Slow Grow
I received a new batch from @HIVEBuzz. I usually don't care about those, but this one was a challenge that I set myself up to an experiment:
What happens if I post every day for one month?
The result was interesting. If you like, read through my short analysis and reflection on what happened. First, of course, the account growth. Second, the affect on my daily life and how it felt. Third, how I see the HIVE blog.
Nothing slow about that growth.
I started May with 2,192 HP. I finished with 2,885. Let's say 700 HP more, which is around 31,5% growth. That is quite a lot.
Most of the big steps came from posts about Splinterlands that really hit a nerve, and caught the attention of some whales. I heard someone call it "hitting the whale lottery", but I think (or hope) that it's merit-bound - I did put a lot of effort into those particular posts.
From here, growth will probably slow down in percentage. But If I can keep it to 300-500 HP per month, I'm happy. That would mean that I'll easily reach my goal of 5,000 HP by the end of 2025
Engagement
Another positive thing was the higher engagement I got in replies. I tried to comment whenever I had something to say that I thought added to the topic, and wasn't just repeat. And when someone did an exceptional job.
There's also a neat correlation between the comments that I made, and the replies I got, as those are to both my posts as well as comments on other posts. I do comment more than I get replies, though, but I guess that's still part of being a smaller fish in the sea.
Votes
I changed my voting-distribution a little. As I'm reading more and more, I reduced the amount of voting power on the voting trail that I'm following. It already shows in the cake-diagram, there are now many more names that I actively curate because their content really speaks to me. Some are known for their content, but I recommend checking out number 3, there is some really good content to find there.
I'm really happy with that. It shows my personal impact, and it feels great to have an impact. I'll probably reduce the voting trail a little further, in order to make this even more "me".
My incoming votes did change, too. I think it's more organic now as well, and less voting trails. There was a really good and valuable voting trail that supported me up to 2,500 HP, but then stopped. Probably because I either was posting too much, or because I reached the threshold where they stop supporting. I'm still learning about those initiatives.
No time, gotta write.
It wasn't like that, though. The first week I was a little nervous. What if I don't find topics to write about? What if this will make the posts mediocre, a mass production without soul? And yes, there are a couple of posts that I might have redacted more carefully, or would've worked a little more on the ideas, but after a while, I got into a flow. I sometimes wrote 2-3 articles in one day, just because I was inspired. And then nothing for a day, publishing those I had written before.
Looking for other topics pushed me more into the math section, calculating a lot of things for #splinterlands. Now I'm working on my statistic-skills, got some nice hints for tools to plot data and such.
By the way:
Where can I find data for my account on PeakD/HIVE?
Like the development of followers and who I follow, which day I powered up how much hive, and so one? Preferable in one file, and not going one by one through a history... I know how to use CSV files now 😎
Hive is different now.
Connections are growing. I'm getting to know some writers. I think I'm letting them to get to know me. And it never feels like wasting time here, there is so much great content to learn from and get inspired - or to just and simply enjoy.
I'm finding more communities as well, more honeycombs to explore and see where my thoughts fit. Many initiatives from long term users caught my attention and I joined many of their discord channels to find out more about them. I think I'm becoming more of a fan of all this, all of you.
Conclusion
This was worth it. It was good that I challenged myself to this, and hopefully it was an addition to the whole Hive as well. I won't be paying much attention to it from now on, maybe I'll skip a day from time to time. But if the creative flow goes on as it does at the moment, and time allows it, I'll keep writing and exploring and making connections.
Before, Hive was a means for writing and learning about Splinterlands, and helping me build my set there. Now, it's actually becoming more important than the game. I just powered up 50 HP instead of funneling those into the game. That, too, is a change that this month caused.
Big thanks to everyone who's creating great content and/or supporting mine!
And especially to those who answer all my pesky newbie questions and help me navigate through here :-)
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You are an example of how to do something right. It is not that you have exciting writing skills, no offense, but you are persistent and ready to learn. That quality is what is needed to be a successful hive blogger. You listened, even if you sometime didn't understand or agree fully, you gave us the benefit of doubt.
