Feeling more comfortable while integrating into the forum community

[Etranger]

Many topics are created to explain and guide newbies on their way to earning merit. And although I consider such topics important and useful, because receiving merits is of great interest and concern to those who take only the initial steps on the forum, but I also consider the question of how to feel comfortable in this community more important. After all, beginners often face stressful situations for themselves, when they do not fully know what and how to do, and how not to lose motivation when some users responds sarcastically or even rudely. And this happens, it's a fact.

That's why I decided to share my experience. My recommendations aren't that extensive and comprehensive yet, because I still don't always feel confident sharing some of my observations, even now that I'm creating this thread. There remains this feeling of a newbie, as if you are surrounded on all sides by heroes and legendaries who are just waiting to tell you that the questions you raise have already been discussed and resolved a long time ago. But they are new to you! And I want to share them, ask them, discuss them, and at the same time not feel detached and stupid. That is why I want to share some tips on how not to feel this, but on the contrary to find your niche and not feel a lot of pressure.

1. Do not try to imitate others. I will start with a piece of advice that can be perceived as very unpopular, because from all corners we hear that it is necessary to take an example from those who have achieved success on the forum, analyse how, where and about what they write their posts, and based on this to improve quality of your own.

But! Their style is not your style. You may not share their interests, and you may not understand (yet) the topics they write about. And that's normal. Instead of writing low-quality posts where your "idols" write them, it's better to focus your efforts on delving into the issues that interest you. Just write in the way you feel most confident. With respect to grammar, of course, and without violating the rules of the forum. Do not adapt your thoughts to some imaginary and subjective constructive templates.

2. Do not chase the merits sources. I often see newbies writing in threads where a lot of merits are given away. Although they do not understand these topics, and therefore their posts go unnoticed. But they draw the wrong conclusion from this, and continue to attack various topics with their posts, without receiving merit, and without learning anything. It is better to write something what you understand and will be confident about. Sooner or later, sources will notice you if you focus on the content of your posts and not on impressing merit sources.

3. Ranking up takes time. Just accept it as a fact and stop dwelling on it. You won't be able to run ahead of the train, and there's really no point in doing so. Perceive the time while you gain merit and activity as necessary to increase your personal level, not your position on the forum. After all, if your motivation is to study and improve your knowledge and skills, then this time will only benefit you.

4. Don't worry that you will be perceived worse if you have a low rank. I saw a lot of members and even junior members who wrote interesting and useful posts, and they were treated with no less respect than a hero or legendary. Your image on the forum depends much more on the history of your posts than on your rank.

5. Do not think yourself that you are worse than heroes or legendaries. Don't flatter them just because your rank is lower. Knowledge and interesting ideas do not correlate directly with rank. Your thoughts can be just as original and in demand as someone`s else. Be yourself, don't lose motivation, and you will definitely find your place in this community.

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[Hewlet]

Thanks a lot for this piece of advice. Sometimes we just get carried away with the whole merit stuff and that affects how organic our write-ups become to a very large extent. The originality in the content you post in the forum will gradually reduce when all you do is to chase after merits and will result in not contribute positively to the forum

It might even stop you from contributing to some threads you feel won't get you merited and even when you see a question you can offer a reasonable answer to because your mind has been fixed on the whole merit-chasing mentality, you won't see the need to air your view.

Within the few moments I have stayed in the forum, the merits I received were mostly a product of the organic postss and contributions I made out of my ideas, curiosity or contribution to an already created thread. I know that the urge to rank up as fast as possible is always there but I just like to follow things the way they come and I strongly believe that by moving just a step at the time, we will get to the top one day.

Kudos to the journey thus far!

[Majestic-milf]

 A good piece this is I must say and things like this don't come everytime but I just hope it reaches the intended audience and they abide by them. You know it becomes hard to get originality sometimes from newbies if their only aim of coming into the forum is to rank up and possibly join a campaign. They'd may, in their bid to quickly achieve that aim, miss out on some of these minor but necessary steps probably because slow and steady is not what they are looking for.
 Don't blame those who cozy up to these higher ranked users so they can get one merit or two because maybe to them thats the only way merits can come their way and some even lose "appetite" to stay or even contribute when their plan doesn't work.
There's no quick way to success but if there's consistency and determination, the goal can be achieved but not all of them know this. It's not bad to have someone you admire in this forum for their style of writing or the way the act in general but some tend to lose themselves simply because they are trying to emulate their idol. Getting merits is simple. Just be unique, post good, informative posts and try not to put having the merits in front when making your contribution because that can put a damper on one's mood if the desired result is not gotten.

