Today I turned 21, which is a pretty incredible feeling. Oh, I am actually almost 40 but my SP clicked over to 21,000 which I think is quite an amazing (dare I say) accomplishment over the last one and a half years. It has taken a lot of work, a hell of a lot of learning and a fair amount of risk to get to this point but, I am glad that I have gone through it.
Not just because perhaps one day it will ease financial burden but to get to this stage, I feel like I am some small part of influencing the future for the better. A lot of people in crypto are interested in changing the world and making it a little better but at Steem, it is possible to see it actually happen. Yes, I talk about powering up but, it is also nice to see some people reduce their immediate suffering, if only slightly and, it is nice to be a small part of making that happen.
If you haven't paid attention lately, the post counts have decreased quite significantly which tends to happen when prices drop. I have said it before but this is actually the best time for accounts to build because even though less SBD (I am old and know it is riding high) will get paid, more Steem will be distributed. Also if you haven't noticed, the The SBD/STEEM (debt/equity) ratio stands at 3.28% source which means some liquid Steem is being paid instead of SBD. If the ratio gets to 5%, SBD stops printing completely. That might be something for you to consider but, lets have a look at prices a little themselves in relation to account growth.
Yep, people are posting less when prices are low which is a massive opportunity for those looking long to build their accounts. This doesn't necessarily mean posting more though. At the moment, there is effectively less competition in the pool as those who are sunshine users (only post when prices are high) disappear like bears in the winter. For many who keep posting, the quality drops because they just don't think it is worth putting effort in for the reward returned but, the bots and automated content continues. This means, real and good content has more chance of being seen.
I know a lot of the small numbers of manual curators left and they are struggling to find good content but, when they do, they are so excited to have found someone worthy of their support. I know that some of the curators from @ocd for example are taking notes on people so that when they come back from summer break, they can find them again. As said, this is a time o plenty. Plenty of work.
It is at these times that I have been able to make the largest gains for my account growth as I have managed to maintain consistency, no matter the price of Steem. People don't seem to really know what I mean by this but, lets, have a little look at the prices. Steem is currently hovering around $1.66 which is higher than where it was for nearly all of 2017 except for the insane bull run in December where it peaked at $7.28, over 4 times the current price.
As prices increase, so do vote values and competition however, if one is looking long, this is the time to do the groundwork because right now, other long-term thinkers are doing the groundwork too. The manual curators, the content developers, the app creators and even the autovoters. Autovoters need content to vote on to make return, and if their selected producers aren't producing, they might shift their votes.
So, let's say that an account that was averaging 10 dollars on a post in December is now averaging 4 dollars on a post, that is a 2.5 times drop in value (more Steem is paid too) but, prices have dropped 4 times. This would indicate that the account has been growing somewhat and attracting new followers and support which generally only happens through consistency and quality. As prices fell and the sunshiners disappeared, their was space and eyes to see what remained.
What happens if prices return to the $7 mark? Well, the vote values increase and the additional followers keep supporting their new found producer and hopefully reward them for being consistent and quality while others just didn't think it was worth it. There are no guarantees but this would mean that the new average post value is ~$16 instead of December's $10. Does that make sense?
Personally, I tend to take note of the people I follow at times like these because when they stop producing or their quality drops significantly, it is because they are here only for the money and that is not who I want to support heavily. If, at these times, people did similar and reduced support on some and increased support on others at these times, pretty soon the quality of posts getting rewarded would increase significantly. This in turn would also incentivize others to increase their own efforts.
Of course, it is possible that this doesn't happen also which is part of the risk of putting effort into something as it might be lost but, what is really lost? Is creating good content only worthwhile if there is a reward at the end of the rainbow? What happened to doing something well just for the sake of doing something well?
Regardless though, if one is looking to grow an account for the future, it is times like these that the largest gains are actually made but the gains are not reflected in the price, they are reflected in the community. What I am fortunate to have is that even though prices have dropped, a lot of the engaged people on the platform are still dropping by to say hi, still engaging and when I check their content, they are still posting.
A couple of days ago I started the #anhouraday tag where I encourage people to give something a go for an hour a day over a month before they give up. You can have a look at the 40 odd posts that have been posted under that tag here:
https://steemit.com/trending/anhouraday
Each of these I have voted on and read many. It will be these kinds of people that when prices increase, will have a little more support than before, and have made a little bit of gain on the overly supported Sunshiners. I hope that all of them will one day be celebrating their 21st 1000 SP birthday too and along that path to that point, support the community that has supported them.
Right now is the time to get dirty and dig the foundations of the future. The deeper the foundation, the higher the building it can support. Use this time well and value it for what it is, a great opportunity.
Taraz
[ a Steem original ]
Congratulations on hitting 21K! Prices whether they are up or down, I post consistently on a daily basis here on Steemit.
Well you're one of the people here who has continuously produced contents everyday since I've followed you, and you're right I wrote this on one of my posts, when people sees steemit as problem solver and fast money as first priority then the community aspect of this place looses it's place making it an advanced ponzi
Well I'll keep tabs on the bears who has hibernated, when STEEM price rises again, we shall see them 😀😀😀😀😀
This is pretty much how many see it and if it becomes only this, it will not survive. There has to be enough engaged and active real users actively building the network to balance it. That takes stake put into the right places.
you're right Taraz, 200%.
21 again right? I drink to that 😂😂😂
Congratulations, 21 again - I wish!
I'm still aiming for one a day (posting that is), as I do think it's a good time to be noticed as one of the people sticking around through the 'darker' times.
If I had fiat on the side, I'd be starting to take interest in the prices around now - especially if SBD were to reach $1 and level off around there.
If I had a little extra I would be picking up some more. It is just impossible at the moment.
Your post relates to something great here #steem
Steemians tend to forget the first step is post.
Reward comes after 7 days.
You said it right consistency is right and will bring you home.
Happy for you you reach that milestone at 21000 SP.
Congratulation and Thanks for sharing great experience with us. Amazing post.
really appreciate your analysis on the current steemit scenario but i think its still hard to get attention for a newbie on steemit...and what you think is it profitable to work on steemit with out investing in it?
Lol at first I thought you were referring to your age and was like 'no freaking way!'. Congratulations Dear, you deserve it
Congratulations and thanks for this encouraging post. I hope to reach that target. Your are consistent on this platform. I often check the number of posts you write daily. You always have quality content. I will like to join #anhouraday tag challenge.
Congratulations that is a very nice milestone to accomplish.
I’ve noticed even when people are given the power to shape something, some tools to build that foundation, and some light encouragement. Many just seem to look around at everyone else hoping someone steps forward and do the work. Naturally they will be there to pat themselves on the back when things get accomplished as they tell themselves there no "I" in team. Well shoot if go with modern day applefication of things it would be --iteam!
Hi
I agree with you and this is what I have been trying to tell everyone. When it is quiet and the post values are down is when it is time to grow. The ones that have been working hard have very little vote value left. I have been going to bed in the low 60% every night.
Just keep posting...just keep posting.. just keep posting....
This is the time to get your name out there , build your foundation increase your support .
With less competition on a product makes the major players vulnerable to market shares .
Congrats on the 21k . WTG 🎉
You got a 26.32% upvote from @ocdb courtesy of @tarazkp!