My posts go one of two ways, decent payout - limited comments or limited payout - tons of comments. I have yet figured out why it happens that way, but I much prefer the engagement for it leads to growth of a healthy following.
The posts that had the most comments should've made the most money, not the one's that luckily ran into a trail full of upvotes. It's upside down right now. I'm sure the algo will be tweaked again and again till the devs get it right, but how much damage is being done to new subs right now?
Yes I agree it is not healthy, there should be a predictable ratio between the work you put in and the return it creates.
Everything that makes it look like a lottery is going to negatively affect engagement.
I feel that comments should be a better indicator of the quality of the post. Honestly, what excites the most people to Steemit is the concept of "free money." Of course, with financial motivation, who wouldn't want to maximize their payout with the least effort.
Find a popular post with no substance, upvote it, bam you get curation reward
Find an intellectual post where you have to actually have to think hard on a good comment, upvote it, and bam you get penalized with no reward at all.
Unless something is made to the algorithm, there will always be people looking to "game" the system to maximize their welfare, which is of course not much different from the centralized power we have in most government structure.
Some will benefit and others will cry foul.
The best way to play this game is to be in it for the long haul. Keep true to yourself and keep posting insightful articles to differentiate yourself from the crowd.
The posts that you create speaks a lot about your personality as well as the "brand" you intend to personify. Your true fans will stay. "Untrue" fans will unfollow you eventually.
I'm not sure how this will work out but I would say, give this a try for at least 5 months. If it doesn't work, you can always switch strategy and try some new. Eventually something will stick and that's when you should capitalize on your new found knowledge. :D
I hope I answered your questions. Btw, I've resteemed your post ;)
Awesome reply, already seems to be working ! I think indeed that long term quality will win out. If not on Steemit.com it will pay off in other ways.
For me writing on Steemit.com is a system not a goal. (need to write a post about that) It is a great concept from Scott Adams.
For me, even if the earnings don't materialize, (although I already made an infinite amount more than on say cough Face* Cough Boo Cough ) I will still win because I am refining ideas and getting valuable feedback. Those Ideas I can apply in my coaching, maybe online courses, ... there are ever more ways to monetize ideas.
Check out Scott Adams on goals vs Systems, it's really worthwhile
Exactly. We can think about Steemit as an investment. I don't think Warren Buffet made his billions by being a short term trader. Obviously, think about writing on Steemit as "buying the Steemit" stocks.
There's so many strategies and tactics before you run out of ideas. You can do contests, give out free SBDs, videos, and etc but I believe at the end of the day, people don't need to feel warm and fuzzy inside.
It's just plain O good content.
Then again, I might just be wrong since the world doesn't work the way I perceive it. If I'm wrong, let's just call it learning. :D