If you are approaching steem for money as prime factor you will not have much progress if you don't look around loopholes and exploit them. However if you are here to enjoy and have fun interacting with others you will end up making money on the sides.

As far as those 1000$ people are concerned you can either spend considerable time understanding how the system can be gamed and play that game or focus on enjoying.

I have said it many time before will say it again. if you try to get earnings via crypto you may get luck you may get burned. don't rely on crypto for your living.

Here is one upvote from my side (although its not anything big). hope it helps.