The day has finally come when I join the dolphin ranks of Steemit.

It took 232 days here but I've made it!

I don't know for sure, just how much and I bought into steem and how much I've withdrawn along the way. (PS anyone know of a blockchain explorer that keeps track of all that?). I know we accept steem through our online bullion store and some of that get's powered up. I also know I've withdrawn about $2000 dollars worth to invest in other cryptos and probably about $500 I have purchased silver with, but overall I feel that I've powered up at least 90%-100% of my earnings to date.

You can do it too!

Source

Be consistent

For anyone asking how it can be done. I'd say the most important part is sticking to it! Post once-twice a day. Post good, interesting and valuable content. I may not write a novel every post, but I always have at least 100 words and a few photos. I'm not one to just drop a photo or video link.

Comment and Network

I also cultivate my network and try to comment a lot. I check out a few regular buddies posts, I check a few tags and communities I'm in, I comment on new users and the occasional whale. If you crunch the numbers above based on my whole time here on steemit, it looks like I comment around 21.5times/day. I bet it's more around 30 times/day (If you omit the first few months when I had no idea what the heck was going on and wasn't always active).

Join Something

Most of my best times here on steemit has been joining something! Join a community, there's are some great communities here supporting good quality content and giving you a place to hang out. The @minnowsupportproject is massive and has some great resources, it was also be a but overwhelming at times. #thealliance is a great and friendly group. You could also check out @steemitbloggers, or the crypto empire which a few new favorites of mine. Of course there are communities for whatever interest you have like #steemsilvergold (my home and favorite community). There's also a great woodworking and homesteading community that are very established. I'm sure you could find just about anything else that interests you.

It's not only communities to join, but events and contests. Some of them that are ongoing for a few days or weeks are so much fun to be a part of. My best times here were writing for the steemlords or mastersoftheuniverse events. I built such strong bonds with my now friends who also participated. Don't hesitate to try your creative writing juices and have fun. I've been running a steemfitnesschallange for a few months now and it's been another great fun way to connect with some other users and I feel a strong connection with them. There are also other events also ongoing that will build this comradery and connection.

Source

I try to give more and do more than I receive here on steemit.

This is my last piece of advice, do good. Be quick to delegate some steem power or donate some to a cause. Donate your time and energy to help mentor and support new users. Reply to all your comments. Answer any private messages you may get on discord or steemit.chat. Hold giveaways and show your appreciation. Just go out there and be good without looking for anything in return. I think being a good person here on steemit (and in life) is so important and I feel foolish reminding and telling people. It's not the key to being rewarded and I'm not suggesting it for that reason. It's just how you should be!

The next question now is what to do next

1. Do I slow down on powerup up and start withdrawing more for some spending on silver or maybe even some other luxury like a new computer or a proper desk, or maybe a vacation.
2. Do I withdraw more to invest in other cryptocurrencies. I feel like I'm finally starting to understand and feel more confident in cryptocurrency land.
   or
3. Do I keep powering up full Steem ahead!

I am torn and personally thinking of just balance them all a bit. My next big steemit goal is being able to drop that full $1-100% upvote. I would just love to be able to reward some new users and struggling minnows with that huge psychological win of making a full $1 on their posts. I may just put my head down again, power up and reach that point before slowing down. I don't want to remove any more delegation and do plan to continue to keep 50% of my SP delegated to other projects within steemit.

Lastly I'd just like to thank all my friends and supporters here on steemit that has made this possible and excited to continue growing together.

Footer by @bearone