I'm home from my weekend in the Eastcoast and am back upside down in Toronto with Willow and Phil safe and sound.
Traveling gave me lots of time to read and dive into more Steem world and learn new things such as understanding why/how people use bots. I have never used bots and don't feel a need to BUT when I was only a day or two on the platform and didn't know anyone or anything I remember seeing those trending posts and thinking OH MY GOSH how do people do that and realizing it was bots and thinking... "uhhhh is that how this works?" Relax Minnow pals- you don't have to spend money on bots to get traction or connections on Steem.
Here is what I have kept forefront of my mind in my first couple months of Steeming that I hope inspire you in the creations you want to put forward on the platform.
COMMUNITY
I came onto Steemit with no expectations but committed to putting myself out there- early on I was gifted a ticket to Steem Creators Conference in Toronto by @shadowspub who had won the ticket from a contest hosted by @anomadsoul and @coruscate. What I learnt at that conference, only a few weeks into my journey on Steem, was that THIS PLACE is about the community, not the money. The price of Crypto may fluctuate but meaningful relationships are consistent and valued here. This week is my first time really earning anything (which is all going toward my short film Barbara-Anne https://steemit.com/film/@lifesacircus/8bm1r6l8)And ultimately the rewards gave me a HUGE confidence boost and motivation to keep on Steemin' n Dreamin' and creating the content I'm passionate about.
AUTHENTICITY
I believe in life that if you truly show up, if you follows what lights your soul on fire and are present in your life you will receive. The same applies here on Steem. It's not about doing what you think is "right" it's about doing YOU! Who are you, what excites you and makes you jump for joy, cry your heart out or laugh till your belly aches. Share that, show that, believe in that and you will thrive on Steem (and it'll be more fun) Connect, comment, share and interact with lots of people and be yourself. You don't have to be fake about it. Actually read the article, watch the video and make an genuine comment if you feel compelled to do so.
YOU GET OUT WHAT YOU PUT IN
This is a big community spread out around the world and just because you post something you think is great doesn't mean it will get eyes on it. Whether you want to curate more or post more you have to make the effort on the platform to get to know your fellow creators. What I'm learning, for some people bots are the quickest way to get exposure but I think there is a more authentic way to do it and paying bots take away from the genuine community building that is happening here.
TALENT ALWAYS RISES TO THE TOP
Being in the Entertainment industry this is something I hold near and dear that keeps me sane. I cannot control a lot of things when it comes to casting but I truly believe the hacks get bored or exposed and real talent will sustain. This can take YEARS but that's okay and really none of my business- I'm busy running my own race. The same is true on here- the trending and big up voted posts will gain attention but if the majority of their audience are bots who really cares? Does it really have value?
Doing these things has made Steem a wonderful experience and I am feeling SO MUCH LOVE from all the incredible Steemians! No bots necessary. It hasn't even been a full two months here and I feel so at home, inspired and supported. This week I launched a @fundition for my first short film I'm trying to make and this week I made over $10 dollars for the first time and then over $45 (almost at $50!) for the first time WHICH MADE ME PEE MY PANTS (okay maybe not actually pee, but maybe...) I was minnow of the month thanks to a new initiative by @coruscate (make sure you apply minnows!!!) and I did an interview with @clixmoney and met the @dcooperation community. I have had help from folks like @welcomewagon, @themesopotamians, had my first delegation from @blocktrades and lots of support from my Steemy friends like the @steembirds and @anomadsoul who I met at the Steem Creators Conference in Toronto ran by the dynamic duo @larrymorrison and @steemcafe! Go check all of them out. They are pro, fun and full of tips and advice. Believe me- they will help you if you ask, participate and reach out. There are more who aren't mentioned here but I'm sure you get the point... It becomes a snowball of connections and interactions!
So, WELCOME new Minnow pals there's a little slice of where my head is at! Lots of information will come flying at you but don't stress, you'll figure it out and find friends and don't need to be "trending" to have a good time ;)
@shadowspub who had won the ticket from a contest hosted by 
@anomadsoul and 
@coruscate. What I learnt at that conference, only a few weeks into my journey on Steem, was that THIS PLACE is about the community, not the money. The price of Crypto may fluctuate but meaningful relationships are consistent and valued here. This week is my first time really earning anything (which is all going toward my short film Barbara-Anne https://steemit.com/film/@lifesacircus/8bm1r6l8)And ultimately the rewards gave me a HUGE confidence boost and motivation to keep on Steemin' n Dreamin' and creating the content I'm passionate about.
