Just chiming in as a minnow. I have noticed the trend -->
Start out on platform "Follow for follow" upvote for upvote"
The follow for follow stops; because it has no value..
but an upvote for an upvote will go on even between whales. It's not vote buying, its loyalty to each other who have grown together.
I don't believe whales only vote for minnows or dolphins. The circle continues. Vote buying is being abused by guys with big pockets. Minnows are trying to use it because there seems to be so few rewards handed out to legit little guys.
I don't like to categorize users into minnows, dolphins, whales or whatever. Actually everybody is able to write an oustanding piece of content that is rewarded accordingly. As long as you're aiming to be unique and create something mind-blowing, you can become no. 1 at any time.
People spend decades talking about 'circle jerk' while they don't even know what the term means. They should rather work on their writing skills in the meantime... That's my take on circles :-)
I have a reputation of 71 and do you know how I got there? Through dedication and hard work.
If I had joined july 2016 I would be saying the same thing. Content is easier to get out with a smaller audience, so is getting followed by those who just started with you. I agree the early bird catches the worm. However there is a major disconnect from the “veterans” over here. Yes I will change whales to veterans if you like. There are some great writers who are constantly overlooked because many veterans are following each other (and upvoting). The reward pool says it all. I used to spend a lot of time putting thought into something, research included. I was noticed and made a little bit of steem. But then you try doing it again and again and zip nothing. Then the “newbies” see pictures of pizza taken by a whale and it gets $50-$100? That’s a real buzz kill. If you don’t notice that going on I guess you aren’t seeing the same “content” I see. A very small minority are reaping the rewards and the new users “minnows” are a tiny fraction and are often overlooked. Then everyone wants to kill bot services which new users try to pathetically boost their content with. But now apparently veterans are running these services and using them LOL. Anyways just my observations and not looking for an argument. Steem will probably stall and fall to zero if this continues. Perhaps that’s why steem is needed to expand beyond this platform (SMT). The way I see it, this won’t last because people will just leave. @berniesanders is going to war with @minnowbooster so let’s just see what happens!!
Do you know how much time it took me until I produced a piece of content that was really 'noticed' on this platform? 6 months. During these 6 months I didn't judge the pizza man for earning $50-$100 once. I rather asked myself how I might come into a similar position, so I started to analyze successful accounts and their behaviour within the network. I spent 6-8 hours reading content, commenting, engaging, learning.
It's funny that you really believe that back in July 2016 money was given for free on this platform. That's the easy approach, well it's rather an excuse than an approach. Why working hard if you can't do anything about these unfair veterans?
Sorry, but I don't buy it :-)
I’m not contesting what you earned, nor am I trolling. I’m not contesting the fact you worked hard. I think you missed some nuances of what I attempted to convey. I think we can both agree (and reading through some of your comments), that there were less users in July 2016! Fast forward a year half later. Many more users right? Well perhaps it will now take a user of the same hard work and intellect as yourself double the time (16 months?) to get where you are. Think people will stick around that long? Your persistence is admirable and happy you are proud of your hard work. Thats fantastic! I am not seeing the same opportunity for new users though. I don’t care about myself. I see what’s going on and I am greatful I have a full time career. Steemit for me is a past time. It’s fun and interactive. If I was really motivated by the “money” I would put in 50,000 and just upvote my own comments. Plenty of people here do that. Watch the little followrrs make their comments. Lots of them guaranteed; especially with a $5.00 %100 vote. Look, If you don’t deny seeing shit posts earning crazy amounts.. well I guess what you are saying back in the “ “early” years that never happened. Perhaps I’m not a veteran but I still can read and analyze.
Nobody can turn back time and it would have been huge to have the whole world on board back in 2016.
Everything I'm saying is that it makes no sense to point a finger at someone. Time is much better spent on improving your own stuff. So while you complain about "shit posts earning crazy amounts" you could have been writing a new shit post on your own :-)
Persistency and patience will always pay off.
If you need more evidence: @acromott is the very best example of how quality content is able to succeed on steemit. He joined in May 2017 (like you).
Haha I just checked his blog and perhaps it wasn’t the best timing to see it but 5 photos earned him $28 or so on his latest post. Pizza anyone? In any case, yes “winners”can be selected, however the go getters who are just as good sometimes get overlooked. As well, aim not sure about your statement that everyone started from 0 here. I did, but dig enough on this blockchain and you will find out that steem was ninja mined and distributed to select members. In any case I appreciate the frank discussion. I believe you earned every steem dollar.. and your experience on the platform isn’t being taken for granted. I’m just trying to bring a different perspective.
I guess you will always find something negative in any of my statements, so I will leave you now and just wish you: best of luck on your steemit journey :-)