@pandorasbox you basically just recited my steemit journey, thus I'm actually writing this response before I look at your blog to see if my experiences and assumptions are on point.

I can measure the impact minnowsupport and other groups have had on my growth, all I know is I have been involved with them so it couldn't have hurt. It was a year of posting regularly on steemit before I saw any decent returns.

As for minnowsupport there is no pressure, you can come and go as you please. It's just a community of people trying to uplift each other with a focus on minnows.

So the answer is Yes. It will be beneficial because in the end, interacting with others on steemit is the best path to growth. Whether its minnowsupport, whaleshares or any of the other groups on discord that are filled with steemians.

And if it's any consolation - there are plenty of users in the crypto space still crushing me on payouts whose work is considered sub-par to mine. I try not to focus on that, but on my own work and what I can control.

In the end, posting about something you love and would do for free is the key to steemit, otherwise frustration will always set in. I speak from experience!