Welcome from the deep south.
You have our collective sympathy for having to put up with Karen for such a long time, but this time [probably the only time] she is right, Steemit is a great place to meet all sorts of people and have fun.
Suggestions:
write about things you know and are interested in.
Try and post at least once a day to keep your name to the forefront of peoples minds,
Don't worry about whether you are making a fortune or not, ignore that side, enjoy the people you will meet.
Try not to get involved in some of the arguments you will read, sometimes the antagonists get carried away and hurt bystanders.
Will be following to see how you get on, enjoy.