What is Steem's Best Path to Adoption?

avatar

Borderless.png

I won't keep you guessing, I think it's through attracting content creators.

Now I don't mean to say that I think Steem should only be for content creators, or even that that should be the eventual "main" thing. I think as I mentioned it's the best path that we have to onboard as many people as possible.

Why?

So the thing that Steem has that other social applications don't is the money game. Whether you like it or not, that's a big part of the value proposition. I wish people would accept and lean into this instead of denying the obvious reality.

People don't use social media to earn money, they use it to connect to people and be social. To see what people are saying about certain topics, to consume tons of content quickly and easily. These are all things Steem is horrible at and will probably remain horrible at for quite some time. I think the major social platforms have two main value propositions.

  • Everyone is on them
  • They are maximally convenient, easy and user friendly.

Again, this is not something Steem is going to be able to compete with anytime soon. When I say compete, I don't mean Steem should be trying to "take down" these companies, I think honestly suggesting that would be pretty naive, what I mean is it's highly doubtful anyone will use Steem INSTEAD of Twitter for the same reasons they use Twitter. It is highly doubtful that anyone will use Steem INSTEAD of Facebook, for the same reasons that they use Facebook.

That said, I think Steems best chance, our best on ramp to mass adoption is empowering content creators and helping them to be successful. To the point that they want to bring their massive audiences to Steem.

I think people should understand that asking a content creator to tell their followers to go to a different platform is not a small ask. These followings are typically something that these people have built over YEARS through tons of hard work, and studying, and failing and succeeding. It's a precious resource that they've cultivated through their own hard work, blood sweat and tears. When we ask them to bring their following to Steem, we're asking that they entrust this platform with that asset.

Analogy Time!

Imagine a content creator as the leader of this huge parade of people. The people support their leader because they offer them something they value, whether it's entertainment, education, whatever. For the leader, the people in their parade are their livelihood.

As Steemians, we're like a group of people saying, "Hey! Bring your people to our party, forget that Youtube party, and especially the Facebook or Instagram party, ours is so much better AND we'll even pay you a little sumthin sumthin for showing up.

The leader says, "I'll go first, to see if I'm going to actually bring my parade and risk pissing them off."

The leader gets here, and turns out it's a total shitshow. People are burning potatoes on the front lawn, and screaming at each other about the fact that they're burning potatoes. Everyone in the party warmly welcomes the newcomer as soon as they get there and indeed does tuck a few bucks in his/her pocket as a thanks for coming. They then proceed to totally ignore them while they only talk shop about topics the newcomer is totally ignorant of.

The newcomer then starts dancing the way they do normally at other parties to which we then inform them that we don't take kindly to dancing like that here, THIS is how we're going to need you to dance if you want to be one of US.

Newcomer says, "Fuck this, I'm out!" Then we all continue to complain about the lack of newcomers.

Analogy FIN

So I think Communities are the first step to us getting out of this vicious cycle. The idea that now I can create my own Community that I own can moderate, and where I can dictate my own culture, takes this analogy and makes it to where I can invite that newcomer into MY ROOM in the Steem house party, and I can say "Dude, you can dance however you want. You want to do the single image shuffle? It's all good. I know that's what you're used to and I think it's great, if someone doesn't like it, they can gtfo of my room"

But...

That's just the first step. I need more. I need my own DJ, I need my own bar, I need to stop with this analogy.

Basically we need tools to be able to help people succeed. Specifically, in case you were wondering when @midlet was going to mention Donations/Tips again, the wait is over! :D We need this yesterday, last year, a decade ago. Steem Power is a game breaking character in the game of Steem, it's too important. Too much relies on it, and it's too necessary to participation in the system. Creating more accessible features around the simple concept of the transfer is the bridge from brand new user to a fully invested cult leader like myself.

We also need more powerful sharing features. Allow me to reintroduce my enhanced Resteem idea, this time not forgetting Resteem + Comment.

RaNP.jpg

I don't feel like making a new graphic, but imagine there is a third option that says

"Resteem + Comment"
"Share the contents of this post as a new post from your blog and leave commentary. This option will split the rewards to of this post between the original poster(80%) and you(20%).

I think if you want to change the beneficiary split to something custom, you're probably advanced enough to just do all this manually.

This effectively neutralizes the 7 day payout problem, which I think limits the type of content shared on Steem and incentivises lower value regular frequency posting, and instead incentivises people to create high value content that people would share for the long term. ie Helping people be successful.

Think about it. What value does content have on Steem? It's to engage and bring users to Steem.

How does this correlate to the 7 day payout period?

It doesn't at all even in the slightest. These things have nothing to do with each other. If there is one video on Steem that brings a million people here, would we be better served if it were 100 videos bringing in the same million people? NO! It doesn't matter whether it's with a lot of content, or only a few pieces of content, what matters is that contents ability to bring people to Steem and currently the system directly acts AGAINST this effect by burying all content regardless of quality. Also it doesn't incentivise content creators to share their most valuable content because they wouldn't be rewarded fairly for the potential value they could provide, and it doesn't incentivise sharing, because the benefits of sharing content older that 7 days is reduced to almost nothing. It's all a bit backwards.

