we make it clear to set realistic expectations.
That, right there. Which applies to ALL social media. Like people may look at Alla and her show, and go "wow," but we all know damn well that she didn't just wake up last week and say "I think I'll do a cooking video!" and 500,000 followers appeared out of thin air. But that's often public perception when someone says "make money on YouTube."
You're spot on about the social success levels... I get more interaction here from less than 700 followers than a Farcebook page with 17K likes and two 10K member groups. The real challenge (at least for me) is how to skim off just the active part of that audience and bring them to Steemit, not all the "sleepers."