How to Hive

I wanted to write something here in the Hive Onboarding Committee because it's not typically apt for @brofund to post it, so I thought I'd do something personally, and it's something I've wanted to get my teeth stuck into for a long time. Basically a step by step guide of how to have the best time here in Hive..

How to hive!

So you're new here. It's a big place. All these trending posts are making $90, sometimes $100 per day and you want some of that bling bling. You want to get your teeth stuck into some of those good rewards that are floating out.

So you go and craft a masterpiece. In terms of art it's the best piece you've ever created and you post it on your newly opened blog (which took you a while to get your head around). You wait for several hours for rewards to appear, but nothing.

How can this be? No rewards! It's obviously better than whatever shite is on the front page. Clearly you are a master of your trade, and these stupid people that can barely construct a proper sentence on their posts or speak proper English on their videos are touching the moon with their rewards!

How can this be? It doesn't make sense.

Okay, so rewind a little. The people that are being rewarded have actually been around a long time. And hive, well, it's decentralized, so the chances of a big fish catching your hook as a newcomer is about zero to none. You have no chance.

Like with everything, earning hive is effort.

Hive is a community before it is a platform

It sounds weird me saying this but most people wont even seek you out unless you have made an appearance on their discord server. Yeah, that's right, we're a funny old bunch. We sit there on discord all day and network. Most of the meaty work is done over in dusty rooms on discord. That's where the magic happens.

To get far ahead in the game you need to get on their community servers and talking to people. If you think about it in a human sense it's about making yourself known. There is no other way to get out there and chat to people one on one on here so we've all taken to discord. People need to figure out about you before they start dropping large votes on you.

We're also a very suspicious lot

Given that I do believe humanity is tilted towards the good, there are a lot of people on hive who dedicate their time to "doing good" on here. By that I mean they check that you're just not here to pillage and plunder. There are people that have come here with their massive bot farms trying to suck rewards. And I've seen it happen with Cine, where people have sent their botting farms to that place.

So how do I get recognised?

Well, no-one is going to know who you are if you just sit there and not say a word. Whenever I've entered new places where no-one knows who I am I've always booted the front door in and been like "Hello! Here I am, what's going on here then?" The trick is to sell yourself without actually selling yourself.

So don't go spamming your links in people's faces and asking for upvote swaps, or to view your proposal - that stuff is likely to find you some downvotes fast. Just don't do it. The best way to get any recognition is to just join and contribute to stuff, lend and hand, say hi, be a net positive on a community rather than an existential threat.

Think of it like this. People always remember most about how you made them feel. If every interaction with you is a positive one then that's going to add humungous weight to the discussion around your name when anyone asks about you. Be a positive person.

Anyone that says content doesn't matter is lying

Some of the best upvoted content on here is actually pretty decent. Whales aren't going to drop a vote on one link and a picture. Not going to happen, not on your nelly. Effort needs to go into your work.

Now, several years ago there was a furious debate on here as to what was a good piece of work. Previously, it used to be Pulitzer prize worthy, but now, any sort of art will do - as long as it looks as if effort has went into it. Some people make videos for instance. That's a lot more work than you realise.

That's all, that's it.

That's it! That's all you need in the hive ecosystem. Go start a blog, write a few posts then network in whatever communities excite you. Also remember that you're there to contribute, not take from. Communities do so much better when the people there want to add to it rather than take away. But, and this is most important, go talk, introduce yourself and get settled in firstly.

Don't go asking to help straight away before anyone knows you. That invites suspicion. Just relax for a few weeks, get to know everyone, participate, and you'll be integrated into the hive ecosystem in no time!!

Good luck!