Yes, you were promised free steem for writing and commenting,how is that going for you? Well, I know the answer and if it is worth anything, that's my reality as well.
I spoke to someone yesterday who has been on this platform for about 7 months and she talked about how she used to earn about 7steem per post but since steem dropped there hasn't been much to earn and she in turn hasn't posted much. Earning 7steem per post is a distant dream for someone like me, I have not even earn 2steem per a post, and you know what? I'm not really worried.
How can this be you may ask? Well it's simple: I have a better goal that will serve me better in the long run. I have realised that there is a vacuum to be filled on this platform. We have very few persons who are really interested in the future of steem. Now that the price of steem is low many are planning their exit, trying to salvage what they can. So you might not get those huge upvotes that will lead to massive earnings because activities are down, that's why it's pointless crying over low value upvotes.
However, I have taken another approach, one that has to do with influence. And many might think that to be influential one must be at the top of the food chain but that's not always the case. In fact, you can do much work from the bottom by garnering support and building the community from the lowest level and that's what I plan on doing.
For now I am more interested in the increase of those numbers beside me steemit handle than earning steem. Yes, strange but for me it shows my level of influence and contribution on the platform. And the beautiful things this that it pays in the long long to engage with the system. Like it or not steem will rise again, it's only a question of time and their will be an influx of new and old users. At the time you don't want to be scrambling for space, no, you most solidify your position here now, so that when this rush happens you won't become invisible again. Now you have the opportunity to interact with whales, dolphins, minnow, who are willing at this point to give valid feedback and upvotes, no matter how little the value might be at this point it is worth something. At the time of the rush you might not have this opportunity.
So my friends build your reputation by engaging with the system. Stop worrying about steem, think in terms of influence. Many of these dolphins and orcas started as redfishes and it took time and dedication to get where they are now. Do your best and hope for the best. I'm sure at the end you will be thankful that you did.