That is quite a list of achievements in such a short period of time. I once had the curator thing working, being a top 10 overall, but the rules have changed so much that I am still trying to work the (new) curator game out. But then Steemit is a much different and better place now than those heady days of 12 months ago.
Glad you have been able to find a place here and fit right in. That's what I love about Steemit - there is always more people, and interesting people to meet everyday.
All the best to you.
I have often wondered and would LOVE to see you, or someone, who has been on here and maybe left for a short time do a post about the changes. I mean, I have seen whales or high up dolphins make posts but they never left or took a hiatus. It would be interesting to see and read the changes.
An example is in the value of a vote. Before one of the recent Hard Forks (maybe 19?) only really the whale's votes had any power. Then the algorithm they used was changed to allow for everyone's vote to have some sort of reward capacity. That's also when it also started to drain your vote power much quicker also. One of my votes went from maybe 1 cent (at most) to about 20 cents overnight. That was a positive, in terms of morale. Not sure if you were here for that or not.
Another example of this would be a Curie vote. When I started here curie was just getting started too. So I did manage to get several votes from them which helped. But a curie vote from them (and they were just as powerful then as now with regards to amount of SP they held) back then was worth between $15 and $30 SBD (usually towards the lower end). Now it's well over $100 SBD. So it really pays to get a visit from them. Especially given the current value of SBD.
These changes affected the way the curator game was best played. That's when I realised I now had no idea how to curate like I used to. Lots of successful curators fell away then too.
The value of STEEM played a role in all of this also. It peaked overnight right at the start at $4, then proceeded to go down all the way to $0.10. People left in droves. But that was the best time to get involved.
Its better now in the sense that it is far more established. There are flourishing communities, related to many subject areas. A far broader range of bloggers, and numbers posting regularly. It used to be the same people getting voted on every time. They stopped producing much of value knowing the votes would always come in. That lead to a lot of internal bickering and drama.
The drama still exists. I usually avoid it. I didn't so much as leave for awhile, just went quiet and refrained from posting while I dealt with other issues. I kept one eye on the place (so to speak). So I am a newbie again at the curator game, lol. Which is fine with me. But I have been putting more of my energies in to posting and interacting. Steemit is definitely improved in those areas.
There is probably a lot more, but those are my main observations.
WOW- this was an insightful comment! Really gives me some perspective as to how things have progressed.
Retention has been... wishy-washy to say the least.
The price of steem and sbd brings people in... then they rush out again.
As far as the drama.. I am the same.I avoid it. I do my thing, bypass the arguments (flagging, down voting for personal vendettas, etc). If I wanted that, I would still be in high school or on FB.
I can see how the organization of communities has helped many steemians along; I know it has me immensely. Not sure where I would be on here without four or five different Discord groups.
One other thing I just thought of that I feel has helped the place. Despite the fact it may seem almost impossible to get onto the trending page, and may even seem like the posts that do get there are somewhat over valued, when I started, and even for some months after, there were post that received in the range of $10,000 - $20,000. There were many that would get $2000 + for little reason. Now if a post gets $500+ it generally is the top payout. That has helped smooth things out somewhat.
Retention has always seemed to be a problem. It goes in waves. People rush in, then after awhile some leave disheartened. This has been rectified somewhat by the communities, and groups such as at Discord.
Anyway, hope that helps. Got me reminiscing, lol. I love Steemit, and more so now than before. All the best.
You have been very helpful and forthcoming and it is SO appreciated!!!
I learn so much new information and tips every day and your comments here have been so eye-opening and helpful!
I look forward to reading more of your posts too!
You're very welcome. I did forget one important factor. Power down used to take 12 months. Then it was changed to 3 months. That had an impact on price and value perception of STEEM.
And lastly, initially STEEM had an annual built in inflation of 100%. This eventually was changed dramatically to 10%. I believe this was one of the big moves that helped improve the value of both Stemit and STEEM. It was touch and go at first as to how people would receive it, given a lot of people were believed to have gotten involved in the platform because of it's high inflation rate - which was shared out according to amounts one already had.
Today's heealthy state of Steemit and STEEM tells me these were all the correct decision.
Okay, I'll stop annoying you now :)