Thank you @newageinv for "stopping by" and adding value to this post.
"I read recently here from another user that “most come for the money, but stay for the relationships” and that is a great demonstration of the potential of the Steem ecosystem."
Agreed, it is a powerful motivating force, although FB, among others, probably offer a better interface to accomplish the same thing. Not wise enough to say what the mix of financial incentive and relationships produces for motivation, but hopefully a lot for the sake of us all.
How, for example, do we place a value on the encouragement of another human being? About the best I can do is somewhere between "a lot" and "priceless!"
One thing in my experience is now certain. To "do it right," just as you are currently demonstrating, we have to invest in replying / commenting in support of our fellow Steemians.