Just don't invest external currency into it. Barring that, it is a pump and dump, used exactly as that is defined.

By itself, Steem is a garbage cryptocurrency. But as a medium of exchange via blog posts, it has gained value (kind of like cacao beans thousands of years ago, or anything in demand but lacking intrinsic value). The sole purpose it has value now is precisely so it can be pumped and dumped for BTC on crypto exchanges.

The major external cost is your time. When your payout doesn't adequately compensate you for your time, then it's either time to stop, or to stop expecting to profit.

Right now, the site is lacking stewardship as a legit community versus a profit machine. Don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with turning a profit for one's creativity. All I'm saying is that there are a few whales who talk a good game about community, and the curation of great ideas, but they are using everyone else to simply make money and once the well runs dry, they will scurry off.

Other than that, welcome.