My Thoughts On Manual Curation

Manual curation is time consuming. It can feel like being "an octopus playing whackamole," as @thebugiq so aptly put it. There’s no way I can get around to supporting everyone each day in the ever-growing community I’ve found through Steemit, though I try.

I really do. I have a running joke with @topkpop: “I’m trying to catch up,” I’ll say.

And we’ll laugh. ‘Cause there’s no such thing.

But manual curation has felt like the right thing for me, thus far, so let's go deeper into my reasonings. I'd love to hear your thoughts, as well.

ocean

Note: All photos in this post are mine, taken in San Juan del Sur, Nicaragua. I’m including peaceful pictures to lower my stress levels and help me stop thinking about all the posts I’m not reading and commenting on as I’m writing this one. Also, Steemit is an ocean, right? Ah, the soothing sound of the waves...

My two cents on manual curation and community building.

This post was actually born in the #steemsugars chat on discord, when @gabyoraa appeared and a few people said hello. I came in, saw a comment regarding bots, and left this response as a very lengthy welcome:

I do 100% manual curation. If you build community and put out high-quality content, persevere and you will do just fine. It comes down to making friends and supporting each other. This is a great community!

My two cents: Do what you can, but, to give you an idea, I try to upvote and comment on at least 3 other people's posts every time I drop one of mine in post-promotion. Often I'll end up visiting and supporting 5 or more.

If you show up, leave thoughtful comments, and upvote as your SP allows, you'll make friends. Talking in discord also is a major help. You get to know people. I've made SO many friends, and I have so much fun! Welcome to Steemsugars.

That's my perspective, of course. You do you. But it's possible to do it all via community, as many people are also curators. Have fun. Steem on!

Gaby was kind enough to thank me for my rambling "advice," though I hate to actually give advice. I know she'll find her own way. Everyone has a different approach.

I’ve heard some say leave 20 comments for every post you put on your blog. Others (myself included) are involved in a friendly curating competition run by @abh12345.

I still don’t believe in using voting bots to boost my own posts. I don't have issues with others using them, but I’ll stick to community and posting quality content in hopes of bigger marine mammals giving me a boost.

Did I mention my feed? No. That’s because I hardly look at it.

My primary place to find posts is on discord groups, through Pimp Your Post Thursday with @shadowspub, and seeing resteems on friends’ blogs.

ocean

Look at that blue. So peaceful. Ahhhh... Deep breaths.

Considering a curation trail.

There’s been talk of a curation trail in one of the groups I’m part of, and I’ve been weighing my thoughts on this.

On the one hand, if my voting % is turned way down, I have to ask, “What’s the point?” Wouldn’t it be better for me to be able to vote 30%, 50%, or even 100% on some of those posts?

On the other, the temptation of knowing I’m supporting everyone in my group without actually having to get to all of their posts is pretty appealing. I trust the curator and know the quality of content is going to be good…

But I’m still on the fence, because I’d rather read what I’m voting on first. Maybe I just have control issues. Lol! (This is totally possible.)

I’m also considering becoming a curator for @curie or @ocd, if they’ll have me, which would mean joining a curation trail. This trail I’d jump on willingly, having seen the caliber they’re choosing to reward and having been generously supported by @curie myself.

It’s been fun to see posts that have blown me away be rewarded from curation groups in the service of supporting under-valued content. I love how many of my friends have been Curied! That said, I’m still not sure if I’m ready to dedicate the time these curation guilds require. I feel like I’m still learning to swim in the Steemit/Discord sea.

Seriously, how did I end up in so many discord servers?!

Oh yeah, ‘cause there’s no end to the awesomeness people are creating in connection with Steemit. That, and @thekittygirl keeps dropping server invites into chats and I keep clicking on them. Lol!

ocean

Yes, we need another ocean shot. Look at this placid bay. Ah, so nice. Calms me right down, which I need, since I could easily be running over to discord to chat with dozens of people from around the world. A wonderful thing, but I must focus and finish this post!

Tips for manual curation:

Join discord servers where you feel at home. Have fun there. The relationships I’ve built on discord transfer to Steemit in myriad ways.
Attend the PYPT parties, hosted by @shadowspub, or other voice-chat virtual meet-ups.
Spend time in comments. Read them carefully and see if you can find new friends there.
If someone comments on your post, do your best to visit one of theirs and leave a comment if you find something that interests you. I’m not suggesting you automatically give upvotes for upvotes or follows for follows, but reciprocity counts. If someone genuinely reaches out, it’s nice to do the same.
READ THE POST before commenting! This should go without saying but... it doesn’t always happen, and if your comment shows you didn’t read, the person who spent time writing the post is going to know it!

More tips for comments:

Read the post. I said that already, but it stands repeating.
When you find something you connect with, latch onto that. Maybe copy a sentence so you can quote the author and tell them how much you liked that bit of writing.
Add something to the conversation. When your comment enhances the value of the post, you’re more likely to make a genuine connection, get noticed, and possibly get rewards.
Upvote comments you appreciate as your SP allows. (This links to a post about comments and success on Steemit. Well worth the read.)
Respond to anyone who takes the time to leave a meaningful comment on your own blogs. Maybe you don't have time to get to all of them, but do your best! These people took time to respond to your post. Reward your readers!

One of my favourite things about Steemit is how much discussion evolves around every sort of topic, and how many posts link to other posts, inviting me farther down the endless rabbit hole.

Comments can be just as valuable as posts themselves, and can inspire new initiatives, such as @zipporah’s recent run-in with a certain grouchy kitty, and the conversations that have evolved from her determination to bring her own flair of diplomacy to the platform.

We evolve as human beings when we listen and talk to each other, when we are willing to see from more than one perspective. Sometimes that means we’re willing to disagree, but growth can come from healthy debate, too. Comments are a great place for that!

ocean