There is a LOT to say about this new platform/opportunity, and I am excited to be able to write posts about it in the upcoming days to help as many people as possible upgrade their online AND offline experience!
I want to discuss in-depth what makes Steemit so much different than other online platforms and why it is SO MUCH BETTER, too. Because I am a realist and constantly dedicated to improvement, I also want to discuss the upgrades I see that would be valuable for the Steemit platform/community. However, I will save these for another upcoming post and get down to the basics of HOW TO USE STEEMIT for improving all of our lives!
#1 To get the most out of Steemit, you must have an account.
Thankfully, this is very easy and FREE. It's even easier to make an account on Steemit than it is on Facebook (which you likely have already done), so you already have what it takes!
An account on Steemit is freer and more secure than an account on Facebook or Reddit, so there is nothing to worry about there either.
With that being said...
#2 which is VERY important: when you create this account, diligently pay attention to the 30-character password phase of the account.
Because of security (as this is not JUST a social media platform, it is an ONLINE BANK that stores YOUR $$$), your password is very important. Thus, you are only allowed to use complicated, randomly generated passwords--and you CANNOT recover your password. If you lose it, you LOSE YOUR ACCOUNT!
So yes, this could be very disappointing, but it’s also simply one of the ways Steemit sets higher standards of reward and accountability. So let’s be conscious, responsible, and GRATEFUL for the opportunity!
So when you are setting up your account the EASIEST way to do the password is COPY AND PASTE the generated password into your “set password” box, as the password is difficult and time-consuming to type. Also, BEFORE you create the account, make sure to write down this password (or, do what I do--simply take a screen shot). Then, it’s up to you to decide if you want to “save the password” in your computer. The plus side is that you do NOT have to keep entering the password every time you want to use the account, so that’s what I do. The downside is that anyone with access to your computer can use the account of course…Although again, these are simply opportunities for responsibility!
#3 Explore!
Once you have an account, you can begin to benefit from Steemit! Now this is a VERY NEW platform still in “beta”, so in comparison to say Facebook it is very primitive and rudimentary. It is not easy to use, nor does it have the many streamlined options that FB has. However, it is WAY more customizable for articles and has WAY more benefits that Fascistbook does NOT have. It is also free from the MANY limitations and downfalls of Fascistbook (especially for someone like me).
Everything new can seem more difficult, as there is a learning curve; change is always at least kinda hard (even when its an UPGRADE).
There are LOTS of posts on Steemit already about "how to use Steemit", "what is Steemit", "how to make it better", etc., etc. It is worthwhile to begin exploring and searching for posts based on key words for your interests.
#4 UPvoting
Now, I want to mention “UPvoting”--which is basically “liking” a post. Obviously, "UPvote/like" any post that you feel is valuable. It is important to "UPvote" any & every post you find valuable, as this is the ONLY way people who create and share this content get compensated. It is the UPvoting that generates the value of the post as well as the trending status of the post (meaning the more Upvotes, the more it shows up to other Steemit accounts). The MORE UPvotes, the more value that post gets. (The mathematics as to how this works and the cryptocurrency payout details are fairly complicated, but that is the simple truth. There are many layers to UPvoting: users with more “Steem Power” can add more value by UPvoting a post than users with little to no “Steem Power”. I will go into detail of the more intricate truth in a later post.)
Now because this is a much different platform than what you are used to and it is not as easy to use and you don’t have all the friends that you do on other platforms, you may not want to use it much in the beginning--that’s fine. Just use this account to read my posts and any other posts by people on your regular platforms. This will still support me, this community, and this new STANDARD.
Even though it IS possible for you to make money by posting, liking, and commenting, it is not necessary to make that a priority. You can simply use the account to support the people you know who are contributing valuable content, whenever it is convenient. Then, as this platform and community grow/evolve and you become more used to it, you can interface more and more. You will still be doing your part to support people you believe in and to support a new economy/platform with new standards.
There is no need to abolish, shun, or disown any other community or platform. Rather, let us utilize EVERYTHING available to us, to help as many people as possible and provide as much value to the world as we can!
Hahaha Fascistbook... good one
HAHAHAHA yea!
Thanks! Did you check out my other post?? Its even more entertaining I feel!
https://steemit.com/revolution/@quinneaker/why-steemit-is-so-important-and-even-revolutionary
I hadn't but I will now :)
How did you like it?
