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Here you will find @quinneaker's PROVEN tips, tricks, strategies, insights, and perspectives for achieving sustainable success on the Steem blockchain.
REVOLUTIONIZE your social media experience
EARN CRYPTOCURRENCY for posting and curating unique, quality content
JOIN a cutting edge community & establish networks around the globe
REVOLUTIONIZE your social media experience
EARN CRYPTOCURRENCY for posting and curating unique, quality content
JOIN a cutting edge community & establish networks around the globe
You have immediate access to this entire
STEEM POWERED SUCCESS SERIES!!
Click here to navigate to another topic.
Here's what we will cover in this section:
Section 3: Basics for Getting Started on Steemit
9. Navigating Around Steemit
10. How to set up your profile
11. Making a post
12. Commenting
13. Voting
Let's get started!
STEEM POWERED SUCCESS SERIES!!
Click here to navigate to another topic.
Here's what we will cover in this section:
Section 3: Basics for Getting Started on Steemit
9. Navigating Around Steemit
10. How to set up your profile
11. Making a post
12. Commenting
13. Voting
Let's get started!
9. Navigating Around Steemit
One of the biggest challenges for newbies is overcoming the steep learning curve when first joining Steemit. Thankfully, you value your time and effort, hence your priceless investment in this STEEM POWERED SUCCESS SERIES. I am happy to guide you through the basics!
Steemit is not quite as intuitive to use as something like FascistBook and it doesn't have the full spectrum of native features that users of alternative forms of social media have, but what other site PAYS you to blog?? Once you know the ropes and understand how the site functions, you will see that it is actually superior to FB in every meaningful way.
Are you ready to get a feel for the Steemiverse?
Steemit is not quite as intuitive to use as something like FascistBook and it doesn't have the full spectrum of native features that users of alternative forms of social media have, but what other site PAYS you to blog?? Once you know the ropes and understand how the site functions, you will see that it is actually superior to FB in every meaningful way.
Are you ready to get a feel for the Steemiverse?
If you are not logged in, going to Steemit.com pulls up the Trending page. If you ARE signed in, heading to Steemit.com will pull up your personal feed to show the most recent posts from the users you follow.
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You can see the name of the author next to their user image and rep. Next to that is the 1st tag for the post they made and the age of the post. If you hover your mouse over this age, it will reveal the exact date and time of the post! The post title is in bold, and underneath that the first lines of the post are displayed in a short preview. Below that you can see potential post rewards. If you click the down arrow, you can see the pending payout. Next to that is the number of votes on the post, followed by the number of comments, and then there is an option to resteem the post. |
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Resteeming shares the post on your page. If you select this, a pop up will appear to confirm if you really want to resteem.
On the left of this page, you see the top trending tags. These are popular
categories in which people are posting.
On the right are resources for newbies.
Across the top are various tabs to check out.
You are on the trending page here.
The new page shows the most recent posts published to the STEEM blockchain.
Hot shows the top performers in the last few hours, calculated based rewards, votes, comments, and views.
The promoted tab shows posts that spent some amount of STEEM to appear on this tab.
categories in which people are posting.
On the right are resources for newbies.
Across the top are various tabs to check out.
You are on the trending page here.
The new page shows the most recent posts published to the STEEM blockchain.
Hot shows the top performers in the last few hours, calculated based rewards, votes, comments, and views.
The promoted tab shows posts that spent some amount of STEEM to appear on this tab.
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Moving into the upper right, you can see the options for Login, Sign up, Search, and compose a Post. Then there are 3 lines that open up to reveal even more options! You can look through that extra menu at your leisure, but do note that the Explore tab shows more popular tags, and the Currency Market will take you to Steemit's internal exchange. There is also a link to Steemit.chat (more about Steemit.chat in Section 6). |
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Let's take a look at a user's page. Transparency is a key feature of the STEEM blockchain, and you can see anything any user has ever done! Steemit shows blogs, comments, replies, author and curation rewards, and the wallet for all users. You can use another site to explore deeper (see Section 8).
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The header bar displays on all pages across Steemit to show the Steemit logo, trending/new/hot/promoted tabs, search bar, Post button, user profile pic, and 3 lines for the extended menu.
