Quality Content, Quality Content... NO! Networking is where it is at!

Quality Content was a mantra when I first logged into SteemIt in August of 2016.  It seemed like a bad idea then and it still does. Yet, I see many are giving that advice again.  I've written about it many times and when I made this comment on a post last night, I thought I would bring it up again.

Many people miss the point that social networks are more about friends and attention then they are about "Content".Think about typical Internet interactions... You like to see your friends' kids, but you probably don't surf pictures of "Stranger's Kids". Well, because that would be hella creepy.  People who know you or know who you are ... Are interested in what you have to say. People who don't... They likely will never notice your perfectly punctuated, neatly formatted post.

MAKE Friends. I don't care who tells you to do to make quality content... Make friends.
Be interesting...
Have I mentioned that you should make friends? :)  

If you buy into the idea that traffic and engagement equals investors, then stop making people feel like they have to be Shakespeare to make a post, we need to find a balance.   I don't "Grade" your post, I read it and engage with what you wrote about.  Recently someone was advocating  that is was a positive thing to spend a lot of time editing a picture  (two-weeks) I have thought back to that post several times and just wondered who the OP is trying to appeal to.  

Three days into my Steem experience, I was already baffled by the idea that end-users were being coached to write perfect little essays with formatted pictures.   At the time of this post, I hadn't even learned to add photos yet.  

https://steemit.com/currency/@whatsup/my-arrogant-marketing-advice

I have been reading articles on how to write good articles, how to get noticed and how to earn.  That is not what made Social Media a hit.  Social Media is a hit, because you can find people to connect with on several levels.  Friends, Family, people who live in your city, people who like to debate a specific topic, etc.  So, you aren't just roaming through random content, you are reading and reacting to those with whom you have a connection.
 

Another time I brought up this confusing idea

https://steemit.com/steemit/@whatsup/quality-content-that-is-just-silly-and-would

 I find all of the focus on quality content confusing. Want to be big? Make it interesting (which isn't always the same as Quality) Make it easy, make it friendly, and allow people to receive feedback. (such as likes or votes more often) Nobody wants to write in a quiet abyss, hoping for a whale. I know people want to make money, but at the expense of not gainning as many new users seems to limit the potential of this unbelievably awesome idea. 

Here are my impressions on my first day:

https://steemit.com/steemit/@whatsup/review-of-my-first-day-of-steemit

... but how the mission I had read about "Free Speech" and "Social Media" wasn't reflected in the posts I read, and in my opinion, the odd obsession with writing talent. Something I have never before seen when referencing Social Media. 

There are Author guildes out there and pure blogging sites as well.  Most people do not know the name of these sites.   During this time while we wait for Communities and SMTs if you are new and struggling..  Struggling is normal even when the site and user-base were much smaller we struggled with getting attention.  If I don't know something about you, why do I want to read your article?  Make excellent content, but more importantly make friends.  Social Media is not about getting an excellent grade in English 101 it is about a Social Network. Networking is the key.  We should stop giving new-users bad advice that frustrates them.

If you doubt me, read how many posts talk about Circle Jerks and Whales only upvoting their friends.  A lot of it is true, but it isn't an evil plot, it is human nature and the way humans do business.

Create Engagement, Join the Discussion, Make Friends and Support them.  

@whatsup