It can get painful when you've put the time and effort into something and it receives very little recognition, it sucks. The truth is that you can always adapt and change technique.
Don't see it as a failure buddy, consider it an experiment.
The relationships you form are more valuable and potent than the payouts and although they don't add to your SP stake in the platform directly, they apply to the overall stake you've got in life. In time you'll see the growth in yourself and the people around you, but you have to take it day by day.
None of us know exactly where this platform will be in a year or two, but a lot of us know who we will be surrounded by.
Keep your head up and carry on putting out the content you want to look back on in a years time :)