

Some of my older posts with a few dollars beside them are worth ten times more today than they were on payday.  Try to hold off as long as you can, hoard Steem power.  You can hand out more with your vote and earn more curation rewards if you hoard Steem power.  This isn't rocket science and if more of you out there did it, then actually voted for each other instead of wasting your votes on trending posts, your chances of finding success would be much higher.

Thousands of minnows and thousands of minnow posts going without votes tells me one thing.  You're not helping each other.

I see so many complaining and waiting for handouts while the opportunity to move up sits there, waiting for them, staring them directly in the face.

In the end though, the choice is all yours.

This recent hardfork brought out the worst in some people.

^{I'm still unsure about something.}

What did more damage?  The hardfork or the reaction to it?

So many lost minds willing to turn their backs on everything and everyone because of the actions of a few, and those actions weren't even intentional.

Just know not everyone here is so fast to judge, give up, or give in.  If you're one of these new folks or feel like you're struggling; the world didn't end.  Rise above all of that doom and gloom.  To be honest with you, this is a perfect opportunity.  The dust will settle and those left standing come out on top.  Isn't that how life goes?  The happy ending to any good movie?

You're still hungry, right?

Don't allow them to take your food away.

To Conclude

^{I don't really enjoy writing this kind of stuff.}

Some things needed to be said and I could say a whole lot more if I wanted to.

I would like to take a moment to give my friends, fans and following a virtual high five.  For many of us, it has been business as usual as of late.  You're a tough crowd, in a good way; a resilient bunch, and I respect that.

To those of you who may have said a few nasty things or vowed to quit, just know the door is still open, you're still welcome here.  Forgive and forget.  It's time to move on.

Have a faaaantastic day.

Credits: _{All art and images seen here were produced digitally, by me. "Try the secret sauce?"}

^{© 2018 @NoNamesLeftToUse.}