That is where you are successful and other fails and say hive doesn't work, hive sucks, hive is for the whales.
Clearly none of that is true, because you did it. So did the following people
@bjangles
@thejedo
@saydie
@seattlea
@captaindingus
@beffeater
@bravetofu
@beaker007
@aftersound
They are all different, but they all started writing at hive based on my suggestions and even pushing. They contributed positively and they were rewarded just like you.
While a few others complained at discord, and at twitter. Some tried to farm the hive reward pool. They were unsuccessful.
I am not saying hive is a great social network, but we are here and we have something to offer. There are two ways.
Our way, or the highway.
Choice is yours.
PS. there is new community
https://peakd.com/c/hive-169191/created
Consider joining and contibute.
Thank you for the compliment! Means a lot coming from you. And thanks for all that support over the last months, I'm glad that you're pleased with the results of your work on me 🙃 And that's an impressive list of people you've influenced! I follow quite a few of them for their great content, and will check out the rest.
There are still many things I don't understand, but it's easier to find the right tutorials and information now.
I actually consider Hive what Social Networks were "before". They were really social. Real hubs to exchange information, true conversations, arguments. Yes, some exaggerated fights from time to time, but it was interesting. It was about the community.
That is the parts of Hive that I have found so far. I mean, yes, not everything is gold, and I have good guides to get me to the content I like, but still, compared to other platforms it's 90% more valuable content, so in comparison, it's pretty great.
Joined the new community - Will we get a plot a day there? 😜
LOL, not a plot a day :)
But surely you will get a plot or two :)
Just for fun ....
Lol, were did you get that data? And why is my bakery not in there????????🤣
your bakery will be 'trade'
Hm... But I'm not a trader, I'm a producer. Though the English term is somewhat flexible with that, as plumbing is a trade, too. So I guess it would be what in German is "Handwerk".
The Education thing is a little surprise, but then again, yes, there are at least 3 German schools here (obviously in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca), and they're big.
Also, that there are only living 2,000 Germans in Ecaudor. That's weird. I'd have guessed more. But that's biased, as I know all of those who live in my Province :-D
It’s data from the country’s passport control, how accurate do you think they are publishing that info around internet. It’s unreliable data.
From my experience, I'm pretty sure that the creation of the data was already flawed, as quite the chunk might never have been created in the first place. How many times did I hear "Sorry, the system is down at the moment." 🤣
Gonna sleep now, I'll read you later (and that 5 land plot post...)!
Great company to be included in!
I, myself, still am learning more about this platform.
I gotta say though, it's way better then doom scrolling on FB and IG (even though I still fall for those sometimes)!
I'm looking for other ways to build my Hive account. So far, Splinterlands posts help me with this goal. But I would like to achieve more like you @beelzael!
The more I can grow my account, the more I can help other people, too.
Be the person you needed when you were younger is my motto.
I also believe we are in great hands with @azircon leading the way.
I know I have so much more to learn but I am here to stay. I'm sure you are, too! 😉
Yes, Splinterlands is still the fuel for my account growth - but from time to time, one of the other posts hits a nerve, too. We'll see how it goes from here. I'll try to get my hands on raw data to see how much I make with posts about which topics. That would be interesting, and plotting would make sense there to visualize - and I want to learn more about that plotting thing.
See you around! A lot I hope :-)
Good luck! Looking forward to see your future posts!
Thanks for the shoutout! Azircon has convinced all of us to walk through this way and I am proud being part of his praetorian guard! One of my focus will be try to coach some posters and help them with the initial steps. What I love more about splinterlands is that some days I prefer writing about it than just playing! Keep up with the hard work! #Vonak
This list is an honor to be mentioned on - I am there amongst some very esteemed company!
@beelzael I look forward to your inaugural post on c/praetoria - and no, it doesn't need to be confined to land-related discussion. Expect some thoughtful challenges and interesting prompts to come soon :)
Cheers yall!
