Some helpful usage tips for Steem

Ok, so it's new to you...all shiny and full of expectations, but you've been posting for a week and you're getting like 4 cents worth of upvotes and beginning to wonder why you bothered...so what do you do?

Well, maybe you weren't really shown the way.....or maybe you just missed a few things that could be helpful to you. Either way, these points should help you grow...and more importantly to be patient and consistent. They are in no particular order and I've tried not to go too in-depth so as not to bore you all, so if you need me to expand on anything just comment below and I'll be more than happy!

• Firstly, and some would say most importantly....CHILL! Take it easy....you've entered into a social network and overnight success here is rare. It generally only comes to those that have built large networks on other sites like Facebook or Youtube. You are here to make friends, so find people who like the same things as you and connect with them, interact with them by upvoting, commenting and re-steeming where you deem it necessary
• Create GREAT content...not just good, or average...but first, decide which niche or niches you want to specialise in as this will help you gain followers. If you are continually posting random, non connected blogs, then only people with 'random' interests will follow you.....and who is to know if your 'random' suits their 'random'? If you like photography, make most of your blogs about photography, if you like cryptocurrency, then blog about that....you get the idea
• Be mindful of others...offensive posts are less likely to strike a chord with people and will lessen your enjoyment of the site so try to make positive happy posts and spread a great vibe! No-one wants to be known as the person who moans all the time, or 'that angry guy' - Remember we can all mute you...and if we do that, who will ever see your posts?
• Try to excercise your mind away from the money....yes, we will all get paid....but only when we are creating good content and have built up a good network which as I said earlier, takes time! Enjoy yourself, not only in your own posts, but when browsing others and commenting etc
• Engage more with others and they will engage with you, and your profile will become more prominent around the site. There's no point in coming on Steemit to just write your blogs without getting involved in conversations on other posts you like and generally showing your respect to others for what they are doing....it is 'social' media after all
• Your voting power is not unlimited. Have you noticed sometimes you will upvote someone and no value is added to the counter? That's because after a certain amount of upvotes, your power drops. Try to stick to upvoting less than 25 times daily....this will also lead you only to upvote on posts and comments that you deem worthy, not vote for vote on your friends/followers posts which is not really how the community is supposed to be used
• Post at least once EVERY DAY to keep things active and moving on your account. I try to post at least 3 seperate times throughout each day myself....and also remember, not everything has to be a story or lengthy post. Sometimes a funny video or image can be just as effective, sometimes even more so...mix it up a little
• Include a profile pic of YOU...not your Mum's cat or a random meme...people want to connect with real people!! And also, do an introduceyourself post to let people know what kind of person you are. People will attract to the reality of you

That's it from me for now...of course, there are probably a hundred other pointers I could give you, but my dog is looking at me like the pet food factory just shut down so I better go and feed him! lol

If you think of any other pointers, please add them below...I will edit them into the post later and give you some tag credit of course ;)

Peace out guys!
Ste