It was good, I like how interactive you get with pictures in your posts, it adds to the experience for sure
Totally LOVE the FascistBook comment. Keeping it real!
Quinn, I love what you are doing in the world. Might be good to research a bit how people get those rare, big, crazy payouts on Steemit. There was a good article yesterday on the role of the "whales"...
https://steemit.com/steemit/@crypt0/steemit-whales-dolphins-and-minnows-the-importance-of-steem-power-on-steemit
Yes I have done some research and while there are MANY articles on it there is no real formula and there are MANY factors. Ultimately if one keeps curating good content then it is likely to get some good payouts. However the REAL influence are the Whales as they call em. One vote from a Whale equals more than a hundred minnows....Its kina shitty and unfair in a way but really its awesome and in the end will be part of why this platform is so successful. In life you never get anything for nothing.
Well, it SEEMS unfair...at first. But you're right, it's part of what makes this platform successful. If it were the other way around--where minnows had all the voting power, everyone was a minnow, and content went viral, maybe that would be fine from the outset. But it would not be sustainable. The money would run out and the site would have to rely on external revenue (advertising, fees, etc.) There would be little incentive for users to reinvest Steem Dollars into the system if they could just cash out from a good story. Investing into Steem Power gives users incentive to keep some money in the system because it not only gives them huge voting power, (which is reward in itself if the story goes viral because the curator can earn on its success as well) but it also generates a very healthy interest. It's friggin' genius.
"So let’s be conscious, responsible, and GRATEFUL for the opportunity!" YES!!! This is a standard for you in everything you are a part of. You alchemize even the seemingly most horrific situations into powerful opportunities. Soooo---this already being a beneficial opportunity, access to the golden nuggets are at our fingertips. I'm not a techy in anyway, so your simple guidance is of great assistance to me in navigating this platform. I will continue to tune into your posts as your clear, concise and honorable communication is of great value. Your ability to research and simplify things will help many so I will share Steemit and your posts. Steemit feels like a truly fortuitous opportunity. Thank you for shining the light where the light needs to be shined!
Thanks, Quinn! Nice overview of how to get started on this new platform. There's so much potential here!!
Yes indeed there is!
Excited to explore and fine tune it with you!
Most excellent of breakdowns on this new social reality. Many thanks for slicing it up to size for me and many others. To the future!
Yes Indeed!
I hope to be able to help and inspire many people in the years to come and starting with USING Steemit is a great place to start!
It seems a little freaky at first but clicking around the Steemit site and getting acquainted with it, your simple instructions and even pointing out why I want to do this creates a platform of confidence and ease. Very grateful for your guidance and perspective.
Your welcome!
Thanks for giving it a go! As I said everything new can be difficult but this is an investment WORTH IT!
Blessings on the way~*~
I really appreciate the fact that you mentioned that there is no need to put down other communities or platforms. I think its really important to understand that yes this is a new and exciting way to MAKE SOME MONEY but this also a way to understand what it means to BUILD A COMMUNITY! Everyone working together to support each other. That's a wonderful gift and really sets the tone for our evolution and our pockets :-)
Exactly~
IF something is truly better to everyone that that which is obsolete will naturally fade away. Otherwise we should use whatever we enjoy and that may wind up being different for different people. So rather than judging, or comparing or competing we can simply contribute value and support what has value to each of us as individuals~*~
I'm not sure how to do this but I will figure it out somehow
Awesome!
good to see you here, quinn.
Great to be here Brother!
I am very excited about the possibilities and grateful to be getting started with you. This is an abundant future me thinks!
I am not really understanding how to upvote for yall
It's the circle next to the $0.0
Sweet, thanks for this intro! This platform is really exciting--super intricate, but exciting! I appreciate this overview and look forward to jumping in!
Yes it is. We are the power. Lets use it!
Welcome! Thank you for bringing your passion and clarity to this platform and post.
I would like to request a post from you regarding Steam account verification. Please.
Ok will do!
Thanks Quinn for introducing your followers to this platform. It appears to have great potential.
Thanks for the newbie tutorial. Looks as if this may take some getting used to but it is very intriguing. I will definitely give it a go and see where it takes me. :)