Joining a new platform might be exciting, but getting a grasp of how things are done is something else that can be quite difficult. Take, for instance, when I first joined Hive; it was like I was thrown into a strange land with no guide. Although one way or another I later found my way around things, it took time, and I made lots of mistakes, so that's why I'm writing this as an open letter to new people joining Hive, a roadmap to guide them on their journeys here so it'll be smoother, unlike my early days.
So without further ado, let's get to my piece of advice for you newbies, and they're as follows:
- Be yourself, but be your best self: one thing I've come to learn through my journey here on Hive is that's the beauty of Hive. Blockchain is rooted in our diversity. We all come from different backgrounds and countries and have different upbringings and experiences. It's normal to be unique, and there's no sin in standing out, so in all you do, try not to copy others, be yourself, and do it well, and you'll be surprised how people will connect with you.
- Consistency over perfection: it's not like I'm discouraging you from doing your best or making your post perfect; all I'm saying is that you should be consistent with your publications, because it goes on to build your presence more than perfection would, so regardless of the little or no reward or little or no encouragement, just keep engaging with others, keep writing, and keep learning, and with time you'll grow.
- Learn about the ecosystem: Hive is very vast and isn't just a blog; it's a big community that comprises a lot of things that take time to explore, from the various projects to the community, games, tokens, and the like, so as a newbie you must take your time to learn as much as you can, be it how rewards work, curation, community, and the like.
- *Engage relentlessly:" As a newbie, you need visibility to be known and thrive on the Blockchain, and engagement is one way to position yourself in the sight of Hive users. So basically be an avid reader, leave meaningful comments on people's posts, and through doing that consistently, you'll build genuine relationships that foster trust and community building.
- Use tags wisely: a lot of newbies just either use random tags or don't use them at all. What you don't know is that tags are what makes your content visible to the right audience. Using the right tags goes a long way in promoting your content. Make sure to use tags that are related to your content.
- Join communities that fit you: We've tons of communities on Hive. My advice is that you join and become active in those that align with you. Don't just join a community because people are doing so or they're thriving there. When you join a community that aligns with your interests, it'll help you commune with like minds.
- Avoid plagiarism and be original: A lot of newbies want to be perfect to the point where they resolve to using AI to generate content. That's not ideal, and neither is it acceptable here. Neither is the use of other people's content welcome. If at all you'll use a bit of someone's write-up, you should quote it and reference the original author. Be it a quote, word, or picture, giving credit to the rightful owner is one way to show you're truthful, because not doing such can lead to you getting muted from some communities; others could even downvote you.
- Ask questions; don't suffer in silence: It's worth noting that no one is an island of knowledge, so make sure to ask questions whenever you're confused or unsure about something. Don't suffer in pain for what you can easily ask and get a response on. Hive is filled with wonderful people that are open to helping others, and you'll learn a lot from them if you ask, just like I've done through the years.
- Don't be obsessed with rewards: when you first join Hive, it's best you shut your eyes to the rewards you're getting on your content, because it can discourage you or bring down your spirits. So for a start, focus on learning, being consistent, and building relationships, and with time the reward will come, and regardless of what you get, I'll advise that you be satisfied.
I wish you all the best in your journey on Hive and hope you'll get a grasp of everything sooner so you'll enjoy your ride through the blockchain.
Here is my entry for the indiaunited contest, you can as well participate in this prompt via this link.
All photos are taken and edited on canva.