After a few months of trying to figure out how to use this platform myself I have compiled a list of general usage tips to increase your reach and returns using Steemit.
Before you post your original work make sure you proof read the content to reduce the number of spelling mistakes. Consider if you could have used proper markdown formatting and try writing longer post.
You can edit anything in a post, except for the main category in your tags. It is also possible to delete a submitted post until it get a reply in the comments.
Try including at least one image, which also acts as your posts thumbnail cover photo.
Publish posts between 00:00-07:00 CET to hit the larger, American audience (Or configured towards an other audience, if your post is written in any other language than English).
Try hitting Trending by spreading awareness of your post, or pay for the post to be Promoted.
Use the most fitting and relevant tag as the first tag. This tag will be your posts main category tag, and can not be changed after publication.
Make sure the tag is relevant to the content of the post, to help other Steemians to find if once it has been published. You should also add any relevant tags to your post, but no more than 5 tags.
Another user on Steemit mentioned that if you don't use all five tags your post is less likely to fall into the main category feed.
You can find more info on tags by pressing the menu button (hamburger menu) in the top, right corner and selecting Explore. There you will find the most popular tags on Steemit, and see the number of posts, comments and the total payout per tag.
Upvote your own posts, but do so after 30 min. You could consider using some resteem- or upvoting bot before you upvote your own posts, to increase author and curation rewards.
Note that you cannot increase payment the last 12 hours, meaning no votes on your own post the final 12 hours.
To maximize your curation trail you could join Curie. Visit 
You should also use your STEEM POWER to Power Up. This will extend you posts reach on this network.
Follow like minded people on this network and engadge them in the comment section.
Steemit provides multiple resteem- and upvote bot alternatives. Try spreading your post by using one of the many resteem- and upvoting services provided on this platform.
Follow them and read more about them to see how they are used.
To use any of these services you go to your Wallet and press the amount of STEEM DOLLAR you have. Select Transfer and a popup appears. Enter the name of the bot you would like to transfer SBD to, and the amount you want to transfer.
Add the URL to the your post as a memo.
Here is a list of some of the resteem services I have tried here on Steemit:
(This is Steemits official resteem bot)
There are probably lots of other services, which I haven't discovered myself yet.
Upvote user content you like, but waiting 30 minutes before you do divides the curation rewards between the original poster and you. Remember there are also awards for posting comments, so if you like a post leave a comment.
To ensure your Voting Power stays high only upvote 10-20 posts a day.
All you users statistics can be found at steemd.com, including your recent activity. Add an @ and your username to go directly to your userpage to view all your personal stats.
That's all you need to know! Good luck and Steem on!
Like what you see? Upvote, resteem and follow me 
