I've been thinking a lot about new users and how to create a better Steemit experience for them when they first arrive. I came up with a solution, one that would have helped me a lot when I first arrived, but still doesn't exist. If you're a new user, I'd like to get your opinion on my solution.

Here it is: on the main welcome to Steemit page, there should be an email address, like [email protected] so that new users can get a real, live person to help solve their issues.

If you're a newbie here, what do you think about this idea? I am willing to do this service as I think it could make a real difference in user retention.

When I think back to my first post I made in here, it took me over 2 hours to figure out how to add an image in Markdown. When I tried adding the image, one user tried to help me, but couldn't figure out exactly my issue. It was very embarrassing! This kind of intimidating experience can scare away most normal people. I tried over and over using the sample Markdown code, but there was something hanging me up which I cannot recall now. Any normal person would have given up after 20 minutes. I'm a particularly stubborn person, though, and I viewed this entire thing as a challenge and I refused to give up. Thinking back, though, if there was an email address that was designed specifically to help new users, I would have emailed my issue and had it resolved fairly quickly. I feel that if Steemit hired me as a support person, as on on-call type of help desk, I think perhaps newbies would feel more secure in staying in Steemit.

Another thought is that if an email doesn't resolve the issue, then a Skype call might be a necessary second step. I have some experience doing tech support since I used to work for B&N on the Nook device. I feel that now and into the future, the most valuable resource will be a real, live human, able and willing to give help in real time.

Frustration comes fast to many people, so getting their feet grounded is what all newbies want.

I still remember back a few months ago when one person, an author, who I shall not name sent me a message in Facebook declaring that he was about to give up on Steemit because he felt that his writing was not being well received. At that time he was not getting whale support, and his frustration was mounting. I told him, "You can't give up now. Just keep trying" or something along those lines. Now he's about to eclipse me in many categories. If he had given up a few months ago, he would never have known what Steemit is really like. I would guess he is a lucky one, mainly because he was already a writer.

Not everyone will see the same kind of success. Steemit is a game that each person has to figure out, but I can tell you, the more engagement you stir up, the better your chances are. I've witnessed some Steemit users gain a lot of traction in the past few months not because they're great writers, but because they engage with others on a consistent basis and they have enthusiasm. Steemit is kind of like a religion. You have to believe in it in order to see monetary rewards flow to you.

So, if you're a newbie, what service would have been beneficial to you in those first hours or days here on Steemit? Maybe your feedback will help in figuring out what new things need to be implemented. Would having access to emailing someone be something you'd like to see in the future?

Give Us Your Suggestions And Feedback

Thanks!

A great resource for newbies is: https://www.steemithelp.net/