It now feels urgent and important to be intentional about how I use the time I give to Steemit. Yes it’s really fun to just dive in and let myself be pulled towards this and that comment, reply, post, convo, but there are a few realities that are nudging me to use my time and power more responsibly.
Firstly I have limited time to give so I want it to reflect my priorities. Lately I'll lift my head to find that hours and hours have been gobbled up by unstructured curation and communicating. This is all well worthwhile, but far too often I find that my precious time is gone and I haven't used any of it for content creation which for me is essential to my well-being or days have gone by and I haven't checked in with one of the groups I'm involved with.
The other reason is a wake-up call that came yesterday and added a priority to my list. I came across a thread of posts and comments from a minnow who had given Steemit a go and after a respectable effort was saying goodbye and giving up. He was frustrated and bitter and believed the system was rigged and didn’t work as promised.
much of the time I spend on Steemit during the cold months happens in this crappy old chair next to Lucy
In the early days, the pool was smaller so we found ourselves browsing new posts more often so fewer people went unnoticed. But now keeping up with the people I already support and with the various groups I’m involved with is a formidable task and therefore searching for new talent often falls by the wayside.
Meanwhile, the there are thousands of new adopters who are getting lost in the fray and so many give up. Yes many are posting subpar quality and instagram-like posts but there are many others who are posting excellent content.
So, I realized that right here, right now, it's important to commit 30 minutes a day of my Steemit time to finding and supporting new quality posts.
I can’t help everybody but if each of us were to support some new posts every single day, together we could really help these individuals stick it out long enough to find their people, develop their presence and eventually make some money! And the good news is that this will simultaneously raise the quality and value of Steemit.
After all the value of Steem has everything to do with the collective value of the platform. If we continue such low user-retention levels, no one benefits, whereas if we gain a reputation for excellent content and loyal users, it brings a greater value, investment and cache which is good for all of us.
When we help an individual, we help the platform and wind up helping ourselves, it’s win-win circle.
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With this in mind, I return to prioritizing my time.
So,….how to best use the 2-4 hours a day I have?
The equation is different for everyone, but here’s what my picture looks like. I do my best writing while my mind is fresh so I give my mornings to this and then I can use smaller snippets of time or the evening when I’m more tired to curate, comment and do the final logistics of putting together the post I’ve written.
Morning
1.5 hours Writing content, editing, planning
I usually have a few posts in the works so I’ll choose one and edit it to the next level as well as to start a new one if I’m compelled. Sometimes I’ll use some of this time to loosely strategize what my posts will be for the next week or 2.
1.0 Communications., comments and keeping up with my group commitments
During the day when I need a break from my studio work:
.25-.5 Browse for great content among minnows and new Steemians
.25-.75 If needed, taking photos for my posts as the opportunities arise
0-.5 keeping an eye on crypto values and trading, transferring monies
In the evening after my work day and dinner:
1-3 hours Curation, communication, gathering photos, putting together posts
(depends on how long my work days was and whether I have evening plans)
This time is spent on curation and on uploading my photos to use in posts from my cameras or archives, and putting together the parts of a post so it’s cued up to press post the next morning.
I'm going to give this a try and do some further fine-tuning as needed, and hopefully my time will become a better reflection of my priorities!
Love to hear from you, any thoughts? Any practical tips? Do you plan your time on Steemit? What does it look like? And do you designate time for supporting quality work from unknown Minnows? Don't be shy, leave a comment!
Thank you for your support, it makes my life as an artist possible!
You @natureofbeing and your actions are a great inspiration and a good example for us All here on Steemit.
To see, to frame actions in terms of time is totally legitimate and I totally understand and respect that.
On my side, however, I see things (actions) less time-dependent but more dependent on enthusiasm and inspiration ...and for that, I am grateful to you once again and to others who inspire me...this way giving me the power to take a step forward, again and again. And I wish with all my heart that this phenomenon is mutual ... more precisely ... I feel inspired as I look to inspire others.
Hi @adrianv, I have to agree that enthusiasm and inspiration are absolutely key! They are the jumping off point for sure. Then comes organization and systems to empower it.
thanks for your comment
well stated, our paths cross some more than others and win/win scenarios are much more constructive then bringing people on board who leave because the first thing they see is the trending page O.o
<3
b.a.
