I came across this post in a resteem by someone else. Sorry so late to respond, but just read it. I can say that being somewhat newer (4 months) I was somewhat discouraged to find out it wasn't what the videos claimed on Youtube. I actually made the mistake of putting up some content I could monetize elsewhere, as well as a little I had monetized for years (self publishing). Now I was grossly underpaid and that type of content will not be making its way back on here from my fingers.

I was going to give up, then saw some of the success stories. And not all of them the get rich type. People lifting others up, helping others in need financially. The longer I am here, I am amazed at what Dan and Ned built here. The ability to help others by simply clicking that upvote button. The more stake you are willing to put in here, the more you can help others. And in helping others, water rises to its own level and others of like mind draw to you and upvote your sharing. I keep hearing of future communities, but they are already here for those who care to join them.

I am curious what the SMT dynamic will have on Steem. Hopefully I will be able to accumulate much more of it before it shoots to the moon.

If I had but one suggestion for the platform it would be to allow us to pin a post on our blog page. I have read so many how to grow on Steemit posts on here that are more accurate than the Youtube videos, but they quickly disappear into the sea of posts. It might help more users stay if they could get that accurate picture before they began investing time/money into the platform.

Glad to see yet another post aimed at the positives. It grows tiring of the doom and gloom, and I suspect some of it is on purpose to lead others to the soon to be here EOS platform. I predict within a few months people will realize people will be greedy there too and start looking for their next grass is greener situation while everyone here is rewarded by continuing to put in the effort.