I think that the opportunity to earn is the main differentiator of this platform right now. Personally, the transparency and permanency of the Steem Blockchain is something that is more useful from a technological perspective to me, but I think that I'd be right in saying that the overwhelming majority of people joined this platform because of the ability to earn for your contribution to social media. Now, although that happens to a degree, due to the HIGHLY subjective nature of valuing someone's contribution to the system and the fact that it is your wealthy peers who decide who is part of the 'high earnings club', or even who will get a vote at all on their posts (some stingy whales out there, it seems, although I can't be the one to decide alone if that is good or bad - it takes a community), a lot of people don't get much. Now some is better than none of course, but you're not going to be able to sell them on joining this if they are getting so little for joining in the conversation.
Facebook has a lot of horrible things wrong with it, including the fact that you don't get paid for your contributions. That said, they are SOOOOO much better technically as a product; they run smoother, they have more features, etc. They are a more attractive user interface. Those building on this community with products like DLive, DTube, etc. are hugely helpful because they are bringing us more features and more reason for people to stay OUTSIDE of the potential to earn wealth. In order for Steemit to truly compete as a platform, it needs to be feature-rich and it needs to attract those users who couldn't care less about whether or not Facebook is using their data, they couldn't care less about censorship, etc. Steemit needs to attract the average person if it ever is to become the number one social media platform in the world. I think that it can DEFINITELY be the World's NUMBER ONE Social Media Platform, but we have a lot of road to walk to get there and we need to attract more and more users. Features, Decentralized Apps built atop the Steem Blockchain, SMTs and the repercussions associated, communities, etc. are all amazing for getting us to where we need to be. But, we also need to spread the wealth to a degree!
This is one of the most powerful mechanisms to spread wealth and happiness to the world that I have seen in an extremely long time and I cherish the fact that I'm part of it. Having the modest amount of Steem Power that I have makes me feel a sense of responsibility, since I know that that wealth gets spread at my discretion. I want to attract people to the platform. I want people to know that their engagement (true, meaningful engagement) is worth something. They enrich my posts with their interactions; they add to the value of my content by being part of the conversation. My vote means something and my say means something on this platform. It means something very real and I think that the people who join me in my experience on here deserve recognition! If that can be some provided wealth that is generated through the value of the entire system, then I love providing it!
It isn't like it isn't scalable. The only variable thing with scaling is that the more comments I get on a post, the smaller my upvotes will be worth, because I will work to choose a consistent percentage upvote to use on people so that I can keep the distribution generally even (with a small bonus for those who arrive first, as they are showing they are big fans of my work! I also may upvote those whose engagement is above and beyond and really brings some meaningful value to the discussion). Upvoting those who engage in discussion with you will transform this platform and will lead us to a future where Steemit IS the number one Social Media platform in the world. The more we truly integrate PEOPLE into the Steem Economy, the more strength that economy has. Think about the future every time you make a decision on what to upvote. Will your upvote create a chain reaction that will lead more and more to this platform and make Steem hit the mainstream? If so, it makes sense to do it, because it will make you more money in the long run as the Steem Economy Booms. Spend $5 in money created by the system today for your money to be worth 20X (or 50X) what it currently is worth one day. Bring people to Steemit. Enrich the community. Upvote meaningful contribution. :)
This is a great idea for expanding the community. And I strongly believe if efforts like this are made by people on steemit, soon it will be on top.
I salute you dear sir @biddle because of your great thoughts You are really doing a great job I hope with the hard work of you and other think like you this community willl one of the best in feature Thanks for sharing your great thoughts
No doubt steemit is one the best social media and is grow up quicklt day by day hope it will reach on topfrom all social media
I agree, comments are important aspect of an article because comments add different perspectives to a topic.
It make us think differently and see it through another angle.
Comments also fills up missing pieces and completes an article.
Steemit needs more quality contributors in terms of blogging and commenting. Don't you agree?
That's appreciated task you doing to growing steemit community. Actually interesting to read letter you upload there. Yes...we all try to promote steemit. You every time support to followers I've seen.
We only grow together, i give out my upvotes like crazy. They arent worth much of anything, but it adds up!