[lovesmayfamilis]

Be yourself without inventing anything and without overestimating your knowledge if you don’t have any; similar advice has been heard on the forum for a long time. Sincerity, honesty, patience, and genuine interest are all that a beginner needs. Unfortunately, the advice will again become a thing of history, and tomorrow you will see guides from beginners with information that is not entirely correct, or maybe copied, and new topics like: Hello, here I am! Tell me—that is, transfer everything to this topic. There will be a lot of information in the forum.

[Yamane_Keto]

when they do not fully know what and how to do, and how not to lose motivation when some users responds sarcastically or even rudely. And this happens, it's a fact.

I do not think that anyone is sarcastic about the attempts of others to learn or even gain merits. We all learn daily things that we did not know, but some make fun of alt accounts that create specific topics to obtain merit, such as Help me it is my first topic, or My story with buying Bitcoin.

That is why I want to share some tips on how not to feel this, but on the contrary to find your niche and not feel a lot of pressure.

Merit system was designed to reduce spam, whenever you feel that your writing style will lead to spam or say something that you do not understand, you should stop posting in that board. Learn and share what you have learned and you will not have a problem with moving up. Some campaign managers don't focus on merits, it's like a cut-off where you have to get the minimum but more of them doesn't mean you're better if your posts aren't good.

[Doan9269]

There's a certain class you will be when you're learning and being a newbie, during this period, it may be hard on you and you may finds it tiring, boring and a difficult task before going through the entire forum to understand what it's all about, then you now also proceed to your journey in learning bitcoin, it may take some while but you're definitely improving in learning and getting more exposure to everything.

Just as you planted a seed and continue to water and weed the surroundings till it begins to germinate after some time, then you will have to wait also till it gets matured before fruiting or harvesting, we all need to pass through some rigorous stage in life before we can become whom we want to become, this community has varieties of opportunities but you can't benefit from them until you know what you're doing.

[kentrolla]

Just feels like going through my own initial days in this forum, I appreciate the OP for making things so clear without and jargons and this will indeed help the newcomers and few more things they need to consider like avoid falling for any random scams one could find people advertising new projects every day under Altcoin discussion with catchy phrases but need to do due diligence because I have seen mostly newbie gets carried away with get rich quick ponzi schemes and there are a lot of such campaigns here and also don't indulge into any activity which goes against forum's rules like account farming and selling the Bitcointalk forum account though farming is not easy nowadays thanks to merit system. Don't think this forum as a cashcoe rather think this as a place which will help you gain knowledge about crypto world which will help you achieve financial freedom and it does takes time for sure.

[tranthidung]

Many topics are created to explain and guide newbies on their way to earning merit. And although I consider such topics important and useful, because receiving merits is of great interest and concern to those who take only the initial steps on the forum, but I also consider the question of how to feel comfortable in this community more important.

Why is Earning merit important for newbie members in Bitcointalk forum?

If they join here to learn about Bitcoin, merit is not their target initially.
If I am their tutor, I will only advice them to read two threads
Welcome message
Newbies - Read before posting
They don't need more as newbies.

[SUCH GUIDE] Guaranteed method to earn many merits, statistically proven. suchmoon did not update it since 2019 but such a guide to earn merit.

[Ruttoshi]

Newbies should focus more on learning and reading to improve their knowledge and not all about chasing merits and ranking up as this might kill the purpose why the forum was created, which is to exchange ideas of what you know so that others can benefit from you.

Newbies are misled by whoever introduced them here that this place is a money making forum and they didn't tell them what is involved before you can get to such rank that can enable you to participate in signature campaign, and I know that some of those people that found here on their own will have the knowledge that you can join signature campaign as they just registered but later on. Life is one step after the other and don't be in a haste to get merits rather improve yourself and only contribute on topics of your interest and you will see the merits coming in.

[Etranger]

Getting merits is simple. Just be unique, post good, informative posts and try not to put having the merits in front when making your contribution because that can put a damper on one's mood if the desired result is not gotten.

Many users won't agree that getting merit is simple. I wouldn't say that either because it is like diminishing the efforts of those who receive them. I would rather say that it is not as hard as it seems in the beginning.

I have never done this before, so you will be my first user I will help with the merits left to the next rank. Congratulations!

Unfortunately, the advice will again become a thing of history, and tomorrow you will see guides from beginners with information that is not entirely correct, or maybe copied, and new topics like: Hello, here I am! Tell me—that is, transfer everything to this topic.

