Hello Steemians!
Okay, let's be honest here. My first few weeks on steemit was a blast. There's no denying that I really enjoyed the acceptance that the community has shown. But as weeks turn into months, the ecstasy has worn out. I am now facing a question that almost all of us have stumbled upon: "Is Steemit really worth your time and effort?"
Wait.
I know you might be all asking why and how did it happen. Please bear with me in this and let me continue.
It's true that everyone is struggling to get the attention and exposure they thought they deserve. Basically, the platform works in a way that those who are newbies should work their asses off. I guess we all agree it's how the world works. It's the reality that we are facing right now.
Let's move backward a little bit. When I first introduced myself through my first post, I was hardly noticed. Then, I made a post about a project that I'm involved in which fetched a fair recognition from the community. I continued to post poems and articles that matter to me. They're fairly recognized. I am happy with that, but I was enveloped with human instinct. I can't help but compare myself with others.
Like me, you might have thought that your post is much better than others and yet theirs have more upvotes than yours. I'm not saying that it's unfair or the blockchain should be changed to accommodate my whims. I'm completely aware of how the community functions and how it should be. Besides, I believe that the developers are working to make the community conducive to everyone especially to the newbies. There are also initiatives and events hosted by amazing individuals who have been here ahead of us.
How you heard about the term "Snowball Effect"?
If not, continue reading as you might get something useful and inspirational. If you have, still continue reading and scrutinize this post. Feel free to comment and point out the things that are not in the right place and the things that I have missed.
Snowball Effect
In general, Snowball Effect is a metaphor. Imagine a snowball rolling down the hill. As it descends down, it picks up more snow making it larger. The larger it gets, the faster it rolls down. The faster it rolls down, the more it picks up more snow on its path down the hill. This cycle and momentum will continue until an external force intervenes, eventually breaking the cycle.
It is a process which starts small in terms of significance, builds upon itself, and becomes larger along the way. Depending on the outcome, it can be categorized into two ways: vicious cycle and virtuous cycle. Vicious cycle has a potential to have a dangerous or dangerous outcome, while virtuous cycle might have a beneficial outcome.
Notable Examples of Snowball Effect
Social Psychology: Initially, whatever you're doing, you started small in terms of size and significance. Then someone notices your craft and praised you for your work. Slowly at first, you gain more audience as you continue what you are doing. As it went on, you became successful in your field of expertise. The more successful you've become, the more publicity you get. The more publicity you get, the more you generate accolades and recognitions.
Economics: The demand of a certain product from a particular manufacturer increases. In turn, the manufacturer's efficiency increases because the average total cost decreases by producing more of the product. Decreasing the average total cost of the product lowers the price, which then causes more demand. The cycle then continues until the manufacturer monopolises the market.
Investment: As a concept, Snowball Effect is a metaphor of compounding. Small investments can lead to greater results over time. Take the case of Warren Buffet. His investments in the past, lead him to become one of the wealthiest today.
Environment: The Snowball Effect of Global Warming. Warming leads to melting of glaciers and ice sheets in Arctic and Antarctic Circle. Melting leads to escape of carbon dioxide gases that were trapped in the ice. These gases then leads to increase of Earth's temperature due to Greenhouse Effect. Higher temperature leads to more melting which stimulates plant growth in the Arctic. Plant growth darkens the area resulting to more absorbed sunlight than reflected causing more warming. A time will come that this will be a runaway cycle.
There tons of other examples, but let's focus on Social Psychology because it will be the most relevant in this context.
Snowball Effect and Steemit
Steemit is interesting, no doubt, but a distaste for those who are new. I guess we can attribute it to the idea we initially thought that steemit is an easy-money scheme. We thought that once we log in to the platform, we are guaranteed of the value that we perceive. We idealized too much about steemit that once reality slaps us in the face, we will easily get discouraged.
To those who are like me, please continue with steemit. Continue posting and level up your game. Be an expert of what you are doing. Never be discouraged by low payouts or low upvotes. Like a snowball on top of a snowy hill, all it takes is a little push. You will never know when ball will start rolling to your advantage.
As the value of steemit continues to rise, never stop learning and never give up. Never stop posting because you will never know when your first viral post will be.
I have decided to look at things differently. From now on, I thought of myself as a snowball that's slowly gaining momentum. I am positive that there is a certain day for me. For now, I'll hone my craft.
Keep on steeming everyone!
Well said @ybanezkim26!!!
Becoming great isn't an overnight process. As long as you do not stop from creating good posts like this, it will never be long for your big break :)
God bless higala!
Thank you for the encouragement @smaeunabs. I have learned my lesson so I will never stop posting quality contents.
@ybanezkim26 I love all the examples you showed here regarding the snowball effect. It's super important to remember this. I've been on here for about a month now and have already had a variety of ups and downs. I have questioned "is this platform right for me?" many times now but after reading a variety of successful Steemiter's advice posts, I've learned that it is a long game, and so you should be prepared to be consistent (every day) for at least 3-6 months before you actually begin to see the snowball start to form.
For me the MOST EFFECTIVE strategy BY FAR has been to create awesome content, then go out into the Steemit world and digest the content that other creators are making. I'll go out and read the entire post, then leave a thoughtful comment on each post I read. I only choose to read things that I actually want to read, so it becomes an enjoyable process.
Through this simple action, I've gained most of my followers, and I know that if I just continue on this path for the next few months, I'll start building last momentum. Maybe even a snowman!
Thanks for the inspiring most here! Would love to hear your thoughts on my recent post about my strategies for inspiring creativity on a daily basis: 3 MIND-ALTERING Ways To Inspire Your Next Steemit Post
Hello @axios! Thank you for elucidating further about consistency. I have been here for 3 months, but I lack the drive to be consistent. Maybe that's the reason why I haven't seen the growth that I envisioned.
I will gladly share my thoughts about your recent post. I'll read it first. Based on the title alone, I think it would be a big help for me since I'm struggling on what to write.
So true. When I first joined , I must say that the first few months were really difficult. Even if you give your best in making good materials, there are just people who doesn't appreciate it and as an affect, this will make you a bit down and discouraged. But then I came to know how things work and honestly, I too become a bit hesitant whether to continue or not. However, I just contemplated and thought that what's most important is that you enjoy writing even if you don't get the rewards you sought to have. :)
Good to know that you're back @brokenmancode. Well keep on steeming until our snowball rolls down the hill. Just push a little more.
A round of applause to you @ybanezkim26 ! Well illustrated and well explained post. I feel you, but as what you've said we're slowly gaining momentum so we should not stop. We just need to stay positive always.
Thank you for sharing this I love your presentation! Keep it up! Resteemed.
Thank you @leahlei! Stay positive and be inspired to post quality contents. We'll get to where we want someday.
Thanks a lot @ybanezkim26, I also made an addition/response to your blog. Please take time to read it.
https://steemit.com/steemit/@jassennessaj/important-missing-points-i-learned-that-minnows-fail-to-get-in-steemit-platform
Wow! A response blog? It's overwhelming. I'll take it as a milestone in this community. Thank you so much!
And the big break just happened :)
Not really. It's too fast. I say it's that little push for the big break. It's still too early. Hahaha
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Our fellow minnows need this for encouragement :)
I hope that they will be inspired to post and never give up on steemit.
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