Hi @bluemist! I feel the main problem with Steem is the direct association to Steemit as a blogging platform. Steem is a Crypto at first, with a wide arrange of services and features (we can easily say it's the most complete one out there given Utopian/Dtube/Dlive/Fundition and many more).
I think people do not see Steem as a direct investment opportunity, as it could be for other coins. Having a fat SP stake is no different by any means to holding Dash MN, and the ROI is probably much better or higher.

I am really confident on the future of STEEM!