![SteemENGINE.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmaUob4sAibKF8jGgs5TvbVyh8FdJ56Qn3wx6jzcGFdy4n/SteemENGINE.JPG)

It’s a little over THREE weeks since I was inducted into The Steem Engine and I would like to share my experiences of being a member. My initial article about this curation group can be found [here.]( https://steemit.com/steemit/@slobberchops/the-steem-engine-a-choosy-curation-group-i-didn-t-make-the-cut)

<H5>Just a little introduction first</H5>

The Steem Engine is a curation group who promote original content and quality material to be published on the Steemit blogging platform. If you read my previous article, you can see that they don’t allow anyone in and they do check your previous work for quality before possible admission.

The main core of The Steem Engine is running via a discord server which can be found [here]( https://discord.gg/y58rgmY). There are several people who work quite insatiably to keep the wheels moving (sorry, couldn’t resist), and I can only mention the ones I have met so far, these being @catweasel, @enchantedspirit, and @ethandsmith.

![promoteyourself.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmVwLVXaKMVA8BedcWHBDdoizsyWKH9URnYdBN1CCv2qQb/promoteyourself.jpg)
<H6>Source: Pixabay (https://pixabay.com/en/megaphone-loud-speaker-speaker-1480342/)</H6>

Promoting your content involves using the post promotion section named ‘baggage-car_post-promotion’. This is NOT a dump and run section like many others I have seen. To post your article you must first pick and choose other TWO recent articles, visit them, upvote them and leave a comment that is not *‘Nice Post’.* Yes, I mean interact with the original author and engage them regarding it. Once you have done this, you can then go and leave your article with a reference to the ones you have visited, and then wait for some other members to reciprocate.

<H5>Does this work?</H5> 

I find some people are not really that interested in your article but need to abide by the rules, whereas others do seem to be genuinely interested. It’s not perfect but it’s a good idea. What I do find is that I do get more attention than not being in this group. It does work, and I have made new reciprocal followers since I have joined.

There is no pressure to contribute on a regular basis (though I do). It’s very relaxed and the rules are relatively simple. The discord channel has healthy chatter although I don’t personally participate.

<H5>So why should I be interested?</H5>

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![Winner.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmXU8KEoouk9CWr8AmpAKGh2EHWA4XwGXkLQfHJMHoqiz5/Winner.JPG)

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The Steem Engine have their own account named @thesteemengine which is used to reward its’ members. If you do conform to the posting rules, you will get a decent up-vote by this account that has seen some significant growth from when I started a short time ago.

There are also a bunch of other up-votes you will receive by other member accounts. Most are small but they all help.

A normal vote will have a weight of 15%, but if you can get your article into the coveted [‘whistle-stops’ daily article](https://steemit.com/curation/@thesteemengine/the-daily-whistle-stops-issue-115-4-25-18), you will garner yourself an 87% vote (currently). I have managed this THREE times since I started. 

Speaking of ‘the whistle-stops’, from what I can see this is produced by @enchantedspirit and I have to applaud her for the sheer determination and dedication to publish this every day.

@ethandsmith also posts a ‘Live Curation Voice Chat’ session named, [‘Talk of the Line’](https://steemit.com/thesteemengine/@ethandsmith/talk-of-the-line-4-4-24-2018-recap-thesteemengine-live-curation-voice-chat) in which he details some of the better articles that have been published.

You are encouraged to add an auto-vote the @thesteemengine in a bid to make it grow. It seems to be doing just that, and I personally contribute a 50% daily vote. You can also donate some daily voting power to ‘The Curation Trail’. These are the other accounts that contribute a vote to the authors of The Steem Engine articles. I haven’t done this so far, but do plan on starting soon.

<H5>Should I apply?</H5>

If you are creating original content and want more exposure, then this is simply a no-brainer. You have nothing to lose and everything to gain. I have gained followers and my articles have gained more exposure since joining. 

If your content makes, ‘the whistle stops’ then you will feel a great sense of accomplishment and achievement. Let’s face it we are not professional writers, but we all need our egos stroked every now and again.

<H5>Will they accept me?</H5> 

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![gg.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmSMoRGhJFwUA5qe1baTEJvhkkbYaUAQUx5txpsRmMfaoU/gg.JPG)
<H6> Source: PixaBay (https://pixabay.com/en/officer-soldier-military-grumpy-1696536/)</H6>

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@catweasel considers himself a difficult and grumpy entrance guardian, but I'm not so sure. You will, however, need to convince him that you are worthy with the quality of your blog articles.

I have yet to meet the whole crew who run The Steem Engine having just encountered THREE of the members. What I do know is that these people are very enthusiastic and energetic about their project, and I want to thank them all for allowing me to be a part of it.

Next stop for me is @qurator. I want to join this team as well as @thesteemengine.

Is this a positive review? Of course, it is. If you consider yourself a writer of original content then, what are you waiting for, join up now!

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[![SteemEnginer.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmbL3cUmuD8wEbAhqqPtZcxA1QX1PmgQjY6nsMb5XZBepw/SteemEnginer.gif)](https://steemit.com/introduceyourself/@thesteemengine/introducing-the-steem-engine-initiative)

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![Drooling Maniac.JPG](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNfnfWNzzjZDZ7b1PukhSHLgL5g55apzyDpT4Jp7dP2CH/Drooling%20Maniac.JPG)

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If you found this article so invigorating that you are now a positively googly-eyed, drooling lunatic with dripping saliva or even if you liked it just a bit, then please upvote, comment, resteem, engage me or all of these things.

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