Timely, considering the top post is currently an intro post by a Playmate with bewbs. You are spot on - it takes a while to get your game up to Steemit level and those first 10-20 posts that get no love can be very discouraging.
But then again, it's actually Steemit genius. The first 20 posts are usually written because you want to get paid, so you write what you think the crowd wants you to write. Then you don't get paid, and at some point it's like fuck it! I'm just going to write what I want to write. And then you get paid, and are a much better writer for the whole experience. ;D
Yeah, the casino effect helps to keep a lot of people going for a while... but that only works for so long before they give up. Every little bit of encouragement goes a long way in the beginning.
And then again... if someone gives up after a week or two Steemit is probably not the place for them. Can you imagine quitting a meatspace job because you didn't get a bonus your first week?
lol Good point.