Lol, yeah that trending page is really repellent isn't it!!! Thanks @battleaxe
It is a good plan. Actually, in the beginning it seems that it is so simple. Just write your blog, add photos and everything is OK! But actually Steemit it takes a lot of time and effort. Especially those who strive to do quality work. It is not easy. I perfectly understand you. I (like plankton) spend here almost all day to be seen. I write comments, carefully read the articles of my friends. Much time I spend on creating my content. Photography, photo processing, writing a professional text is first in my language. Then I do English translation, edit the text. It is really a great work that we do. And those people who are trying to move, do not make the effort, they are doomed to failure.
You are so right @anna-mi, steemit is so much time and much more than just posting!! And I can't imagine if I had to translate also....with all comments and posts that sure is a lot of work! You do it very well. I've always been impressed by the time you take to really read and comment authentically.
Oh, that chair looks so cozy!! Especially including Lucy!
I can totally relate in regards to managing your time on Steemit... And about finding a balance between friends and supporting newcomers.
I have not found a balance yet, nor am I able to manage my time properly, LOL. I love planning and allocating time slots to things, but at the same time I also know I'm kidding myself. The part of me that has trouble being trapped into time slots and wants to go with the flow is way stronger than the planner and organiser in me :D
Oh I understand so well, I'm the same way, lol!! Even today after posting, I've stepped outside of my plan, and after all the organic flow is much more fun. Having said that, at this point in time for it's useful to be more intentional whether or not I stick to it always, which I'm sure I won't! Thanks for reading @connecteconomy!
This whole post is fabulous (and Lucy is adorable), but I especially appreciate the point about encouraging new minnows and building the retention rate on Steemit. I'm off to do that right now!
...tips hat...flies off to introduceyourself tag...
:-)))
Thanks for sharing your personal struggle and planning! :-) I'm beginning to feel like I have to plan my Steemit time as well, since I sometimes just 'wander around' without adding real value, or getting distracted from what I wanted to add that day.
I do believe I should start to find 'new Steemians' as well on a regular basis. Even once a week for half an hour strolling through Introduction posts would already be cool - I do recognize it's a tough game for minnows. (Which I still am too, but I've been helped immensely in my first weeks here, not all Minnows are that lucky.)
Hope you'll find a better rhytm in the upcoming period! :-) Would love to know how this works out for you.
Thank you @soyrosa, I too was very lucky in the beginning and had some good support. I agree that even once a week helps to make an effort for those newbies who are doing good work.
I'd like to know if you make any discoveries with your time management as well! Thanks for your support
Yes, if I find some I’ll make sure I’ll share them! Maybe write a weekly post about the finds? Who knows! Thanks for your support too :-)
Thanks for a nice view of how to organize Steemit processes to better fit into a life. I have that problem often, and am not well known as a stellar planner in the first place. I've tried making some repeatable systems for voting and commenting, and they do help quite a bit. I do all my own voting, so that does add a layer of time. But I like the personal nature of it...what Steemit is really all about.
However, as you say, the creation of quality content is the real bread and butter here...not strictly in financial terms..but more so in relation to constantly evolving creativity. So important, and takes a lot of time. Particularly if writing longer posts. But it is SO much fun, and rewarding ( :
I do feel for the new folks on the site. It has gotten so large, and if you do not comment and help people to know who you are, there is small hope of being 'discovered', except maybe a lucky few. Quality has nothing to do with it, in my view.
There are many many folks on here with tons of creative talent, and they often gain little traction over time. As someone said in the comments, the best thing a person can do is NOT look at the trending page. It only leads to huge frustration. I'm trying to find new people, though as you say, it takes dedication and time to do so. But well worth it for the quality of the site. Isn't that what it's all about?
Well, I've rambled on here long enough for a two-part publication, so will go, but thanks for some excellent food for thought. And maybe some tips to speeding up my process here on the wondersite of Steemit.
