https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://files.steempeak.com/file/steempeak/steem.leo/1ZTw8DOr-image.png

<h2>Lessons Learned From the First Steemleo Writing Contest:</h2>

Wow. Running this contest has revealed quite a lot. There is a lot of potential here and one of the greatest things that stood out is this:

<h5>High quality content is not getting nearly enough recognition on Steem. Not just in terms of upvotes, but also in terms of engaging comments.</h5>

Some of these contest entries had me (@khaleelkazi) blown away. Reading these stories had me filled with all sorts of emotions and I was truly blown away by the passion that was put forth here. I've been on Steem for 2 years now and many of these entries are some of the BEST posts that I've ever read on Steem. 

What broke my heart is that I would read an INCREDIBLE post and then scroll down and see 0 comments (or just a few bot comments)... How is that possible!?

This is one thing that we need to change on Steem. We need to bring more recognition to the authors who are putting in real passion on this blockchain and this contest is just one way of doing that. 

I urge you to please head over to these posts. While most of them are either nearing the end of the payout window or already past the window, you can still leave some support with an engaging comment! These awesome authors deserve WAY more recognition.

This first contest was a little disorganized, but now I know how we can improve this process and bring more rewards and recognition to authors who put passion behind their work on this blockchain. 

<h2> Winners of the Contest</h2>

I've been torn trying to pick the winners. So many amazing entries and only 3 winning spots!? There must be another way and we'll continue to brainstorm better ways to reward **everyone** who participates. 

https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP2xnt2ZYh2EYXdnq8QcA63xNqTTemZtFhBoBQhbUdiuB/new%20leo%20divider.png
<center> <h2>  1st Place </h2>

<h4>[Learning About Investing Over A Pannenkoek Breakfast](https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@shanghaipreneur/learning-about-investing-over-a-pannenkoek-breakfast
)</h4>


https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUnpZj2nmR2h5oHLGbeQjjCCABv4d8FyhwuroSFMB5pAp/image.png

</center>


@shanghaipreneur describes his journey as an investor with some incredible storytelling flair! This is not one to miss. This might be one of the best posts you'll ever read on the Steem blockchain, please head over there and show him some love on this one!

*Rewards: 30 SBI Shares + 75 LEO POWER + Featured in Next Daily LEO (Monday's Edition)*

https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP2xnt2ZYh2EYXdnq8QcA63xNqTTemZtFhBoBQhbUdiuB/new%20leo%20divider.png

<center> <h2>  2nd Place </h2>

<h4>[What does investing mean to me?](https://steemleo.com/steemleo/@nealmcspadden/what-does-investing-mean-to-me
)</h4>

</center>


@nealmcspadden Shares his life story as an investor — how he’s failed, what he’s tried and what lessons he has carried with him as he chases his ultimate goal of financial freedom at a high level. 

*Rewards: 15 SBI Shares + 50 LEO POWER*

https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP2xnt2ZYh2EYXdnq8QcA63xNqTTemZtFhBoBQhbUdiuB/new%20leo%20divider.png

<center> <h2>  3rd Place </h2>

<h4>[Investment - Money making Money](https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@oivas/investment-money-making-money
)</h4>

https://steemitimages.com/640x0/https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmUfN557vfodN26etZHNfE9bzv2aJovam6sEphyF1PgaPb/Steemleo_Investment_Summary.jpg

</center>


@oivas has over 2 decades worth of investing experience and lays out why investing is so important and the various ways they've built out their portfolio. 


*Rewards: 10 SBI Shares + 25 LEO POWER*

https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP2xnt2ZYh2EYXdnq8QcA63xNqTTemZtFhBoBQhbUdiuB/new%20leo%20divider.png

<h4> A Massive Thank You to Everyone Who Participated</h4>

It was so hard to pick just 3 winners. The entries that were submitted were all so amazing and I know that we can find better ways to reward a wider set of content creators. 

As a thank you, we sent another 2 SBI shares to each person who participated in this first contest. It will only get better from here! 

Don't forget to show some love to the winners and everyone who participated:

* https://steemleo.com/steemleo/@nealmcspadden/what-does-investing-mean-to-me - @nealmcspadden
* https://steemleo.com/steemleo/@cryptkeeper17/what-is-investing-to-me-steem-leo-writing-contest-submission - @cryptkeeper17
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@scaredycatguide/what-does-investing-mean-to-scaredycatguide - @scaredycatguide
* https://steemleo.com/steemleo/@jk6276/what-does-investing-mean-to-me - @jk6276
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@chekohler/what-does-investing-mean-to-you-a-steemleo-contest -@chekohler
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@abitcoinskeptic/what-investing-means-to-me-a-steem-leo-contest - @abitcoinskeptic
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@karamyog/steemleo-contest-1-what-does-investing-mean-to-me - @karamyog
* https://www.steemleo.com/onelovedtube/@d00k13/a-marriage-of-intentions-steemleo-prompt-what-does-investing-mean-to-you-ozhhv64c - @d00k13
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@schubes/what-does-investing-mean-to-me-steem-leo-writing-contest - @schubes
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@financialadvice/what-is-investing - @financialadvice
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@lunaticpandora/what-does-investing-mean-to-you - @lunaticpandora
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@liuke96player/what-does-investing-mean-to-you -@liuke96player
* https://www.steemleo.com/crypto/@rosatravels/what-does-investing-mean-to-you - @rosatravels
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@jatinhota/what-does-investing-mean-to-you-jatinhota -@jatinhota
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@shanghaipreneur/learning-about-investing-over-a-pannenkoek-breakfast - @shanghaipreneur
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@xyzashu/investing-what-s-that -@xyzashu
* https://www.steemleo.com/steemleo/@oivas/investment-money-making-money -@oivas

https://cdn.steemitimages.com/DQmP2xnt2ZYh2EYXdnq8QcA63xNqTTemZtFhBoBQhbUdiuB/new%20leo%20divider.png

We're going to make a few improvements and then announce the next writing contest soon, stay tuned! 

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