![woman-1733881_960_720.jpg](https://steemitimages.com/DQmcjzh5B66cr6nGYv4ceEZ8sPU1HEoMQYveYYX9NC9agPK/woman-1733881_960_720.jpg)
[Source](https://pixabay.com/en/woman-burnout-multitasking-face-1733881/)
# <center>Introduction</center>
As most in the community would agree Steem as platform is its early stages, and community sentiment is very optimistic. Everyday we hear chants of "Glory and Praise to Steemit", and doesn't it make us feel awesome that we are part of it. Important thing to distinguish though realistic optimism with temporary hype. If say tomorrow price of Steem tanked below $1, would the community sentiment remain same? or would some of us plunge into pessimistic mode?

Yesterday, I have read a brilliant ***[blog-post](https://steemit.com/cooperation/@teamsteem/cooperation-is-humanity-s-greatest-asset)*** by @teamsteem and I encourage you all to read it, because it the best article I have read so far that describes the realistically optimistic future for Steem as a platform and our role to make it happen.

 My focus however is in critical analysis of the current state. By being critical of certain aspects of the platform does not make me less optimistic, please take it as an attempt to point our possible issue that may need to be address at some point.
# <center> Steem Branding Issues</center>
Steem is in desperate need of marketing. There are no ads, so most of the marketing is via word of mouth. There are two issues with word of mouth marketing:

### **<center>1. Explaining the blockchain technology</center>**

When you go to Steemit.com first thing you see is *"Welcome to the Blockchain!"*. Potential new users who don't know what blockchain is immediately navigating away from the site. Because blockchain, for those who don't understand it, means *"Risky, Stay Away!"*. I am not exaggerating; I have personally saw people doing that, while I was actively trying to promote Steemit to friends and acquaintances in person and online. Only after I was able to explain the benefits of blockchain they felt comfortable signing up.

Props to successful youtubers who are bringing in new user base everyday through their youtube channels. However, most of their viewers already are blockchain enthusiasts and that hurdle for them is crossed with little effort. I discovered #Steemit from @jerrybanfield.

I propose that *"Welcome to the Blockchain!"* banner to be changed to something like *"Welcome to Steem Blogging Platform!"* or something like that.

### **<center>2. Explaining the brand</center>**

Steem and Steemit used as brand interchangeably. It takes time for new user to understand the difference. However, it seems ***Steemit*** sticking well as a brand. However, we have new brands emerging, with having various apps such as busy.org by @busy.org, chainBB.com by @jesta, eSteem mobile apps by @good-karma and probably more coming. 

These guys are doing amazing job for community, more than I would ever be able to do. I would like to express my gratitude to them before I start criticizing :).  I started using them all, however I am using eSteem more currently. I will continue using them, and probably have more to say at a later time. But I would like to emphasize one thing, **"Branding"**. They all seem to be developing their own brand. Nowhere on their sites or apps, I see **"Steemit"** as a brand. I think it would be beneficial for everybody if they could come together under one brand. 

They all have strength in certain areas and weaknesses in others, it would only be mutually beneficial to unite under one brand and possibly redirect to each others apps as an option for users. 

Future apps should consider this as well. Recently @jerrybanfield announced a [project](https://steemit.com/steemj/@jerrybanfield/2000-steem-prize-develop-steemj-com-for-steemit-freelancing) for freelance job to create steemj.com. @papa-pepper had another [project](https://steemit.com/bounty/@papa-pepper/the-steemian-username-tag-search-engine-500-sbd-bounty-paid) to create a search tool by username/category. 

These guys are doing awesome things for the community. Unifying these efforts under one brand and making these apps, sites, tools easily accessible for all will make it much easier for current users and accelerates the mass adoption of ***Steemit*** by new users.

I ask @jerrybanfield to consider a name for his project such as steemjobs.com or steem.jobs. Easier it is for average users  to identify and discover these apps, sites, tools better for the whole community.

# <center>Conlusion</center> 

@teamsteem in his ***[blog-post](https://steemit.com/cooperation/@teamsteem/cooperation-is-humanity-s-greatest-asset)*** predicts the end of mainstream social media platforms as their leader users start switching to Steem with their followers. He also points out possibilities of those platform features being implemented in Steem platform in the future. For example, you would have to link your youtube video, instead video would be embedded in Steem platform.  As I agree with him, I see developers creating new apps/sites such as SteemTube, SteemBook, SteemTwits, SteemGram, SteemBay, SteemList, and SteemWhatever. 

I just hope ***Steem*** or ***Steemit*** would be preserves as a brand. Simplicity of understanding the platform, its usage, and discovery of different capabilities would be the key factor in mass adoption. Unified branding makes that road to the future of the platform a lot smoother. 

Once again I would like to thank leaders, developers, contributors of the community, and please take my criticism as a complement.