Steemit's integration of a functional and efficient payments system with a social media platform works the best. But the way that this strength is highlighted in the platform's marketing does not seem to be working. One way to solve this would be to develop a set of advertising/marketing language standards to make the STEEM economy feel more accessible to people when they are first exposed to the concept.
I think this issue should be prioritized, and suspect it to be the single biggest barrier to growing the platform's user base in demographics that are currently under-served by traditional businesses/governments in the formal economy. As this category encompasses over 20% of people in the US and more than half the world's population, this may currently be our biggest barrier to growth in terms of the new user adoption.
I suspect the biggest barrier to growth in terms of attracting new users of SBD/STEEM at present is the public perception of uncertainty about the platform's long-term stability.
My main suggestion to Dan, Ned, and the Steemit team would be:
Keep up the good work, but please make sure your actions in the next year do not give potential new users/investors the impression that the site's basic functions or currency mechanics are subject to abrupt change.
I would, have, and will continue to recommend Steemit to friends and family.
As things stand, I will not know what is missing from this platform until I see that it is no longer missing because some clever person has added it.
I'd love to see some big names in journalism on Steemit, but don't think the platform is quite ready for them. Most of the successful people I know in media already have their own thing going on, and will not likely jump on board until Steemit can be easily integrated into whatever their thing is.
Niche-subject bloggers like John Robb and ALWAYS MORE ARTISTS would be great to see in the near future.
I see strong (and probably bumpy) growth in the year ahead. I would like to see the development of a respectful and diverse community here continue throughout this time.
From mentioning the platform to >14k subscribers of a nonprofit newsletter I edit to hosting a local meetup, I've done a bunch of stuff to promote Steemit. Because ...
Thank you so much for a brilliant response:)