RE: Maybe the Key to Happiness on Steemit is Low Expectations...
I think the temptation of making money so easily on Steem is what actually liberates me more from my limiting mindset.
When you are trying to strike it big and be like some of these creators that always get $100+ on the post, but don't, it triggers an emotional release. When I allow myself to feel bad due to expecting an upvote from a whale a not getting it, it brings me back to reality and I can find ways to improve.
As you said, most people don't expect to make money on Instagram and that's why people just post what they want. That attitude is good because it allows us to be more authentic but when we expect money, we will try to game the system.
Personally speaking, if I give myself permission to feel bad for not getting my hard work upvoted, I seem to be free from the enslavement of trying to please or get noticed by a whale. As a result, I become more assertive with my content and promote it as I see fit instead of being in a submission position like "hey guys, check out my blog."
I commented below but something I find funny is how people jump through hoops to make peanuts with Adsense or Bitcoin faucets, yet get upset with Steemit when they don't make $100 per post. Steemit pays more than most other smalltime hustles like that do.
I do think an important thing for noobs to realize is posting quality content only matters after you've build a following, made friends and engaged the community. Prior to that your writing for nobody because nobody is reading your posts. I think if people came in with that knowledge they would focus more on the communit aspect before spending time and effort posting stuff nobody is going to see andthen getting frustrated over that
True, for me at least, I wanted to write well to improve my blogging skills. The time I spent writing blog posts that nobody read still allowed me to write and format my blog posts better. If your only goal is to get a high upvote, then yeah, you will get frustrated.
You're right though, Steem pays you a whole lot more than any other blogging/video platform yet it creates the highest expectations and frustrations.
@rulesforrebels, you should post videos on DTube. You have a better chance of making money there.