I am not drawing an illusion that my advice will change something entirely. I just hope that someone who needs to feel more comfortable here will have a chance to do so, knowing that he is not alone in his worries und anticipations.

I do not think that anyone is sarcastic about the attempts of others to learn or even gain merits. We all learn daily things that we did not know, but some make fun of alt accounts that create specific topics to obtain merit, such as Help me it is my first topic, or My story with buying Bitcoin.

A lot of users are being sarcastic, especially in local boards, where you can feel it even more, because your language skills are higher to notice that. I am not saying that they have no right or reason to do so, but for newbies it could be too much pressure.

Merit system was designed to reduce spam, whenever you feel that your writing style will lead to spam or say something that you do not understand, you should stop posting in that board. Learn and share what you have learned and you will not have a problem with moving up. Some campaign managers don't focus on merits, it's like a cut-off where you have to get the minimum but more of them doesn't mean you're better if your posts aren't good.

It was implemented to reduce spam, however it has its own flaws, first of all, it is highly subjective. That i why merits are often given to those users and posts which already have lots of merits. Of for something funny. But there is no objective rules, common for everybody which regulate merit distributions.

Considering campaign managers, I would say the rather make a focus on merits, because every good campaign offers higher payrate for those users, who have 1000+ or even 2000+ merits. It has recently become something like a "new rank", which is higher than Legendary.

Why is Earning merit important for newbie members in Bitcointalk forum?

Because of the reasons I mentioned in the OP. They want to be perceived as equals. And of course majority of want to be accepted in a signature campaign with a better pay rates.

[Davidvictorson]

It is good to read these reminders like I would like to call them once in a while. It serves as a refresher for the Old members of the forum and a guide to the new members on the forum. As you have written I can say someone really that there is no right or wrong way to be a member on this forum if you abide by the rules and be respectful of others. The most crucial when newbies should note is Patience. You got to be a lot patient on this forum because the destination is not attaining the highest ranks, it is increasing your knowledge about Bitcoin and the crypto space.

[Coyster]

Are you not overthinking things, when you start following "guidelines" and "guides" on how to behave/be yourself in a discussion forum, you are already not being yourself. I don't think all these guides for newbies that i see in this board is necessary, let people behave how they want to when they join the community, as long as they don't break the rules, time will decide if they would learn and become net positive to the forum or not.

This is just a Bitcoin discussion forum, threads like these are actually counterprodictive and i think they even put more pressure on the newbies that they have to behave in a certain way. Just discuss about Bitcoin and other whatnots in the way you can!

[Richbased]

Newbies should focus more on learning and reading to improve their knowledge and all about chasing merits and ranking up as this might kill the purpose why the forum was created, which is to exchange ideas of what you know so that others can benefit from you.

Yes a lot of newbies here are after chasing merits as most of them even rush to comment on threads that are receiving more merits, these ideas of chasing merit will not do them any good because they will find it difficult to focus on the fundamentals of why they are in this forum.

As a newbie, it is important to learn more than comment as it will help you to gain more ideas and understanding about the forum and bitcoin related information.

Newbies are misled by whoever introduced them here that this place is a money making forum and they didn't tell them what is involved before you can get to such rank that can enable you to participate in signature campaign, and I know that some of those people that found here on their own will have the knowledge that you can join signature campaign as they just registered but later on. Life is one step after the other and don't be in a haste to get merits rather improve yourself and only contribute on topics of your interest and you will see the merits coming in.

Most newbies that registered on this forum have that narrative that this platform is all about making money, so this ideology has made lots of newbies to focus more on deriving merit rather than passing information or getting information from the forum, of a truth we all know that this forum has aided lots of us financially but that shouldn't be the basis as we also need to contribute towards the betterment and development of these forum as time goes on.

[Majestic-milf]

Getting merits is simple. Just be unique, post good, informative posts and try not to put having the merits in front when making your contribution because that can put a damper on one's mood if the desired result is not gotten.

Many users won't agree that getting merit is simple. I wouldn't say that either because it is like diminishing the efforts of those who receive them. I would rather say that it is not as hard as it seems in the beginning.

You are right. To be honest, getting merits is not as easy as it is because sometimes, a user can even make good posts but may not get the desired merits and may feel it's not about making good posts alone. From what I've seen too on the forum of how some users get merits, those who dole the merits may do it for reasons best known to them and not mainly on the fact that the post being merited was good alone.

