I hear ya.. Really. Based on what you said I feel i had covered those basis.
I mean. I had lots of post make less than $1sbd. I never complained or bothered, it hurt, sure. But not until i realized what was really going on.
It's not that my post made little, it's that my post made little after getting picked up by curation trails. The trails that claim to be here to help are really only helping selected authors not really representing what their mission statement is claiming.
That is my issue.
See, Steemit is not really moderated or controlled by any individual. Anyone can make a Cheetah bot. Any one can be an organized voting trail. Really. But the trails in power today make it near impossible for a new, powerful trail to emerge.
The trails in power today can easily take advantage because most people are stuck thinking like FB and Twit will babysit and hold the platform to a certain ideal Steemit is not like that. ANYONE can take control with enough SteemPower and change the tide.
You could start a guild with enough combined SP to control the votes. yes You. Steem Power = Owning Shares. More share. power you have the more shots you can call. That's fair.
I don't like getting picked up by trail and not make rewards while others get picked up by a trail and more hundreds.
For me getting picked up by trail is like a death sentence.
Thanks for reading. I do appreciate all feedback. I really doubt I will be be writing here anymore for the above stated reasons.
Steemit is not a bad place, its a great place, if you're in the whale and curation bot favour.
Guess you are focusing too much on trails and maybe you have a short/mid term strategy. I wrote about this here: https://steemit.com/usesteem/@develcuy/the-1-secret-to-succeed-in-your-steemit-career-and-any-other-long-term-investment
Don't waste your hard earned status and earnings!
-- @develcuy