$5 is actually pretty decent for something supplemental but I think @bodyinbeta pointed out the other day if your creating just for this platform it can feel like your putting in a lot and not getting a lot back.
I'm always surprised what types of content does well here. Stuff I pour myself into and work really hard on makes 0.36 cents and then I just reupload a Youtube video kind of rambling about steemit and get $36. My best earning post ever was asking a question about if your only paid for 7 days following your post. It really blows my mind. I do create a lot of unique content for hear although as a Youtube a lot of my stuff is reuploaded youtube vids so the content has already been created so may as well repost here and see what people think, interact with another audience. I will say I have discovered a lot of new Youtubers I like through this platform that I had never discovered through Youtube in the past despite being very active on there.