I have never done this before, so you will be my first user I will help with the merits left to the next rank. Congratulations!

Thanks for the push up, I really appreciate this gesture...cheers!!🍻

[Ojima-ojo]

5. Do not think yourself that you are worse than heroes or legendaries. Don't flatter them just because your rank is lower. Knowledge and interesting ideas do not correlate directly with rank. Your thoughts can be just as original and in demand as someone`s else. Be yourself, don't lose motivation, and you will definitely find your place in this community.

This point I love the most in this entire episode of wealth of knowledge that can help a newbie to propel them through the forum, Number 5 is very important because I have seen a newbie writing an interesting posts, highly exceptional and intellectually accurate,  and also have seen a legendary who writes a hit worthless posts.


So the difference between each member in the forum, is in the level of the quality of content that they write each day that makes up for the posts history, and not the rank of a member.

[Agbamoni]

All you said is very relatable. You've taken the time to point out information that has been shared before, but this time it's less aggressive and more explanatory, making it more understandable for your targeted audience. At least you've shown that you've experienced all these things during your start on the forum and have provided a way to navigate the ups and downs for new members, helping them feel more welcome. What you appreciate the most is how you encouraged them to be themselves. This is one thing that many new members tend to neglect. Once you become natural in your words and share your thoughts and feelings, the next person reading will understand and relate to what you've shared. But when you try to mimic someone else, you start going off-topic.

[Etranger]

threads like these are actually counterprodictive and i think they even put more pressure on the newbies that they have to behave in a certain way.

I think you got my post wrong. I haven't said that newbies should behave in a certain way, it is exactly the opposite. I was just sharing my own observations and experience, and based on it, I can claim that there are some unwritten "rules" and "behaviour patterns" which could put a lot of pressure not only on newbies, but also higher ranks. Counter productivity of such discussion is a questionable issue and it is up to a particular person to decide if it is helpful or not.

[Yamane_Keto]

Considering campaign managers, I would say the rather make a focus on merits, because every good campaign offers higher payrate for those users, who have 1000+ or even 2000+ merits. It has recently become something like a "new rank", which is higher than Legendary.

It is true that you need +2000 merits to get higher payments, but it is not a guarantee. Whenever your posts are good, you can get higher payments than someone with +4000. The system may not be suitable for everyone, but I do not think that merit is the only criterion to say that this account publishes high-quality posts or spam.

Because of the reasons I mentioned in the OP. They want to be perceived as equals. And of course majority of want to be accepted in a signature campaign with a better pay rates.

Since you do not need a university degree to be able to earn an income, there must be other ways to say that this person is worthy. The merit system may be one of them, but it is not everything. Signature campaigns aim to get the highest amount of clicks and gain trust even if you do not use the service. The easiest way to do this is for an influential person to advertise for them. Be influential and you will not need merit.

[cryptoaddictchie]

I was just sharing my own observations and experience, and based on it, I can claim that there are some unwritten "rules" and "behaviour patterns" which could put a lot of pressure not only on newbies, but also higher ranks. Counter productivity of such discussion is a questionable issue and it is up to a particular person to decide if it is helpful or not.

Nice thread btw. Its really good that someone might open up about their opinion, and others should read it and see what they think about. Its not like you are totally on the opposite side but you are more broad when it comes to explaining things. It might be confusion to others but if we reread the thread we could something valuable in good terms. Keep it up, and I do hope newbies find your post as "meant to guide" and not to intimidate them.

[knowngunman]

4. Don't worry that you will be perceived worse if you have a low rank. I saw a lot of members and even junior members who wrote interesting and useful posts, and they were treated with no less respect than a hero or legendary. Your image on the forum depends much more on the history of your posts than on your rank.

5. Do not think yourself that you are worse than heroes or legendaries. Don't flatter them just because your rank is lower. Knowledge and interesting ideas do not correlate directly with rank. Your thoughts can be just as original and in demand as someone`s else. Be yourself, don't lose motivation, and you will definitely find your place in this community.

This two points remind me of the thread I stumbled earlier here made me to realize that it's not about the rank but the person behind the account. Seeing how both high ranks and lower ranks rubbish that thread and correct the op made me to believe in your number 5 point. Believe me, even at this moment, I find it hard to interact with most of the high rank accounts because I always assume they are far better and I need to be careful with them. And of course, some of these high profile are gurus but some are not in any way different from the rest of us but were lucky to receive the airdrop merits back then. This thread is necessary for those having the same feelings and finding it difficult to feel free in the forum.