The only way for Steemit to do what it was made to is for everyone to operate as you have and as you have stated. I cringe as I see post everyday that deserve ten if not twenty times the rewards they've curated and I do what I can but as you've said, its not enough.
It honestly seems like many whales are taking advantage of boosting and delegation for personal gain with little interest in helping people 'out of the know'. And I can't even blame them because I've given up trying to help people get into crypto or anything related to it. I tell them what I've done and how much I've made on the markets their eyes sparkle but at the end of the day, they want me to walk them through it and they eventually realize, I'm not gonna hold their hand through it because no one held mine. The analytical problem-solving autodidactic self-starters are the ones who thrive and I'm sure 90% of the whales on this platform fit that demographic. This same demographic is usually the least empathetic to the needy unmotivated layman.
So, in essence, you have to convince the abstract free-thinkers to pacify the layman through nice seamless features and the like when its Steemits's simple, minimalist and almost complicated economy that keeps the site's quality of content higher by filtering those who simply have nothing to provide or no will to understand something more complicated than just a feed and IM.
Well said and thank you for the support! I think that some of the coming features will help to do what needs to be done; hopefully anyway! :)
Ojala mas publicaciones en Steemit, sean como esta que contribuyan a la comunidad...Saludos!!
Gracias por tu apoyo! :)
First of all i really want to appreciate you for the efforts you are putting for the encouragement of other Steemians and i really like what you have said means "you feel the responsibility". I spent 139 days on Steemit, i can proudly say that i am true Steemian who want to see growth of this Platform, in my opinion only producing quality content is not enough, i understood this at my initial stages, where i was putting my 200% to create valuable content but i have not able to receive much recognition, then i went to reconciliation to know what is going wrong, then i thought that my profile is minnow and i don't have followers and followers will not be fall into your profile in one day, then i come up with an plan to post two valuable posts everyday and then commenting valuable comments on the posts of genuine authors if we have genuine and healthy conversation then you can build your followership, and in my opinion Steemit is not for shortcut, you have to put your efforts, because freedom is not for free, you have to break the shackles and then you can be free. Thanks for sharing and wishing you an great day. Stay blessed. 🙂
Very well said! Steem on, my friend! :)
Thank you so much. 🙂
Steemit is definitely going to take that Number 1 spot some day. And steemit will grow faster having more kind people like you encouraging the minnows. Despite earning few cent, I am less worried cos i believe it will get better someday.
I am still doing my part to bring people into Steemit. I will continue doing that cos that the only way to give back to the community
You have really branched out into a wonderful moderator now. With all your projects and ideas you have become an inspiration. Keep up the great work my friend @biddle . I'm starting to make more blog post. I have alot of ideas I want to start sharing.
I rarely open my facebook account because I can't get a single penny by browsing and scrolling down that website all day. I tried to invite some of my friends from facebook but it seems their minds are a lock inside their facebook account.
i respect your approach and take an oath to completely contribute in your future efforts @biddle
I agree facebook is a horrible platform at one time it was great. But now a days it's pointless to use facebook. Steemit is a better community less drama and has a lot more valueabl e content and as far as comments go this is true the more the comments the better not only does comments help a individuals grow it supports them and gives encouragement.
I'm proudly salute you because you every time try to provide steemit and steemians. I have never seen you flagged someone. Every steemians try to develop this platform. We have received more benefits from here.
FB used to be great many years ago but it's becoming worse now. I remember how community driven FB was when it first started man those were the good old days good to see new platforms like Steemit trying something different. Steemit might not be perfect now it will take time but at the end this could end up being a masterpiece which I'm confident it has very good potential we just need to work together.
Just up vote my comments
I would like to thank you beacause you bring every time special info front us . That one i had no knowledge . You want steemit grow for this you are growing people .
I Want to salute you sir
That's really generous of you. Most people on steem try to grab a large chunk of money by being greedy. That's so selfless words. You really are helping this steem community grow.
Greetings @biddle! Your post was chosen at random and was resteemed as part of Shareables' campaign. Enjoy your free resteem!
@Shareables, we resteem anything we find shareable. That means good quality content. Go on express and harness your blogging potential!
God bless from us @Shareables!