A user's page shows their unique header with some customizable profile info (see next section for how to do that): cover photo, profile image, display name, reputation, brief about section, number of followers, number of comments, number of posts (the sum of blogs, comments, and replies), number of users this account is following, and location, website, and the date the user joined. |
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Beneath the profile info, we see clickable links for the user's Blog homepage, Comments, Replies, Rewards, and Wallet.
The Settings tab is visible only to your account when you are logged in. |
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Clicking this little icon will change the layout of the blog homepage.
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And we can see the same info we get with every post: author's profile image, author, rep, first tag, when the post was made, thumbnail, title, preview text, post rewards, then the number of votes and comments.
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Because transparency is important here, you can also see the wallet and transaction history of any user. Even though you can see any user's wallet, it is one of the safest crypto wallets in the entire industry!
Steemit is a gateway to the cryptosphere for many people who have never heard of cryptocurrency and just want an option for upgrading their social media experience. You can use and enjoy it for blogging and networking without really understanding the cryptocurrency aspect of things at all, and your earnings and rewards will safely accrue in your wallet until you're prepared to address them.
We'll take a detailed look at the wallet in Section 10 when we address financial transactions.
Steemit is a gateway to the cryptosphere for many people who have never heard of cryptocurrency and just want an option for upgrading their social media experience. You can use and enjoy it for blogging and networking without really understanding the cryptocurrency aspect of things at all, and your earnings and rewards will safely accrue in your wallet until you're prepared to address them.
We'll take a detailed look at the wallet in Section 10 when we address financial transactions.
10. How to set up your profile
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Sign into Steemit using your username & password, then click the round user avatar in the upper right corner.
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A dropdown menu appears.
Go to Settings. 
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Alternatively, you can go to Wallet, then click Settings on Upper Right of Wallet screen.
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From here, you can choose your preferred language, profile pic, cover image, display name, about, location, website, NSFW preferences, and can see a list of your muted users as well.
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Note: You have to use a URL for Profile or Cover Image pic, which means it must be uploaded to the internet somewhere. You can use something like your FB user pic or a free for commercial use pic from pixabay.com. To get the URL, right click the hosted image > Copy Image Address > paste this into profile pic or cover photo bar.
This info will display on your Steemit user page.
11. Making a post
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Click POST button in upper right corner.
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This opens the Post Editor. There are 3 options for composing a post within the Post Editor - Markdown, Editor, or Raw HTML. Markdown is the default option, but the Editor is easiest for beginners who don't know markdown coding. |
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Markdown option looks like this.
There are no format buttons, and there’s a clickable Editor button in the upper right to switch to Editor. You have to know Markdown codes to format in this Editor, BUT you can insert images using Markdown, by drag/drop, pasting from clipboard, OR selecting a file from your computer. |
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If you don't know Markdown codes, click on Editor in the upper right, and a bunch of formatting options appear. |
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You can tell this is the Editor option because it has formatting buttons at the top (Bold, Italics, Strikethrough, Code, Bullets, Numbered List, Quotes, Hyperlink, Break Hyperlink, Insert Image, Header Options, Undo, Redo).
You can also see there is a clickable Markdown button in the upper right corner to switch. Note that images inserted using this Editor option must be hosted elsewhere, and you will copy/paste the URL into the insert image box. |
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The Raw HTML option only appears after you type something into Editor. You can switch back and forth between Editor and Raw HTML, BUT you cannot go back and forth between Markdown and Raw HTML.
Make your selection for which option you want to use to compose your post. Again, Editor is easiest for a beginner if you do not know markdown or HTML codes.
Be aware that if you make changes in Raw HTML, click back to Editor, then make ANY changes there, you will lose ALL changes made in HTML. This can potentially save you a lot of time and frustration at some point.
Choose wisely.
Be aware that if you make changes in Raw HTML, click back to Editor, then make ANY changes there, you will lose ALL changes made in HTML. This can potentially save you a lot of time and frustration at some point.
Choose wisely.
Composing your post
Use a variety of formatting options to add visual appeal and emphasis to your post! Bolds, italics, underlines, and a mix of text size/headers are valuable tools for organization and clear communication.
