As a content marketer and social media consultant, I've gotten all kinds of approaches when interviewing with potential clients. But, by far the best question I was ever asked was this one.

If you could only share one thing with us about content marketing, what would it be?

I didn't hesitate, because this is something I've spent years doing, day in and day out and I'm going to share my tip, but first, let's talk about what we're doing here.

We are building the world's first all digital, online economy.

It's true. There are a few others trying it, but we've actually accomplished it. We're not self-contained, by any means, but we have all the ear marks of an economy. We engage in production, through content publishing and digital development on the blockchain, and we have a market, where goods and services are exchanged in a common currency. We've proven it can be done.

Our economy is more and more impacting the "real world" around us as well. It is only a matter of time until the first steemer is able to walk int a dealership and buy a brand new car, without exchanging his coins for fiat.

Since we are paving the way for others who will build on top of us, I'd like to suggest that it's important what kind of foundation we lay.

And that has a lot to do with the answer I gave to that client. It's at the heart of everything I do here, from sharing my fiction to starting dolphin school, it is the one passion that has driven me through every career I've ever followed,and that was a journey, believe me.

What we build here, may be accessed decades, or even centuries from now. So, what will it be? What is our legacy? Are we just here to pat ourselves on the back, and cheer on our favorite crypto coins, or can we get down to the real work of building our anarchic communities on steemit, finally? I'm hoping we're ready.

It's been over 18 months since the first payouts happened, and the system has been trucking along ever since.

It's pretty exciting to be a part of when you think of it, millions of dollars being generated by a company that you hold a stake in. How cool is that? Not only that, but your stake can be whatever you want it to be.

So, if you want it to grow, what's the most essential thing I think you should know?

When I was asked by the client to share the one thing I felt was most essential, I took a moment to frame my answer. I knew what I wanted to say, but I didn't want it to come out salesy. But, if you know me, you know I'm pretty up front. WYSIWYG

I guess I'd have to say, whether you decide to use me or not doesn't matter. My advice to you would be the same. Whatever you choose to do about your content marketing, I feel there's only one thing that really matters.

The CEO sat up straight as I was talking. He looked me in the eye. I had his full attention.

Whoever you hire, make sure your content always adds value, and doesn't just make more noise. There's enough noise in the digital universe. No matter what your brand is, no matter what your "corporate culture" is and how on point your messaging may be. At the end of the day, if you're not adding value for your customers, it's not a project I'd be proud to put my name on.

He was silent. My heart sunk. I just knew in that moment that I'd made a fatal miscalculation. I'd answered the question as honestly as I could, and it had cost me a lucrative contract.

He squinted at me, pursed his lips and blew out.

"Well shit," he said."If a guy's integrity is more important to him than my money, how can I not hire that guy?"

He not only hired my company, but doubled our contract. We worked for him two years, until I sold my part of the business. What I'd been afraid would scare him off had been exactly what he wanted to hear.

I think the same thing is true on steemit!

There are plenty of people on here who will tailor their message to persuade bigger payouts, and gain an audience with a group that will support their posts. But, I feel strongly that my work here represents me just as much as any other gig I've ever done and I don't sleep well if I'm not true to my conscience.

I'd be posting the same information, and stories, whether I got payouts or not. I'd leave steemit, before I'd become something I'm not just to make a buck.

And I think this is the most essential thing any steemer can do. Remain true to yourself and add value with every post. Sometimes that value is a cheap laugh from a quick meme, or a quote that hopefully encourages somebody. But, I want every single post I leave here to mean something to somebody, long after this profile is gone.

What about you? Share your driving principle in the comments!