Recruiting New Steem Users, When They Ask About Your Tinfoil Hat, Here's What You Say!

One thing I think is important for us as Steemians to talk about is evangelism. No, not Jesus saves evangelism, although if you want to share that, be my guest, it may be an uphill battle. I’m talking about evangelizing the crypto deniers, the people who still think it’s a phase, or a gimmick. The ones that don’t even know what bitcoin is yet.

So, what do you say to them?

I’ve recruited a few, but most were already interested in crypto, or in creative careers, such as writing, at the least, with more open minds. What will it take to truly gain wider acceptance with the mainstream? How can we not just get the message out, but become a household concept?
This movement is in its infancy!

If you’ve ever dreamed of getting in on the ground floor of a big change, wake up, the dream is now the reality. Even bitcoin only has three million investors according to recent estimates. It’s no more than that, at any rate, since many investors likely buy under more than one name.
As I thought about this over the past couple of days, I wondered what it would take. I know I’m not the most technically minded in the bunch, and I’m not really a hardcore anarchist, so maybe that makes me the right person to make a few suggestions. Here’s what I’ve come up with so far.

When they tell you that Crypto isn't real money

Ask them how "real money" is working out

You’ve already run into people saying this crypto thing is a flash in the pan, it won’t work, it’s a scam, it’s sure to end any day now. Ask them how their time in the mainstream fiat currency economy is going. Are they happy with inflation, and interest rates that fluctuate constantly, and money that depreciates, even when interest rates are favorable? Do they like the fact that what a dollar used to buy, in their lifetimes, often costs double?
When they say, sure but that's only for techies, or rare exceptions

Show them your success

I shared with you how my mother-in-law asked me about crypto, a woman with all of her securities licenses, managing a large office full of investment brokers. She knows one thing, I used to need her help from time to time, but now I don’t. She sees my success, because she does my tax return. But, not everyone can see that. So, buy them a steak dinner. Take them out on the town, show them your new car, your bank account, and the fact that your bills are not just caught up, you’re ahead!

Got nothing to show yet?

Share someone else’s success

So, you just got started and have nothing to show for it yet, that’s okay, give them my screenname, I’ll be happy to talk to them. If you can’t find examples of people succeeding on Steemit, first, why are you here? But seriously, are you paying attention. Every day someone posts a story complete with their shopping spree for the day. Once people get a handle on what is possible, and the fact that all kinds of people are making it work, they’ll understand the potential.

When they say they're not willing to risk their money or can't afford to invest

Tell them they can get in for free!

People love free stuff, trust me on this. When they hear that not only will Steemit not charge, but will actually pay them a bit to sign up, they get a weird look on their face. Many immediately get that, see I told you so, it’s a scam look, but remind them of your success! From a random Facebook post knocking steemit as a scam, to over $60k in rewards since last August, I know what I’m talking about! And I’m far from the best success story here! The fact that there was no cost convinced me to try it, after all, what kind of scam gives you money and asks for nothing in return, in fact, offers to pay you even more?

When they try to marginalize the crypto industry

Share news stories with them

When only three million of us are even using something as close to mainstream as Bitcoin, it’s not really that surprising that people don’t know what cryptocurrency is, is it? But, that doesn’t stop Bitcoin, Ethereum, and others from making the mainstream news on a regular, if not daily basis. Share some stories with them about the wealth that is being created, to the point that even world powers like China and Russia are considering issuing their own crypto currencies, although I wonder how that will work. People need to know that what we’re talking about isn’t some isolated thing, it’s a world-wide phenomenon.

When they say they don't have time, or it's too complicated.

Talk to them about their social media usage

Most people are on Facebook if they’re online much at all. With over two billion accounts and growing, many spend time on the site daily, for which they get paid zero, or perhaps even spend money on games, apps and ads. Beyond that, many, especially Americans are on other platforms too, like Twitter, Google Plus, and Pinterest. But, the one thing all of these have in common is how much they will pay you to use them, $0! A casual user here, earning $10 a day, would make $3600.00 a year! That’s enough for a nice vacation, or a decent used car!

When they question the legitimacy, or ask where the money comes from

Show them the documentation

I know of very few applications online that have the level of documentation Steemit has. I’ve been earning my living online for a decade and to say I was impressed with the depth of information available on the site, would be an understatement. From the white paper to the quick start guide, nearly every topic is thoroughly covered. If they’re the type to investigate for themselves, they’ll find plenty to answer their questions.

If they're confused about how it works

Share your stories with them

Especially if you’re getting decent payouts, share your stories. You can share them on social media, email them links, text them links, whatever it takes. Get them on the site, reading content and seeing for themselves what it’s like here. I know when people log in and see a couple hundred bucks at the bottom of one of my stories, they ask a lot of questions, and I’ve gotten several friends to convert.
Here’s why all of this matters!

*Take a look at your wallet. See that number there, the Account Value number? Last Fall, when Steem was up, and the price was twice what it’s been since, those numbers would have been double, but that’s not even scratching the surface of what’s possible.

Picture that number 100x what it is now, there are several coins selling at that price, Ethereum has reached over $300 a coin, can you imagine? As early adopters, which we all still are, we stand to win big if Steemit grows. As new users come, word spreads, investors pay attention, prices go up, we make money!*

Even bigger than that, this is one of the most successful experiments in decentralized economy in history. Yeah, Steemit, right here, right now. With the right development, something like this could serve as a model for a new global economy that could potentially end poverty, without war, or violent states forcing their way on anyone.

So, here’s the challenge, invite a friend, invite two. I try to spend a little time each week sharing my stories and talking about the success I’ve found here. I’ve got several real world friends that have opened accounts, and I’m working on getting them active. Every new user increases the momentum, and that’s what we need. Things are on the right track and if we all work together, this thing could take off and double, triple, quadruple in value in a very short time.