It's probably turn into a hefty religious-like discussion between me and azircon about ROI vs. LPE 🤣
I already have some ideas on what to post there, at least I had yesterday before going to bed... Can't remember what it was. lol.
Glad to be mentioned along with such great and passionate SPL creators. Really like the creation of the new community and I think that 5% beneficiary will be a great way to counter spam post.
@beelzael great work on getting the monthly author badge and good thing that you are looking into HTML. I made a post about markdowns and HTML before so when you feel like it, feel free to check on the post.
https://peakd.com/hive-13323/@saydie/a-guide-for-my-peakd-posting-process
I actually used your guide for that, found it the other day why searching for the code to make anchors and links within an article (table of content) Thank you!
Nice to know that it helped. I originally made them to help my SPL friends and guildmates. Some of them stick to hive.
Thank you for the education and the encouragement!
It has been a fun journey and there have been times where I write prolifically and others where I struggle to put out my weekly Land Report...
However, the key is consistent, good content :)
Thank you again - I've put a lot of my rewards into Hive Power and the rest into Splinterlands :)
I think the highest streak I've ever managed was 13days in a row - and even that felt like a big deal 😅 but seeing how much the month-long challenge helped you grow, but stats-wise and personally really makes me want to try it too. I'm not sure I could keep it up for a full month yet, but you've definitely planted thr idea in my head
You make it feel a little exciting
Also, your point about Hive starting to mean more than just, I'm feeling that shift myself lately
It was a challenge, and I do enjoy writing a lot. But it was a bit of pressure, I admit. For highest quality, I will probably not do that again, but see how things turn out. Right now, I'm working on 3 articles at the same time, so I'm stocked for a few more days :-D
I'm glad you're getting into the feeling, too, I hope it just grows stronger. It really is an interesting community and there are so many smart people here to learn from and exchange arguments with. Real arguments. Real discussions. No name calling, no tantrums, but intelligent discussions on sometimes difficult topics. I thought several times that I stepped on somebodies toes with comments, but writing privately it was like "Yeah no way, all cool!" That's what I love most :-D
A great mindset - challenge yourself but know when to ease up for quality. And three articles at once? You're on fire 🔥
Meanwhile, I barely know what to write some days 😅 thank God for prompts. And yes, the thoughtful discussions here really make Hive feel like a place worth growing in
I get most of my ideas reading through other posts. Things that are written in a by-sentence, but seem important to me to expand them to a post, for example.
I'll have to try that one🤔. Thanks for the tip
!PIZZA
Yummy!
$PIZZA slices delivered:
@speedtuning(5/10) tipped @beelzael
Come get MOONed!
Your insights on your growth on the platform are interesting and important - and I will (try) to follow your fine example as a new user.
But there's more to doing something every day - doing a task every day changes us in ways we can't even see.
There's a discipline in China to do a practice for 1000 days - around 3 years. When I finished learning the Wu / Hao Taiji form, I set myself the goal of training every day for 1000 days - and I did, through international moves, ill health, and general bad luck. Did I become a master? By now means. But the discipline changed me. When I was close to a 1000 days, my GF at the time said, "What are you going to do on day 1001?" My reply? "I'll train." Because once I've got that much under my belt, I won't lightly abandon it - I'm at around 2100 days now.
So I'd encourage you to look at how posting for a month changed you - in addition to the great uptick in the account...
That's a good point to consider. The thing is that while training is more a solitary activity, my writing is also open for others to read, and I'd like offer the best results possible. Currently, I think I'm still doing that, but if I just don't make it one day and am not pleased with the results, I rather not post than deliver mediocre content.
Glad you're finally here! I hope you'll enjoy it as much as I do.
You can still set the discipline of writing daily - but make posting daily a separate goal...
That's a good compromise. And yes, I am writing daily, but now I'm reading less. Gotta find the balance still!
That's a very tough balance to find. I've been all on the reading side lately; I have to get back to writing.