Make sure to check out the #contest and #steembasicincome tags

Probably some of the best tags for newer users to pick up extra SBD and STEEM, and shares of @steembasicincome which can help your account grow over time!

Also, if you follow their account they frequently post lists of SBI contests.

Starting out from scratch can be extremely difficult, make sure you're managing your time and effort on steemit wisely! As you gain SP and followers it's possible that you can start to generate some returns on posts, but it's generally not too worthwhile until then unless you are posting on one of the dapps that curates, or within a specific tag under certain guidelines for groups that curate.

Harsh reality time, most people don't stick around! Don't be too bummed out if people you like happen to stop using steemit. I too am disappointed to see many people become disinterested in the platform after watching them try for a long time, and I haven't even been here that long compared to many others. I can understand why people do, and can't blame them! Understand that your own time has value, and that you need to be realistic about the costs and benefits of being here, and keep a healthy balance. For those of you who have alternative means of earning decent income, don't write off those means, as that's a privilege!

As far as becoming an established player on steemit, in many instances luck plays a role, but if you never put forward the effort through your content and establishing genuine human connections then you reduce your chances of succeeding on the platform to 0. So at least take comfort in the fact that if you continue to put effort in, you technically have an infinitely better chance of making it here than anyone who's stopped posting or interacting! Do what's best for you, and I hope your journey here is at least an interesting one!