<center>http://cetking.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Avoid.jpg</center>

With more increase in new users, I have noticed that I have been getting more and more DMs(Direct Messages) that are mostly for vote begging. 

Very little actually message me to build an actual relationship and either just send their link to their post, or just do a little small talk and then send their link and use the *"follow for follow"* line. 

This is rather annoying to me. I'm sure it is annoying to others as well. Of course, I can just block them and adjust my settings but I try to keep DMs open to new users that are legitimately trying to learn the platform and have questions that needed to be answered. Some of you may not have any issue with this at all and that's fine. I just find it to be a "gimme gimme" mentality where all they want is an upvote. 

Here are some things to try to avoid if you are a new user.

# Expectation

<div class="pull-right">https://s3.amazonaws.com/lowres.cartoonstock.com/animals-commercial-tv-televisions-dog-expectation-shrn5128_low.jpg</div>

I wrote a post not too long ago about users having the wrong expectation when joining and being on the Steem platform. 

https://steemit.com/expectations/@bitcoinparadise/the-wrong-expectations

There are many that expect to earn large rewards as others do and they can, but you can't expect that if you are not putting in the work while having  a strategy and using tools that have gotten those that earn larger rewards to where they are. There are many different factors on having success on Steem and the results vary for each user.

When earning rewards on a post, the pending payout amount does not belong to you. There is a possibility of having your post getting downvoted or "flagged" that could result in a loss in reward value. Some of the reasons you could be flagged are:

<center>![](https://steemitimages.com/DQmNfCX4obFjmeEDuNGwzWWjJ524VKGHSwPW2VCEDazXRgy/image.png)</center>

So don't expect that the amount on a post when it's pending payout belongs to you. If it is not in your Steem wallet then it belongs to the Steem platform. So if you were downvoted and "lost" rewards on a post that is pending payout, no one took anything from you nor owes you anything. It is being redistributed as stakeholders see fit. You are not entitled to receiving those rewards.

# Similar Content

<div class="pull-right">http://cdn-webimages.wimages.net/0513cb66f27e331016359c68a3c5866ccce0d-wm.jpg?v=3</div>

When you create similar content/copy and paste another user's content on here or from another site, it can be misconstrued as a form of plagiarism. Repeated attempts can be considered as spam and are discouraged by the Steem community. It could result in being downvoted/flagged.

It is better to be more original with your content. If you are sharing content from another user or from another site, minimize the amount sentences you are using from your source and use "quotes". If you are familiar with HTML or Markdown, you could quote like so:

##### Markdown Code
`> YOUR_QUOTE`
##### HTML Code
`<blockquote>YOUR_QUOTE</blockquote>`

##### Result
> YOUR_QUOTE

It would be best that quotes are not more than half of the entire post. It should be at least half original content. You want to try and include as much original thoughts and ideas as you can in your content you are sharing.

Cite your sources. You have a better chance of receiving support on your posts if you cite and link your sources rather than trying to pass it off as your own original content completely.

There are are a few ways to do this:

Just copy and paste the link.

https://steemit.com

Or

##### Markdown Code
`[Source](https://steemit.com)`

##### HTML Code
`<a href="https://steemit.com">Source</a>`

##### Result
[Source](https://steemit.com)

# Direct Messaging(DM) Links on Third-Party Apps(Steemit.Chat, Discord, etc.)

<div class="pull-right">http://10and5.com/wp-content/uploads/2011/07/34.jpg</div>

I mentioned at the beginning of this post how I have been getting more DMs from new users and just linking their post with no conversation at all. 

Many users find this to be a form of *"vote begging"*. Even DMing someone and having a small talk and then dropping your link can be considered vote begging. Just messaging the person and not building an actual relationship just to get an upvote.  

> **Vote Begger:** Hello
**Me:** Hi
**Vote Begger:** How are you?
**Me:** I'm good. You?
**Vote Begger:** Where are you from?
**Me:** The U.S.
**Vote Begger:** How long have you been on Steemit?
**Me:** About a year and a half.
**Vote Begger:** Check out my post https://steemit.com/vote-begging-link

I understand many of you are trying to share your posts and get more exposure and support but this can be annoying to some users. Now not everyone considers this as vote begging but many do. I know I do. 


# Discouragement

<div class="pull-right">https://www.hbmag.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/05/SadMan_z.jpg</div>

I've seen many new users that have been discouraged from continually posting content on their blogs after not earning many rewards. I know I had gone through this in the beginning when I started. Creating content everyday where a lot of time and effort had gone into the post goes unnoticed. 

While it is discouraging, try to avoid feeling that way. It can be difficult but not many understand that the price of STEEM and SBD can increase. Most of us believe it will increase in value. So while earning a few cents here and there, can be worth dollars in the future. 

It can take time to build a following and the more consistent you are with your blog posts, over time you could start to see more support and earn larger rewards. Creating content is a skill of its own and like any skill, the longer you do it, the better you become at it. Over time, you learn how to be more creative with your content. Continue to create content as much as you can.

---

<br>

These are just some things to avoid and what you can do to avoid it. Of course, everyone is different and results will vary but these generally will help with the frustrations that a new user may face and others on the platform.
<br>
*Image Sources: [1](https://www.cartoonstock.com/cartoonview.asp?catref=shrn5128),[2](http://whisper.sh/whisper/0513cb66f27e331016359c68a3c5866ccce0d/Haha-nice-copy-pasta-),[3](http://10and5.com/2011/07/18/gimme-gimme-gimme-at-the-fringe-on-kloof/),[4](https://www.hbmag.com/discouragement-the-other-silent/),[5](http://cetking.com/avoid-number-plugging/)*

---

## Side Note - VOTE FOR @BLOCK-BUSTER FOR WITNESS!!!

@MrViquez just started a Witness to support music, entertainment, and growth of the Steem community. He's been quite successful ever since he joined and a real go-getter. He is one I recommend voting for as a witness.

https://steemit.com/dtube/@mrviquez/i1paa4xv

https://steemit.com/witness/@block-buster/official-launch-of-block-buster-witness-supporting-music-and-entertainment-and-growth-of-the-steem-community

# https://steemit.com/~witnesses

To vote, use the link above, and go to the bottom of the page, and enter `block-buster`  into the box and click the `VOTE` button:

![block-buster2.gif](https://steemitimages.com/DQmV9LntdQWuZVnuy4Dgc3N2Jiz2DeL7tVoT8jza4d8mmz8/block-buster2.gif)