@lukestokes I realize this is an older post, but I just wanted to say I agree with you. I've only been here about 17 days, and it does get frustrating posting articles and making $0.00 on them, but I believe it'll pay off in the long run. I didn't have money to put into Steem when I started, but I was at least able to get going. My account is only worth about $8.00 right now, but my reputation is rising (slowly), and I did have one article that is due to pay out about $50.00 in about another day. I keep posting the best articles that I can produce, even though I'm not a great writer, and I keep commenting and voting. I have faith it'll pay off. Hopefully I'll be about to put a little something into purchasing some Steem Power, also.