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Alrighty I shall :)

For reference, what makes a post truely exceptional to you?

Look at the posts that @curie has resteemed. Those are exceptional. Those are posts that you would normally see in professional blogs, and are engaging and adds value to the platform. Just because there is a lot effort put in, doesn't mean it is exceptional.

That said also consider other factors, such as author's persistence without much success. I hope you have read the expanded explanation of the guides. It is explained well there.

Yeah I read it, it is pretty thourough! I will check out the Curie posts. A few of mine have been chosen by them so I figure I would know lol, but thus, as you say, curating is not easy! Sure can be fun tho..

If you are signed up on Streemian, you can see the list of latest approved post there as well.