Steemit Retention Rate - a model of how it can be improved

I am always keen on numbers.

Looking at the regular statistics reports from the likes of @elyaque and @penguinpablo it shows that while steemit now has over 280,000 user accounts only around 9% are counted as daily active accounts, and about twice as many are weekly active users.

This is supported by previous figures such as those by @vegansilverstack :

@vegansilverstack/how-many-total-accounts-are-there-on-steemit-active-users

A recent analysis by @paulag suggests retention rates for steemit of between 6% and 14% :

@paulag/steemit-retention-problem-analysis-of-steemit-database

This got me thinking…

I compile the list of Homesteaders and Preppers on steemit. It is now on version 6 and currently has 159 homesteaders and preppers identified on steemit.

So that I can keep up to date with all that is happening in this little corner of steemit I follow everyone on the list. I keep an eye open for all the posts from the homesteaders and preppers on the list but I have noticed some have dropped off the radar of late.

This is inevitable but I wondered what the actual retention rate amongst the homesteaders and preppers on the list is. So I did a bit of digging and fired up the trusty spreadsheet.

Looking at the last posts, comments and resteems of everyone on the list I found that 74% of the people on the list have been active in the past 7 days.

This is slightly skewed as over 90% of the people on the list have joined since May 2017 so there is still a good dose of initial enthusiasm.

This ‘recent joiner’ argument could be countered in part by the suggestion that there does seem to have been something of an overemphasis on the ‘earn as you blog’ part of steemit for many of the new joiners. This can inevitably lead to disappointment for those hoping to see Steemit Street paved in gold the minute they step out of their front door.

One interesting nuance of the figures is that the retention rate drops significantly to 53% for those who have given no identifiable geographic location in their profiles. Maybe this suggests a lesser commitment to the platform? Or perhaps a realisation of the potential personal exposure that an active steemit life might bring? This might particularly be an issue for preppers where privacy and opsec can be of significant importance.

So if these figures are anywhere correct and retention rates are much higher amongst homesteaders and preppers then what is the reason for this?

The Homesteading and Prepping ‘Community’

I suggest it may be summed up in one word ‘Community’.

While they may have varying political and personal beliefs the homesteaders and preppers on steemit have to a large degree come together around a common purpose.

Various initiatives have quickly offered up the means for homesteaders and preppers to network and mutually support each other.

These initiatives include :

The regularly updated list of Homesteaders and Preppers on steemit run by @pennsif
The SteemitHomesteaders on Slack channel initiated by @greenacrehome
The Homestead Life network (THL) founded by @thehomesteadlife
The Weekly Homesteading Newsletter (WHN) run by @kiaraantonoviche
Homesteaders of steemit and Preppers of steemit identifier badges produced by @daddykirbs

How much the higher retention rate amongst the homesteaders and preppers is due to these initiatives and how much to initial enthusiasm and dedication of purpose is hard to tell.

Revisiting the retention figures in say 3 months time will give a stronger signal.

What is clear is that there has definitely been an upswelling of community amongst homesteaders and preppers on steemit - particularly those that joined since May.

The evidence of networking, sharing, mutual support and to some extent informal mentoring is quite abundant.

Communities coming to steemit?

I have not spent time looking, nor obviously come across, other similar ‘mutual interest communities’ on steemit but I am sure they must exist.

I understand the development of more formally constituted communities is on the near horizon for steemit :

That will for sure be a good thing for the future of steemit.

Mentoring?

Tagged on the back of the coming Community structure I wonder if some sort of mentoring system might be worth considering. I have seen this work effectively in online games.

The learning curve for steemit is considerably steeper than in the more polished social networks like Facebook etc. The early difficulties of understanding the mechanics of steemit almost certainly account in some part for the high fall off rate. Having the guiding hand of a mentor or steemit buddy could help newcomers overcome the initial hurdles.

I don’t know how the retention rate in steemit compares with other social networks but I am sure it is currently too low.

The earn as you blog USP of steemit is a double-edged sword. Its initial shine attracts many, but as reality bites and disappointment sets in it can repel just as fast.

There are many factors that will help improve the retention rate on steemit but the evidence amongst homesteaders and preppers suggests the development of mutual interest communities can have a considerable positive influence on keeping newcomers on board.

Coupling that with a mentoring system could help further.

What do you think?

If you found this post useful or interesting please do upvote, resteem and follow. Thank you.

You might also be interested in some of my other recent posts :

Learn About SteemitHomesteaders Here!

Steemit Retention Rate - a model of how it can be improved - the homesteaders and preppers 'community'?