You have described a similar scenario i was in here.

In the beginning I wanted to come on this platform with "guns blazing" and get known by the community as fast as possible... after a few days in, I was like damn this is hard.

I did post 3 articles and all earned in total $0.57!!!!
I paused and went undercover to study more about the community and how everything works.

After one month being undercover,i learned about the community and i went on a commenting spree and i also made a post that earned me $6.

I am now looking for ways to add Steem Power and be a boss.
By end of next year i will be a boss too!