Thanks for your thoughts here, I appreciate them! It is indeed hard to get seen in the beginning and you are correct - the best way to be seen is to create quality content AND to comment and interact with those you want to get to know better and to do so repeatedly. Most of the new friends I have I met that way. I really do take a look at someone's blog if they have something interesting to say repeatedly in the comments or if I see their comment for someone else's post. Intelligence and heart shine out and always are magnetic for me. But there needs to be good quality on their blog too. So many times I take a look at someone's blog and I won't look past 2 subpar posts or if they only post single photos repeatedly they lose me. Needs to be the good stuff.
This really is a great division of 'steemit hour labour' for yourself and a good guide for others.
I know what you mean about finding the day slip away! I am really sort of new to steemit. I only started paying attention to it and realizing what it was around the end of December, and I have just fallen in love with it.
For me I too try a certain amount in the morning to go and respond to replies and really sort of look through the feed.
I have also made it a challenge for myself to do at least one or two challenge/contests a week, which allows me to both interconnect, meet new people and use it as a means to make more work for my own portfolio.
I sometimes worry I am not commenting enough, but I also tend to be so wordy in my comments I probably spend far too much time on each of them. I can't help that, as it is just my nature to rattle on ;) (As I appear to be doing here again in your comments!)
I do agree with your time schedule and am trying, myself, to find the best balance of intereaction vs. creating content. It is a balance and in a way a microcosm of normal daily life.
I really search the feed and follow things that interest me and then when I see an interesting comment I follow to that person and often this leads me to finding more people to follow. I try to keep up with my 'favourites' but also want to make time for newbies.
Honestly, I don't even really know what constitutes a minnow. I mean, I think I am a minnow, but not really sure.
Well, in all that convoluted mess, I am still developing my balance of 'support/content'. But, I'm having fun whilst trying to find that balance!
As always, I like your ramblings and have found that taking time to really read posts and comment thoughtfully is the very best way to build relationships that last so it's worth its weight in gold even if it takes a lot of time.
Yes you are definitely a minnow - defined by how much steempower and although I don't remember the divisions exactly, it's about "vests" and @barrydutton explains it well: https://steemit.com/steemit/@barrydutton/steemit101-what-s-a-minnow-dolphin-whale-etc-in-terms-of-the-numbers-anyways-resources-for-steemit-noobs
But the only reason this matters is that one has to gain "influence" (reputation and SP as well as to have a good loyal following) to be most effective in terms of our posts being seen and being able to give sizable upvotes as well as rewards for our posts. Of course there are the benefits of being here that can't be named with a number though and those are invaluable but again, it's easier to make friends if your posts are easily seen.
It sounds like you're finding your way quite well!!
Well, I set the goal to diligently post each day and to access all the great contests and challenges as part of my new year art endeavor and I'm nothing of not diligent. I get pleasure from setting then achieving my own arbitrary goals and if something good come from it I say hurrah, great side affect and well done you. If I please and satisfy myself first, then even if my efforts fail, I've still succeeded in my own joy.
Thank you for taking the time to comment back, this is what I really like about Steem is what good little chat's we can have in the comments.
Just like you sometimes I find myself spending hours on commenting and replying, without any time left to create a post. Or it's the other way around: I'm spending all my time on getting a post out, and then realize I haven't seen anything else than my own editor all day.
Maybe it's not such a bad idea to create some kind of organisation system... it would probably more effective than my impulsive jumping around from post to post and Discord Channel to Discord Channel... 😀
It's indeed harder to get noticed as a beginner. The in-stream of new people is huge. I try to help out where I can and make posts about what I learn. Sometimes I notice a post in the tag stream with a cry for help and if no one else does, I take my time to pay attention to it and answer questions. Being fairly new myself, it's not always that easy; SteemIt is a giant puzzle with way too many pieces and I'm only just managing to find my way around it myself.
And the truth is that most of these newcomers signed up because they heard you can earn money here, but don't bother to educate themselves. As a result, I find it difficult to go searching for those few diamonds in the rough. I dislike searching the tag streams more and more, because there's so much crap out there that it makes me sad.
The problem is that SteemIt lacks a good educational system. I've been here for 4 months, and only found out about the FAQ page last week. That should be different. It should be the first thing people see when they sign up, not something they accidently bump into.
