Hello @rabidoptimism, welcome to steemit. As you just joined steemit newly and as a new person, you need to start by writing your introduction post in newcommers community
When you go to that community, you will write according to the points listed below so that you can be verified.
Your name and age
A country where you reside now
Your area of work or your study
Your experience with crypto
Your hobby and passion, dislike
What sort of posts written by others are you looking for
What sort of posts do you think you'll be creating (these can change, so don't feel locked in.)
How you found Steemit and what you hope to accomplish here.
In addition, you will look for a plain sheet of paper and boldly write your username, date of the day you will upload it and "I love steemit". Take a very clear picture with it while you are standing in front of a building or tree or a car and upload it as the first picture in this post.
Then you are expected to use the following hashtags at the hashtag section
#introduceyourself #achievement1 #nigeria #newcomers #steem
The instructions to the introduction post can be found in the post link below
It is only after you are approved there that you can start writing in other communities. Thanks for your understanding.
I invite you to take part in this ongoing contest that is made especially for newcomers. You will get so many writing topics to write on and you will stand a chance to be supported. I will be waiting to read you ur entry. Just click the link below to read about the contest and write on any topic of your choice in Steem4Nigeria community.