I agree totally that the focus has to be on content not reward. And that you have to work to build a network of your own if you want to succeed, not expect great fortune to just be thrown at you. 

I have built in a couple of months to 500 followers, and a reasonable wallet, not through trying for the money grab, but by diligently posting every day a couple of things that people might find interesting. I take my camera with me and photograph things I see and do through a day, and then just talk a bit about it. I try and include interesting information in every post alongside the photos. 

But most importantly, I engage with people in comments. I answer nearly all my comments (as long as it is not a "nice post" throwaway looking for an upvote that is not deserved. And ignore pretty much everyone who asks for an upvote or follow.) and find posts that interest me in similar areas to comment on and vote on. This engagement has enabled me to interact and become friends with a number of people from all over the world and I am enjoying meeting them and finding out more about them through their posts.

Nicely summed up on Steemit and life in general, glad you're going to be with us on this crazy journey.   But really did you have to wait until I went low carb to reveal you were sitting on a great potato salad recipe!

Love this!

On your point #2 - I feel like there are 2 main posting types. There are people with the goal of creating content to make money; and there are people with the goal of making money to create content. Confusing? Yup. 

By this I mean that some folks are geared toward the money as an end goal and use content creation as a tool to generate money. The other folks were creating before Steemit, and would create without it, but see the monetary rewards as a means to devoting more time to their art, funding a book, album, or piece of software, etc.

There’s nothing wrong with the first group. And in their activity some undoubtedly find a passion which moves them into group two! But overall I find group two to be more authentic, engaging, and enjoyable. Their participation is a virtuous cycle wherein content generates rewards which feeds content creation.

a very good post, I just joined 1 week ago., you are absolutely right because our goal is the same. you are entitled to get upvote from me. though only slightly. Thank you for the information. do not forget to follow back and vote. 😊

Great post, I actually read it all too. Thanks for the reminder, I am also new to this platform and was testing out different ways of getting noticed and collecting a fan base coming here solo. It's all trial and error and like you said, having something to say that adds value. Its taken me time to realize what that is, I think I am still learning on that front. Thanks. Upvoted and following.

The slowly compounding nature of rewards here is an excellent filter to keep the real snatch n' grab opportunists disinterested. 
Yes, it takes a long time to build a following and a steempower balance, but that time is invested; and as long as you're adding value, that investment will pay dividends over time.

Not everyday I come across long texts like this one and read them all. Great words man.  I joined a month ago and it's been such an amazing journey so far!

Nicely said. Now where's that potato salad recipe ;-). I particularly liked your comments around creating what you can because you can, rather than trying to earn from it. Not that there's anything wrong with earning from your creativity.... But if that's the sole purpose somehow it becomes tainted? Or it doesn't seem to meet the objective of being quality... I'm sure @benleemusic has some thoughts on this.

Anyway, you seem like an awesome dude so I'm following you. Take care brother!

Hey @aliceadishakti .  For when you get on here lol 😂 💗

@javierdunn great post!  Totally on point 👌🙏

Thanks for this post. As a noob, it's a great reminder to be humble and focus on providing value. Upvoted and following.

Great post.. upvoted and resteemed :)