Compose the body of your post, and format it to your liking. If you are creating a lengthy post, I highly recommend backing up your text in something like a Google or Word Doc - just in case there is any glitch while editing or posting! It’s worth a few extra seconds to back it up than to lose the valuable minutes or even hours you spent composing if something goes wrong.
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Inserting images Images are important to a high quality post! Well-chosen images are visually appealing and deliver a fuller message. To insert images using the Editor, the images have to be hosted somewhere online. You can use any image you took and/or have the rights to, or you can find a "free for commercial use" image from a site like pixabay.com. To get the image address, right click the hosted image > Copy Image Address > paste this into insert image bar. If you are not using your website or something like Fascistbook for hosting images, there are dedicated sites out there for image hosting. If you are using Markdown, you can insert an image directly from your computer by dragging and dropping it, pasting from the clipboard, or looking through your files. |
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The first image in your post will become your thumbnail photo! It can be as important as a catchy title to entice others to read your post. Horizontal photos are better than vertical, as vertical photos may be cut off in undesirable ways.
The ideal size for a crisp image that will also display correctly as a thumbnail is 1680 X 1292 pixels, or smaller images in this 1.3:1 ratio, according to this reliable source.
The ideal size for a crisp image that will also display correctly as a thumbnail is 1680 X 1292 pixels, or smaller images in this 1.3:1 ratio, according to this reliable source.
Do the best you can, but you don't have to be a perfectionist!
If you find that you’ve made a mistake after posting, be it a typo or you want to add more or take something away, you can edit up to 7 days after publishing. However, the blockchain records a version of every single edit. If anyone really wanted to, they could find your original version.
If you find that you’ve made a mistake after posting, be it a typo or you want to add more or take something away, you can edit up to 7 days after publishing. However, the blockchain records a version of every single edit. If anyone really wanted to, they could find your original version.
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Rewards
Now that you've composed a great post with relevant images, you will notice an option for choosing how your post Rewards will be paid out. 100% Power Up which will be delivered as Steem Power at post payout (currently 7 days), Default 50% / 50% is a ratio of SBD and Steem Power, or Decline Payout where you do not generate Rewards on the post. There are several factors to consider when choosing payout options, but the average user likely wants the option that will yield the highest value! That depends on the current price of Steem & SBD - or more accurately, the price of Steem & SBD at post payout (again, currently 7 days from time the post was made). I go into more depth in advanced tutorials. |
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There is also a checkable box to upvote your own post automatically on posting if that’s what you want to happen. It can be checked or unchecked as you compose each post, and the Post Editor will save your last Rewards preference until you change it again.
Note that Rewards options cannot be changed after posting.
Note that Rewards options cannot be changed after posting.
Title
Choose a title to enter in the title bar that is descriptive for your post AND appealing for others to click on! Your title is of the utmost importance for a successful post!
Choose a title to enter in the title bar that is descriptive for your post AND appealing for others to click on! Your title is of the utmost importance for a successful post!
Tags
The last thing to do before posting is to fill in up to 5 tags. These are essentially hashtags that file your post and make it easy for others to search based on the relevant topic. Use only relevant tags to your post, or risk getting flagged by @steemcleaners! Separate each tag with a space.
The last 4 tags can be edited after posting, but the first cannot. Make sure it’s spelled correctly & relevant to your topic!
For inspiration on trending tags to use, you can click on the 3 bars in the upper right corner of Steemit, and scroll down to Explore.
I recommend filling out the tags or title as the very last step, because it is possible to accidentally post before you are ready if all your fields have something entered. For example, if you have title, body, one tag, and try to separate your next tag by hitting enter/return, you will post!
The last thing to do before posting is to fill in up to 5 tags. These are essentially hashtags that file your post and make it easy for others to search based on the relevant topic. Use only relevant tags to your post, or risk getting flagged by @steemcleaners! Separate each tag with a space.
The last 4 tags can be edited after posting, but the first cannot. Make sure it’s spelled correctly & relevant to your topic!
For inspiration on trending tags to use, you can click on the 3 bars in the upper right corner of Steemit, and scroll down to Explore.
I recommend filling out the tags or title as the very last step, because it is possible to accidentally post before you are ready if all your fields have something entered. For example, if you have title, body, one tag, and try to separate your next tag by hitting enter/return, you will post!