If we can get content creators to try out Steem,(which is undoubtedly something we CAN do, because we've already done it before plenty of times, the problem is keeping them) then give them powerful tools that they can use to succeed and especially to empower their communities to support them in new and innovative ways, this is how we get what everyone wants.

More and better content for people that want to consume content, more people for the people that want to use Steem socially, more money flowing to empower entrepreneurs to build businesses, and incentivise developers to build applications.

I think this is the best path forward. What do you think? Letme know in the comments.



0
0
0.000
27 comments
avatar

@tipu curate

0
0
0.000
avatar

Thanks @revisesociology! How can I become a @tipu curator?

0
0
0.000
avatar

I think there's a nomination process, but nominations are closed atm.

However, somewhat oddly I just asked in the Discord server and cardboard made it so. Perhaps because you've got a good rep he'll add you like he did with me, that was only about 2 weeks ago.

There's a link via the website - https://tipu.online/investors_data

There's a link to the discord bottom left.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I resonate 100% with what you said, including the analogy.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Sweet, I was hoping it didn't get too abstract haha.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Resteemed :)
Great post. I totally agree with what you said. Steemit will never replace reddit, Twitter, Facebook ... for the reasons you pointed out. I also see it steemit as a platform for content creators. And rewarding good content is something actually still lacking on the net. This is where the potential lies (amongst others).

I also agree with the 7 day payout problem. I have heard this from someone who I wanted to on board. He just lost interest after he saw that he didn't get any rewards. If I were able to resteem this with redirecting the rewards, it would definitely improve the situation.

We need more posts like this to keep the changes coming :)

0
0
0.000
avatar

Newcomer says, "Fuck this, I'm out!" Then we all continue to complain about the lack of newcomers.

This sentence makes me laugh because is something true!

0
0
0.000
avatar

Haha, we've all seen it happen a million times.

0
0
0.000
avatar

For sure, people need to feel more free here. Setting so much rules for them will not keep them here for a long time. We already have those rules for a long time to not spam and to create an original content and that's more than enough. Also considering steem just a social network is a good idea as well. If someone wants to share a picture a day and nothing more, why not to do so like in @appics people are doing. If they want only to share their reports with @actifit or a video with @dtube, let them do so. Why to flag that if that's original work they share. After all like you said, they can't earn more after 7 days, but their content will stay here forever and may generate income for steemit from ads. We shouldn't be so strict with newcomers for sure. They need to feel home.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Exactly. I think appics is really doing a good job of onboarding people and we should embrace them vs pushing them away. Same with all the others you mentioned.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I agree we all cannot write great posts about stuff others might want to read but, many of us want to share our daily life @appics, @actifit or @dtube.

I also like the resteem and comment giving renewed life to older posts that someone finds after 7 days.

0
0
0.000
avatar

"Resteem + Comment"
"Share the contents of this post as a new post from your blog and leave commentary. This option will split the rewards to of this post between the original poster(80%) and you(20%).

This is indeed a great idea. How do we start a campaign with the witness to implement these changes? I would go along with it.

Also, very good analogy.

0
0
0.000
avatar

I agree completely. When I first came across Steemit, I was attracted to the fact that it was essentially not exactly a social network, but a content-creation platform. That alone sets it far apart from other social media sites.

Posted via Steemleo

0
0
0.000
avatar

We need to realize what our strengths are and use them, instead of constantly trying to be something we're not.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Like it or not MONEY is our USP. It ain't NUMBERS, it ain't SIMPLICITY, it ain't EASE OF USE.

We got $$$...

Crude, blunt, but effective... (if used correctly, following the manufacturer's recommended dosage).


Like the Resteem idea - not sure it wouldn't be gamed horrendously though. Would need some safeguards etc.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Short answer is, abusers would abuse it, but most people here aren't abusers so I think the positive impact would overwhelmingly outweigh the negative.

0
0
0.000
avatar

Dear @midlet

I found your post because of @phgnomo latest publication

Interesting choice of topic buddy. And solid read.

How does this correlate to the 7 day payout period?

Very true. 7 days payout period sucks. On top of that it build some particular mindset - we all start to believe that if post is reaching 7 days then it's already VERY OLD. Almost like it was written in different age :) Outdates and uninteresting.

Upvoted already
Cheers, Piotr

0
0
0.000
avatar

The best path is to build as many dApps and partner with other unique blockchains

0
0
0.000
avatar

But content can cost money to host online. Meaning it can be tough to an extent. Text costs less money. Video can be bulkier. So, I agree that we should always try to help content creators and that is why I like things like IPFS, Bit Torrent, P2P, etc. Not to say we can't try at least to improve Steem, Gab, Minds, Bitchute, Brighteon, Banned.video, etc. I like decentralization. I love Bitcoin. I love witnesses. People should be paid to help host content online. Perhaps, Steem could find ways to pay people to host content, to be witnesses so to speak. I know Steemit has witnesses. But I feel that there might not be as many Steem witnesses as there are Bitcoin miners.

0
0
0.000