Nowadays, it seems like the search for financial freedom is everywhere. Our conversations often lead to discussions about opportunities that may allow for income, and it is easy to see how, as soon as an opportunity online comes up, the first thought most people begin to have is about whether it would actually make money.
When Hive comes up in these discussions as a Web3 platform that allows people to build applications, create all types of content, and monetize it, for many, their motivation to join often seems to stem from the last part - monetization. This is understandable, as the idea of making money from creativity can be an intriguing one. But here's the thing - while Hive has many rewarding opportunities, it is not a "get-rich-quick scheme."
Hive has an engaging social blogging side, which is rewarding and can hlep horn creative skills but anyone who has truly spent time in engagement will tell you that it takes time to develop and enjoy the experience. Nothing happens overnight, and it takes time, patience, consistent work, and a commitment to contributing value, even when it may feel like there is little to earn from it.
From our various outreach programs, I have learned about the various ways that people react when they hear about Hive for the first time. Some come with excitement and high expectations of "quick results and quick money." As time passes, that excitement fades. Not because they did not earn any rewards, but because their expectations were higher than what the reality could initially provide for them.
Even when we tried to show them a bigger picture context like the freedom to create without censorship, community support, investment options and building on blockchain, those areas were easily overlooked. This is because the main focus was fast money. Most people forget that Hive's biggest value is what could be built overtime (the long term value), not just what could be made quickly ( the short term money).
This is a familiar pattern when people hear about other platforms. Think about how people have talked about YouTube, or TiKTok - from the outside it is easy to imagine a going viral, having thousands of followers and making quick money. But the reality is it comes after you've spent time creating again and again, being creative and self improvement, for many months, even years, to get to that level. Hive is not different.
When you look from outside, what is described about Hive may be inspiring; the idea of a place where creativity becomes opportunity is powerful. I have learned that the true value of Hive is not only in the rewards, but in the entire journey - the growth, the learned skills, the relationships you develop with time. Many opportunities sound fun and exciting from afar when you hear stories. Those stories sound great to admire and cheer on.
But the reality is those stories are made true when a person steps inside the opportunity, lives it, and goes through both the exciting moments, and the slow, uneventful pages. Hive is not different. So looking from the outside, Hive can seem like a fast path to money. Looking from the inside, Hive can be a place to create, learn, connect and grow - if you have the patience to stay the course.