I joined #Steemit back in July 2017. Signing up was one of the first things I did when starting out in crypto. I joined because I was tired of 'the big blue' social website. And its anti-social practices as a company.
Basically, I realized that 'you can't retire on likes'. And you possibly could on Steem upvotes. So I thought I would make the trade.
When I first started on Steemit, I blogged about natural medicine but decided to stop early on. At about post #5. After all, I write about that stuff on my company website, so why double up? Especially when I could write about pop culture and things like Bitcoin that have an audience a bazillion times greater than any natural medicine blog ever would.
More audience, means more tips. At least, in theory. Alas, however, this has not been the case. But it really doesn't matter as I will explain later on.
So I began blogging about Bitcoin on Steemit. My new sport.
Venture Capital
Back when I first started on Steemit, it was at a time that I was looking to reinvent my company. Or rather, find a new line of income outside of natural medicine. My company Www.Skyflowers.co had been around for 20 years and was 'doing okay', but to build the infrastructure that it needs to go worldwide, I would need an injection of cash to take it to the next level.
While I had cash flow, I never could crack more than a steady trickle. I needed a hit of cash. And so began looking outside of natural medicine to find my 'venture capital'. For 20 years I had looked for support in that field. So now, after 20 years I decided to move beyond the walled garden of natural medicine and look to the world of investment for backing.
As mentioned earlier, likes on Facebook don't support the growth of a company. Especially a company with the objectives I have in mind.
After having come across crypto in July 2017 ( first stop was Trevon James, Crypto Nick and #BitConnect, which I never partook of ), I spent time every day reading, learning and ferreting out investment opportunities. Then when December hit, and crypto soared, I was convinced I was in the right place.
Crypto was going to fund my project. And maybe, a few little extras.
Blah, Blah, Blogging
As the price of crypto climbed in Dec & Jan, I blogged up a storm.
And continued blogging about the decline of the market. A period that interested me more than the boom, when investing is easy. This declining market interested me because you could plainly see 'the psychology of the yellow lambourghini' in telegram groups, bad investment strategies and 'investment depression'. Telegram groups were chock full of low-grade thinking about investment, despite the progress crypto is making in industry.
The divergence between speculation vs real world industry fascinates me as I am a psychology buff. How can you think poorly of an asset class that is gaining ground in the real world. And virally so? Are these people mental?
All fodder for a blogger!
Turning Freelance
While the tips on Steemit have been non existent, I continued blogging and building an audience. Then about 2 months ago, my follower count exploded for some reason. Compared to what it was, at least. I began picking up a number of followers each week.
The real pay off came when I began writing articles, freelance. Which were picked up by companies and startups 'listening' to social media and Google alerts.
Given the feedback, I wrote coin reviews, opinion pieces and also provided crypto feedback - both on and off Steem. Given the amount of ICO's coming onto the market, I saw there was an opportunity to claim some of the millions of dollars being thrown at marketing.
All by blogging about coin companies hungry for promotion.
Eventually, I began writing coin reviews and submitting them directly to these companies. As Steemit is an esteemed blogosphere, I leveraged my growing social cred and went direct to the source. While the rewards have not been lavish to say the least, I can see that I am on the right track.
The other day I interviewed the CEO of #BlockVest, a huge crypto-hedge fund that is starting up in the US. All based on a review I wrote. We are still in talks and there may be some other work to come out of it. Which I am all too happy to #Shill as that project is a goldmine. Especially in the wake of Trumps Dodd Frank amendments to investing in the US.
#Pigzbe, the kids-crypto piggy wallet, is another company I am looking to form close ties with. I have spoken directly to the team several times, providing feedback about their ICO and marketing. A crypto-toy company that could potentially branch out into education is something I can see a bright future in.
Those are just a couple of the companies I have been chatting to.
The point is, strategically, I am moving away from 'blogging for upvotes' on Steem and into freelance writing & direct advising for a select group of companies. Which suits me... down... to... the... ground.
Blogging, for the sake of filling up the internet with my thoughts, has never been my aim. Providing a good read, offering useful information or tangible advice has always been my goal.
So, if I can do that and by-pass the whole internet-blogger thing, then I'm happy. But blogging is where you practice your craft, so I can see the value in it for now.
To be honest I don't know how many people actually read my Steemit articles or not. At this point, it really doesn't matter. What matters is the companies I write about pick them up on their social media radars. They all listen out. So my posts are for their ears.
One of these days, one of these companies is going to connect with my particular style. And that will be that.
It's interesting that back in post #100 I wrote about the crappy tips on Steemit and was thinking about quitting my Steemit blog. Now in post #200 I really don't care about the tips because the real money to be made is writing freelance. My moving away from 'blah, blah, blogging' to writing directly for companies ( that I see huge value in ) is exactly what I am aiming for.
And where want to be. Blogging on the internet in the hope of 100 likes is not what interests me. Influencing people in power is.
Thanks for following the blog.
Brendan Rohan - Indie developer of 'next gen' natural medicine from Melbourne, Australia
Www.Skyflowers.co ( see "botany" tab for the plant research )
Www.ClinicalFlowerTherapy.com
Social @iSkyflowers
YouTube Skyflowers.Tv
If you support natural medicine and an independent research project that began in 1997, then steem me. The creds I get will help me provide a solid body of information that future generations can build upon.
DISCLAIMER: This article and all information on this channel & all content is offered purely for educational & entertainment purposes. Always do your own research when investing money and seek the help of a registered financial advisor.