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I've had profitable stories too, but I'm not going to be naive here. Look at it statistically. https://steemit.com/tags Sort by payouts, and you'll see that most tags are irrelevant to writers who write about even general topics. And let's also take note of the fact that we both joined in 2016. Anyone who joins these days has an even greater challenge than we do.

Look at your audience. As of now it's mainly early adopters of STEEM and tech nerds involved with STEEM so it's only natural that's what gets the most attention. It will take a couple of years, smt's, a redistribution of STEEM power and more users to really mix up the trending page and the rewards. It will happen but for now it's supply and demand. The audience demands STEEM related content.

Nobody said it was meant to be easy. I'd hope in three years those people starting today have gained traction. Many give up far too soon. If they're starting today and expecting to be in the same position as a three year veteran within a few weeks or months, they will be disappointed. This platform and Youtube are similar in many ways. Every channel starts with one producer and no subscribers. Some have worked for five years and have yet to see a dime over there.

I should add since advertisements are a thing now, I do hope more begin to see the true value in all types of content and treat it fairly, since that variety now helps pay the bills, potentially placing everyone in a better position financially. The community is only shooting itself in the foot if people act like a work of art, fiction, comedy, whatever, are of less value to the platform than something like an announcement of new developments. All forms of entertainment, from the humourous shit post to the most detailed essay about quantum physics are equally important now, since each contribution has the potential to keep the attention focused on the platform, and those ads.

I should add since advertisements are a thing now, I do hope more begin to see the true value in all types of content and treat it fairly, since that variety now helps pay the bills, potentially placing everyone in a better position financially. The community is only shooting itself in the foot if people act like a work of art, fiction, comedy, whatever, are of less value to the platform than something like an announcement of new developments.

It would be nice if you and a handful of others were not the only ones thinking that way. I've been trying to get a community of gamers going here for quite some time. Unfortunately, most of my regular participants have left the platform! I just checked on my oldest and most loyal players and none have made a post in 2 months or more. It is becoming like a ghost town here for those who enjoy playing games.

Once communities are launched, you can start a gaming community. You can reach out to those users you used to game with and invite them back.

Thanks for the comment @crystalandbones.
How does one reach out to those who are not logging in to their accounts?

Have you heard about this: https://www.steemace.io

Nope. But it seems they are more interested in gaming reviews rather than playing board-game style games here on Steem. I would say they are interested in AAA games, not something you need to write comments to in order to play.

Thanks for the link though.

That's a gaming community. Doesn't matter what kinds of games. Look closer.
https://www.steemace.io/steemace/@steem-ace/steemace-is-for-gaming-content-what-is-gaming-content-updated-version

I'll try using their tag and see what happens.