I always had a hard time understanding what a club is as well. I remember some used it as I was still hosting contests for CCC. Not one of the participants I knew for many years explained me how or what. Today I see a part of those who struggled back than and they suddenly became big (hard to believe since they always complain and blame it on the government so perhaps that was a good trick).
If clubs make you be noticed more? I doubt it. I have two accounts and the one with club100 never received a higher upvote and my community Tales & Stories is ignored as well (I bought the Steem to vote others and a part of my other earnings I invest there as well). Some might do fantastic with a club or perhaps they did back then but there are way more who never earn a 1 dollar no matter if they join a club and set burnsteem.
It is true that I have also noticed. I have losted club75 not knowing how to maintain but I noticed that some communites in which I participate they doesn't care about clubs like @freewrites @italygame @monkeybusiness but there are too many who cared about the club
If you have no club you can't join contest I think it is weird. Just think some newcomers who have skills to show and they can't be participated because they have no club.
This seems to be weird since when I have losted my club due to lack of information. What if someone don't get paid of their work they don't get club due to low steem that's means they don't have the right to participate.
This pisses me off already.