Well, my last post generated an "estimated 70 cents." That's neither encouraging nor discouraging. I didn't know what to expect coming in, but that gave me some information about how to proceed going forward. I didn't do a lot of research before posting, and I've spent the last couple of days doing some more so I'm learning what I can. Here's some observations so far. 

Steem Power will be important, I will not power down for any reason. 

As I've been reading up on this community, it is obvious how important Steem Power is to the continued growth of Steem, and to the continued growth of the community. Since I'm trying to see what can be built from this, it's important that I have no plans to power down. So, for the purposes of everything going forward I only will tally Steem Dollars towards building something, and Steem Power will simply grow. This is now Rule5. 

Until things start to snowball, I will need to engage the community in some other way. 

I wasn't sure what to expect with my first post, but it was possible that the post generated $5 of tangible assets and that after 5-10 posts about plans I could be ready to invest that $50 into something. With only $.35 of tangible asset off of the first post, I won't be able to drag out the planning stage long enough to get something going. In that case I'm wasting my own time and that of the community. Both are something I'd like to avoid. So, for those of you that chose to follow me - I will mark all posts regarding when and how I'm going to build something out of Steem with the money tag, and I will label them Steem Funded x. 

There be whales here. 

I've been enlightened to the importance of being upvoted by a whale. I upvote my own posts, and I've been called a whale on more than one occasion, but apparently I'm looking for something closer to what I'd find at a blackjack table in a casino. Those with the largest Steem Power can make or break a Steemer. Drawing the attention of a whale may be the key to making or breaking yourself on here, but I won't make that a goal in any way. 

So How can I engage the community otherwise?

I'm not sure yet. My next post will be related to that, and not the Steem Funded project. I have plenty of value that I can give to this community including: 

• Cruise Traveling Advice and Stories from someone who isn't using it as a floating retirement home (everyone's heard regular traveling stories!)
• Funny Stories from the poker world. (but no strategy advice that's boring)
• How I made a bunch of money buying Toys from retail stores and selling them on Amazon (seriously)
• My weight loss journey. I've been writing down my own thoughts since I started, and I could either rehash those on here or pick up from where I am. 
• How I've spent an estimated $500k lifetime on food (this would amount to restaurant reviews, mostly a subtle brag it would be somewhat boring). 

If any of that pops out at you, throw something in the comments. I'm easily swayed. 

STATS: 

So at the end of each Steem Funded post, I'll post relevant statistics so far. Early on, until I start to cashout Steem Dollars and spend them, I'll simply tally how many followers I have, and the two important parts of Steem. 

• Followers: 6 (Thanks for that!)
• Steem: 0 
• Steem Power: 10.601
• Steem Dollars: .301

Due to a late bet with a friend, if this post ends up worth > $10 estimated value, I will have to tell a ridiculously embarrassing story next.