Hey @jongolson, thanks for the shout out!
You're absolutely right that engagement is key here. Adding value to conversations through comments and the upvoting of comments will build community.
It's easy to forget that steemit sees no difference between posts and comments - they are both of equal value and sometimes there's as much, if not more, value to be found in the subsequent comment thread than the original post.
I think as a newbie on this platform, it is critical to grasp this point and to start building relationships through (genuine) comments and you might even get an upvote reward for your efforts along the way. A win-win. Also, maybe consider expanding on a comment through a separate post (exactly as you have done here) and link to the original source to again "add value to the blockchain". (You're less likely to run out of content ideas too using this approach and you're more likely to be creating for an audience if you're building on someone else's post). This creates a web of linked content that readers can consume and learn from as little or as much as they would like (=value).
Again, cheers for the shout out and a fab summary video on an important topic.
HUGE!
You know, I was thinking...The way we connected was through a common love of books and then replying and commenting on each others posts. Nothing forced. Just a similar interests. And when that happens....The genuine comments appear!
Yes, that's right. There was a mutual interest and its gone on from there.
It helped that we were at a similar stage here and our accounts have grown since (although yours much faster than mine!). So we went from tipping each other (our max vote of) $0.01 to around $0.10+ now and that growth will no doubt continue.
I think that's another point to remember - try to surround yourself with like minded people who are committed and you can support each other and grow together.
So true man. That's how the whales support each other. They all started around the same time and grew together,
That's why I beg new Steemians to get out there and interact with everyone they can now lol