sorry, I've watched so many vids since i joined I must have confused links.I have a lot of bookmarks and it will take me hours to find the right one. so from what I've read and watched so far my understanding is this.
Bitcoin is generatedthrough the blockchain program, which is a giant open accounts ledger, when a computer is on the blockchain it is helping the blockchain run by running some really complicated maths in the background. this process is called mining and people who are on the network get rewarded for helping mine the bitcoin. (although there are so many people with massive server farms now the guy on a pc has no chance of finding some bit coin)
Steem is built using the blockchain programming but it's the actions of users, miners (people who dedicate lots of computer power) and steem traders all help with the creation of steem so all get rewarded.
hopefully someone who understands it a little better than me will come along soon.