Once everything is done, hit that POST button and rejoice!
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FYI, it is customary to make one of your first if not the first post on Steemit an “introduce yourself” post with verification. Say a little about yourself, take a picture of yourself holding a paper with a little note, your username, and today’s date, and tag with introduceyourself.
This will serve as a sort of bio post on Steemit that can be linked to and also proof you are a real person, not a bot or fake account to game the system. It is also common to make immediate connections with experienced Steemians who purposely check introduction posts to find new users they want to support. For example, there is an introduceyourself room in Steemit.chat to share your link. |
Read @quinneaker's Introduce Yourself post here!
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12. Commenting
Commenting is one of the most important parts of gaining recognition on Steemit. It’s how the community can get to know who you are and what you’re about.
If you found an article you really liked or have something valuable to add to the topic, make a comment! Give the author some feedback, or contribute your unique idea or important research.
DON’T spam! It is not a strategy for success to copy/paste the same generic comment to multiple people, or to add links to your own article unless it is somehow relevant to a discussion of the original article.
Check out my profile @quinneaker or @everlove for examples of considerate, valuable comments.
Here's how to make a comment on an article:
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Hit the Reply button in the lower right corner. 
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This box pops up.
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Compose something thoughtful.
You can also include images! Either drag & drop, paste from clipboard, select from your computer, or paste the URL of a hosted image, and it will appear.
Note that markdown formatting is supported if you want to organize your comment for visual appeal.
You will see a preview of your comment appear beneath the Post or Cancel buttons. If you want to continue editing, be sure you are in the box above these buttons!
Comments can be edited after you make them, but just like a post the original is recorded somewhere on the blockchain and anyone can look it up if they really want to.
You can also include images! Either drag & drop, paste from clipboard, select from your computer, or paste the URL of a hosted image, and it will appear.
Note that markdown formatting is supported if you want to organize your comment for visual appeal.
You will see a preview of your comment appear beneath the Post or Cancel buttons. If you want to continue editing, be sure you are in the box above these buttons!
Comments can be edited after you make them, but just like a post the original is recorded somewhere on the blockchain and anyone can look it up if they really want to.
13. Voting
Voting is how people get paid to post on Steemit! It is extremely important and should be done with great care. It’s a complicated topic and I can go into in greater detail in an upcoming tutorial. This is a basic overview.
There is a fixed amount of rewards paid out to Steemit users each day - this is called the rewards pool. As more votes are cast across the platform, the value of each vote drops a little - this is one of many reasons we see some fluctuation in potential payouts over the 7 day payout period.
You can vote as many times as you want, but be aware that the value of each full power upvote you cast decreases by 2% with each full power vote. It takes 24 hours to “recover” your voting weight by 20%. Essentially, you only get 10 full power upvotes a day.
There is a fixed amount of rewards paid out to Steemit users each day - this is called the rewards pool. As more votes are cast across the platform, the value of each vote drops a little - this is one of many reasons we see some fluctuation in potential payouts over the 7 day payout period.
You can vote as many times as you want, but be aware that the value of each full power upvote you cast decreases by 2% with each full power vote. It takes 24 hours to “recover” your voting weight by 20%. Essentially, you only get 10 full power upvotes a day.
New users do not have the option to choose voting weight - every vote a newbie casts is at 100% until you reach a certain amount of SP.
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After you reach a certain level of SP, you get a slider bar on your voting options and can assign 1-100% upvote.
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To cast a vote, hit the UP arrow next to the left of projected post payouts either at the bottom of an article or on a user’s main profile page. Clicking on the drop down arrow next to potential rewards will reveal a list of the top voters for that post. |
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You can also use your voting power to downvote = flag another user, but a downvote should only be used in serious cases of abuse or disagreement over post rewards. It is another issue for another day. For now let me say that it costs a user a vote to cast a downvote, and it takes away from the potential payouts of the author. It is not to be taken lightly.
Lastly, be sure you want to vote at the voting power you have selected! If you feel you voted incorrectly, you are able to change it - but the "corrected" vote burns up part of your 10 full power upvotes per day, and you cannot recover that voting power.
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