diff --git a/templates/zerver/help/getting-started-with-zulip.md b/templates/zerver/help/getting-started-with-zulip.md
index 8c9e7395b1..6048cd141c 100644
--- a/templates/zerver/help/getting-started-with-zulip.md
+++ b/templates/zerver/help/getting-started-with-zulip.md
@@ -4,19 +4,23 @@ Welcome to Zulip! Like any new tool, mastering Zulip will take some time,
 but once you get the hang of it, you'll never want to use another chat
 service again.
 
-Zulip is designed around a few key ideas:
+## Understand
 
-- You spend far more time reading communications than writing them.  So
-  Zulip is primarily designed to optimize consuming messages; either reading
-  them, or making an informed decision not to read them.
-- Messages in Zulip are organized into streams and topics.  Streams are
-  similar to chatrooms, IRC channels, and email lists in that they determine
-  who receives the message.  Each conversation in a stream also has a topic,
-  which plays the role of the subject line of an email (though topics are
-  usually shorter, e.g. "logo" or "logo design", not "feedback on the new
-  logo design?") in that it organizes messages into threads.
-- Zulip keeps careful track of which messages and threads you've read, and
-  always places you exactly where you left off.
+Read our [guide to streams and topics](/help/about-streams-and-topics) to familiarize
+yourself with Zulip's conversation model.
+
+If this is your first time using Zulip, we recommend starting with the web
+or desktop experience.
+
+## Set up your account
+
+- [Set a profile picture](/help/change-your-avatar)
+- Get the [mobile and desktop apps](/apps)
+- [Browse and subscribe to streams](/help/browse-and-subscribe-to-streams)
+- [Configure your notifications](/#settings/notifications) to work the way
+  you do. If you're joining a low traffic organization and aren't using the
+  desktop app, consider sending all messages to email.
+- [Review your settings](/help/review-your-settings)
 
 ## Basic workflows
 
@@ -26,11 +30,12 @@ A few basic workflows are useful when getting oriented.
 
 - Use the left sidebar (or the `n` key) to review messages thread-by-thread.
 - Use the down arrow key (`↓`) to move the cursor to the next message.
-- Use the End key to mark all messages in the current view as read (could be
-  a thread, stream, or anything else).
+- Use the End key to mark all messages in the current view as read.
 
 ### For writing
 
+- To reply to a message, click on it, or use `r` or `Enter` to reply to the
+  message under the blue box.
 - When starting a new conversation, remember to start a new topic. Don't
   overthink it; the first 2-3 words that come to your mind are probably
   fine. Using topics may take some attention at the beginning, but after a
@@ -38,21 +43,14 @@ A few basic workflows are useful when getting oriented.
 - It is totally normal to have 5 conversations happening in a stream at the
   same time; each on its own topic. So don't worry about interrupting; each
   conversation has its own space.
-- If you see a conversation where the last message was sent a few hours (or
-  days!) ago, feel free to reply anyway. It'll be easy for everyone to see
-  your reply in context, regardless of anything else that has happened on
-  the stream in the meantime.
+- It is totally normal for conversations to last many hours or days, even in
+  busy streams. Don't worry about replying long after a message is sent;
+  everyone will see your reply in context.
 
-## Next steps
+## Advanced
 
-Once you've figured out the basics, you'll probably want to:
-
-- [Add an avatar](/#settings/your-account)
-- [Get the mobile and desktop apps](/apps)
-- [Configure your notifications](/#settings/notifications) to work the way
-  you do.
-- [Browse the streams](/#streams/all) in your organization and join those of
-  interest.
-- Master Zulip's [keyboard shortcuts](/help/keyboard-shortcuts). Anything
-  you can do with the mouse, you can do even faster from the keyboard. Start
+- Master a few [keyboard shortcuts](/help/keyboard-shortcuts). Start
   with `n`, `↓`, `c`, and `Enter`, and use `?` for help.
+- Learn how to
+  [format your messages](/help/format-your-message-using-markdown) using
+  Markdown.