Fortunately, being a minnow myself, I mainly attract other minnows with my posts. It's easier to separate the promising newcomers from the others, and it's easier to sense whether I'll be wasting my time or not.
How do you go out and look for those who do post quality content? I could sure use some tips...
It's great that you're taking the time to support other new joiners!! If you can believe it, it's actually 5000% easier now to join steemit and learn the ropes because there are so many resources now and posts to help newbies, but I understand that it can be hard to even discover them at first.
It's true that there are so many new accounts and so much crap for sure....kind of discouraging, but there are also so many incredible content producers that I can't keep up daily or weekly with everything I want to read. This is a good thing even if curating eats up so much time.
So, to answer your question - I found my favorite bloggers mostly by exploring and reading posts that caught my attention. Commenting and following these people regularly helps to develop authentic relationships if you genuinely connect with their posts. And often those posts have comments by others who blog about the same subject or of equal quality. You can tell a lot by the quality of someone's comment. It was very organic in the beginning for me and I spent a lot of time sort of discovering. I often see who my favorites are following as well since those people may be a good match.
And lastly, making friends through joining chats and groups can be really useful. I've met some good friends here that way.
I hope this helps!!
Thanks for the tips.
Unfortunately I don’t like chats - they drive me crazy, but I’m beginning to understand how the ball starts rolling. I set up my first contest earlier this week, and suddenly I’m picked up by a group of people who are doing the same thing, all using the same tag. And so we started supporting each other, getting to know each other better.
I started out here as a marketer, with the idea that 75% of the people I followed, would follow me back. That is about right, but it made me end up with a ... let’s call it a ‘diverse’ feed. I really got to clean that up tomorrow, because it’s hard to find the quality post in there...
ah yes I relate...got to clean up the feed sometimes! make sure those you follow continue to post worthwhile content for sure!
I admire you for thinking through a plan. I guess Im too much of a free spirit (or mainly lazy) to follow a plan. However that is just being silly really. I do a plan, just less formal and not written down per se.
It seems to be human nature to want to go over to folks you have an attachment to. However my list of friends is growing as the site does. I guess that is a good problem to have.
Last I would same many newer folk can benefit joining a like I happen to be in SteemUSA. I see it as a mentoring place for newer folks.
I really relate to this!! whew....
Good suggestion about steemUSA and @sndbox who both are chock full of resources for users!
Thanks @old-guy-photos! By the way, your blog is an example of what we're talking about. I used to check your posts frequently and now I only get over there once in awhile. i'll try to make it more frequent ;-)
You know that is such a nice thing to hear!! I have a "Hit Often" List and I just put you on it. I really respect that you actually respond to comments. I can tell you care about the well being of the platform and try to engage with the commentors.
It’s interesting to read how someone who’s been around for a lot longer on Steemit reflects on how they spend their time. I’m still very much getting my bearings but it is good to see that fish of al sizes need to check in and reflect on this.
Thank you 😊
I agree to EVERYTHING :D
Still have issues with planning my time though since I do that much on Steemit at the moment... :/
You know best of all how I support new people on this platform ! That's actually my favorite part and I got the bug from working for @ocd :D
LOVE the chair !!!
Hugs pretty girl ! :*
hi @natureofbeing, thanks so much for sharing how you structure your time on steemit and as quite a newbie myself, I'm pleased to know that there are people genuinely caring to find and support new talents.. I think I have something powerful to say but I've only just started and I know it's quite a journey to really build myself up.. but I won't give up.. I'm here to stay.. thanks for noticing me and commenting on one of my posts recently.. you're a beautiful human being! I'd really appreciate it if you had a look at my most recent article :) https://steemit.com/ecotrain/@bristena94/diary-of-a-free-spirit-ep-3-the-day-that-changed-my-life
glad to help, and @bristena94 a word of advice - please do not list your posts in other people's comments. It's deeply frowned upon here and will even get you downvoted. I'll see your posts in the postpromo on steemsugars
oh, I am deeply sorry! I will definitely refrain from doing this from now on. Thanks for letting me know!