![tips.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmUehXkPYHnNAaqmaucoy2XyfaDucbEzXZsgBQDS7wDtvi/tips.jpg)

-----

**So I just started Steemit 3 days ago, but through a lot of trial and error and some googling I learned a lot!**

**I'm gonna share some tips with you that will help you get a jump start on this platform, listen up!**

------


# Tip #1 : Good Thumbnails


For those who don't know what a thumbnail is, they are the images that appear next to your article before some one clicks on it.
So you want to make these appealing.

### How do I add a thumbnail to my posts?
*It is simple, just drag and drop the image from your computer into the text box, it will upload and appear as some code you probably have never seen. But scroll down to the preview of your post and you will see how it turned out.*

### My picture looks cut off after I post my article...
*If your image is not a good size it'll look distorted or cut off after you are finished publishing*

### How do I fix this?
*What you are going to want to do is change the dimensions of your photo to about  800x480*
- Go to [picmonkey.com](https://www.picmonkey.com/)
- Click **edit** on the top of the page
- Open your photo you plan on using
- On the left hand side, click **Resize** (it is below the "sharpen" option)
- Uncheck **keep proportions**
- In the first box type **800** in the second type **480**
- Click **Apply**
- Then Press **Save** above your newly formatted photo
- Save to your computer
- **DONE** 


# Tip #2 : Profile Picture
You're gonna want a profile picture so you don't look like a noob, here is how you do it...

- Click on the circle next to Submit a Story 
- Select **Settings**
- You'll notice a text box with "Profile Picture URL" above it
- You will need a URL for the photo you plan to upload
      - Go to tinypic.com
      - Click **Choose File** 
      - Click **Upload Now**
            - You might have to fill out a Captcha (to prove you're not a robot)
      - Copy the link in the box "IMG Code for Forums & Message Boards"
      - Paste in the text box "Profile Picture Url" in your Steemit settings
      - Erase the [IMG] and [/IMG] that are at the beginning and end of your link
      - Update
      - **DONE**


# Tip #3: Tags
Make sure you are using proper tags when you post your articles so the right audience will find your post and you won't be flagged for improper tags.

## Popular Tags
**Life** = posts about general life stuff
**Steemit** = posts that are relating to the steemit platform
**Blog** = Blogs of any nature are welcome
**Funny** = self explanatory, funny stuff found here
**Story** = where you can post a story

**There are much more tags, and you can make up your own if you'd like**


# Tip #4 : STEEM, STEEM Dollars, STEEM Power
I know this is confusing to a lot of people. But I think I have a general idea about the difference between the 3...

**STEEM** : The actual cryptocurrency, I'm sure you heard of bitcoin, these can be traded for other currencies including dollars and euros

**STEEM Dollars** : These are worth approximately $1 of STEEM

**STEEM Power** : This is what gives you voting power on Steemit, and they can be converted to STEEM in a process called "Powering Down" which takes about 3 months (13 weekly payments)


# Tip #5 : Upvote and Follow
 
**-Always make sure to upvote posts that you really like or thought were useful**

**-Follow the creators that you like so you will see their posts on the Home tab whenever they publish an article**

**We all appreciate it!!**

-----




### If you have questions about something you can ask me in the comments section, I will help as much as I can.

# @nexttimetech


[![DQmTiCwPX5Eh6J9TrHZ9Aki1E8u7jM6gc2LqvycQ91JFrjQ.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmTiCwPX5Eh6J9TrHZ9Aki1E8u7jM6gc2LqvycQ91JFrjQ/DQmTiCwPX5Eh6J9TrHZ9Aki1E8u7jM6gc2LqvycQ91JFrjQ.gif)](https://steemit.com/@nexttimetech)