Just to follow up a tiny bit on the progress with this post.

The value and views have increased. No bots/paid for votes were used. Over 200 views now. Nearly $30 value. The post was resteemed by @jerrybanfield. He has over 32000 followers on this platform. That's why this post is doing better now, plus Jerry voted on it and he's got some power behind that vote. That's community. These guys know each other, they're helping each other out. It's out in the open and there's nothing wrong with that. We see results and it didn't cost anyone a dime.

Jerry's account is a good example for you to have a look at some time. 32000+ followers. I believe his most recent post as of this writing has about 132 views as of this writing. About $71 value with 727 votes as of this writing. Most of that value came from Dsound. That account has a high powered vote and offers it as an incentive so people use the platform. It's a free vote. Dtubers get one too. Steemit members... we don't get anything like that.

Remember, you said this:

but the dream would be to be able to make enough money on Steemit to have it replace some of the other work I need to do to pay bills etc.

You want to make money and I don't blame you one bit. That's what artists do, it's normal.

Catching minnows just to pad stats and gain a large following might seem like a wise decision on the surface. People spend money to get that. It's an investment for the future, they think. They're not getting results. I'm showing what I consider evidence to back me up as well. These minnows see the trending page, they see all that money, the look at what they're earning, they quit. Most don't even realize the money was purchased. Most don't even know people like me(there are lot of us) exist.

You see a school of minnows swimming in the pond, you dip that net in, most of them get away, you catch a few, some die unfortunately(leave the platform/lose interest). Minnows only grow to a small size in real life. They can't feed you for an extended period of time. Catch a few recently hatched fish, let them grow, let them reproduce, it takes time, maintain it, take care of them, and that will keep your stomach full for a long time. It's not easy though. My approach was one of the most challenging things I've ever done in my life. People don't seem to want that challenge. They want to skip it. Someone comes along and says they'll make it easier for you. What's the catch? There's always a catch. They want you to pay for it, but their solution doesn't seem to be working.

For me, watching so many take that so-called easy road while forfeiting their future... it's hard for me to watch. It's hard for me to watch hard working members here who EARNED their keep get bumped down the trending page by someone who feels like cutting in line. I'm watching people I've known for months fall off the map. The one's putting them out of business aren't even earning money, they're just trying to hog the spotlight.

I've become so frustrated that I am now losing interest. Everything I worked for seems to getting flushed down the toilet. Even this reputation number beside my name used to mean something. I earned it. Now people just come along and buy it. All that work means nothing.

I don't even know why I'm telling you all this shit. I'm supposed be on break. I've been trying to take a break for over a month. I'm stressed out. Much of what I said is contributing to that. I can't perform and I'm just turning into an asshole. Morale is low all over the place. ... I'm done talking.