APPICS Do's and Don'ts
APPICS has been around since 2018, and I was able to join in July 2020. The APX token back then is Steem-based. Early 2021, operation halted because of the migration to Telos blockchain. And now, from Steem-based, the token is Telos-based already. So if you have joined APPICS before February 2021, then fret not, you can still claim your hard-earned APX.
After almost a year, APPICS main-net was released. Since the release, the Philippines has the most onboarded members. Everyone, including the previous users, is required to create an account. That means the account I established for seven months is no longer available. Hence, I'm back to square one.
Just like every newbie on this main-net released, I started from scratch, as well. Cents are very common in my account. I enjoyed sharing my photos that weren't posted on any of my social media accounts. APPICS is Instagram-like but crypto-related. So I was okay with the cents I've been receiving, at least I received something, right? But of course, we should step up our game.
With that, I am sharing with you some tips on how to survive in APPICS. There are lots of newly onboard users but eventually decided to drop APPICS because their posts receive cents to nothing.
Some APPICS-related articles you might want to checkout. Please do read the articles in the following order:
APPICS Creation Guide - If you don't have an account yet, head on to this guide first.
APPICS Brief Overview - Understand how APPICS works; some basics you need to know.
APPICS Navigation Tutorial - Learn how to navigate with APPICS.
APPICS FAQs - Read the most frequently asked questions posted by the APPICS team.
Save your private key
After you created an account, you need to create a wallet account - Telos wallet. If you are both new to APPICS and cryptocurrency, you will have a wallet ID and a private key. These two are auto-generated within the app and consider them as your lifeline. You and the private key will meet only once! I repeat, only once. That's why you have to save it. If possible, make two backups. It's a big no-no to send it to your Messenger. Write it if you can, send it to a different e-mail address of yours. Because once you forgot or lost it, it means you have lost your earnings. You should stop using that account and create another account again. Why? Because there is no possible way, your private key will be recovered. This is not like Facebook, Twitter, or Instagram.
On top of that, never ever share your private key. That's why it's called private because it is never meant to be shared in the first place. Once others will know your private key, they can now have access to your wallet. If anything might happen, share it only with your most trusted friend, family, or special someone.
Introduce yourself to the community
Others may see it as unnecessary, but honestly, the first post is vital. Share a little about yourself and the content you plan to share. Your first post gives and leaves an impression on the viewers. Thus, it attracts a probable audience.
Aside from that, by formally introducing yourself to the community, you are verifying yourself as legitimate, not a bot. You will be checked out from the list of possible bots or spammers. Similar to Noise, one user must have one account only. And let's face it, spammers are everywhere, so it's like a small help to the leaders.
Post an original and high-quality content
High-quality content doesn't mean a DSLR-like quality. Learn how to play with the angles, edits, filters, and words, too. It's a package deal, by the way - the photo and the story behind it.
If the camera of your phone is not that great, make sure to enhance the photo. Not everyone is a photographer nor an editor, but tutorials are accessible nowadays. You can start by watching Youtube tutorials on how to capture and enhance photos. Aside from that, add a meaningful caption. One sentence is good enough, given that it somehow relays something to the audience because it's so bland to see a post with no caption at all. If there is, it's like 'Beach', 'Sunset', 'Beautiful yellow flower', and alike.
Also, copying a quote from the internet as the only caption of your photo shows that you're giving less effort. If your photo is a bomb and you can't even say a thing about it, the ambassadors and other dedicated members will notice and doubt if it's yours. Furthermore, do not post photos that are not yours. Even if you properly credit the owner, it is NOT allowed in APPICS. Original content only!
Interact with other users
Engagement is highly encouraged in APPICS. Drop a decent and genuine comment, and surely, you will be noticed. Maybe not right away, but if you are consistent, you will, at some point. If possible, initiate a conversation thru questions.
After posting, lurk around and support others, especially the community you are in, and try connecting with them. You can check the community first, then to the new section, hot, and trending. You can also visit the introduce yourself tag and welcome the newly onboarded members. If you find a post that picks your interest, leave a comment - comment with a slice of meat. Don't leave a one-word-adjective comment; leave comments connected to the post, and might lead to a discussion.
Also, comments can be upvoted. For starters, most of the time, the comments receive higher upvotes than the post. Yes, that is very true. And until now, I still experience such. Through comments, I receive support and/or get along with others.
Join challenges
To let others know you exist, aside from regular posts and comments, you should join challenges conducted by the APPICS team, ambassadors, or whales (users with massive APPICS power). Usually, contest/challenge posts are in the hot or trending section, so it's an advantage if you lurk around as a ninja should be. Joining the challenges alone is a win already (for me), and to be the winner is a bonus.
I once won a challenge before, post the color popping photos as many as you can for a month. When the challenge ended, I received a considerable amount of delegation good for a month. It was good for a month challenge and during that period, I was able to receive support from others. My photos were not as crisp and detailed, but I leveled up it to my storytelling skills. And because of the increased APPICS power thru delegation, I was able to support more in the community.
Power up your liquid APX
If you want to have a higher voting weight & higher curation rewards, power up some of your earnings. Payout of each post is after 30 days. If you happen to save a considerable amount of APX, I highly recommend powering up. But you can opt to either power up the 50% or 75% then save the remaining liquid APX until the exchange is open for withdrawal. That way, you can celebrate and be motivated to post and engage more afterward. Or, HODL and withdraw a portion of your savings when the token value is mooning.
Now, if you decided to power up all of your liquid APX for several months, strategically, it's a wise move. Thus, you'll get to increase your payout. Note that self vote is acceptable in APPICS. You're not only supporting others but yourself, as well - the fruit of your power-up. However, one should not abuse it. It is advised to self-vote one post per day only. Supporting others should be on the top list. Again, you will still receive higher curation rewards.
Some Don'ts
DO NOT repost photos from the internet. Plagiarism is a mortal sin, and your account will be flagged.
Do not repost your photo that has already been posted on the APPICS main-net.
If you have posted your photo elsewhere, make sure the caption on both sides is not the same.
Do not beg for upvotes and follows. If you want others to follow you, then earn it. Also, follow someone that picks your interest, not just because of the follow-for-follow thing. Remember, the person you unfollowed will be notified.
Negativity is not welcome in APPICS! Constructive criticism is welcome, but please do mindful of what you post or comment. If you don't have anything good to say to others, then shut up.
Do not be a spammer! Post your photos with an interval of at least three (3) hours.
Do not forget your private key, and do not share it.
To Sum It Up
You will earn in APPICS. Yes, but it comes with a price. Famine at first, but there will be harvest sooner or later. Consistency and effort must be shown so you will be rewarded. Less effort = Less support = Less reward.
Hence, this social media platform is not an easy money. You have to do something and level up - be wise! Don't quit. If your mindset is just how to earn more in just a month, then you will fail. Just enjoy and the rest will follow - the learning and the earning.
If you experience errors or have some questions and clarifications, you can drop it here.
Have fun!
You can find me here: Noise • Hive • Steemit • Goodreads • Twitter • Instagram
Thank you! Keeping these tips in mind now. Will be back on Appics today. :)