It take a lot of consistency and various approaches from many different angles. Unfortuntately, it is currently not possible to only focus on the blog part if one isn't interested in the community engagement part. I don't see that ending anytime soon.

The other thing many people struggling don't realise is that there is more to the platform than what is on the platform. there are lots of projects and a lot of relationship building that goes on in steemit.chat or discord channels. It is difficult to get the head around all the possibilities so many do not bother.

Many of the trending authors (I won't say all) have been here building the community in various ways for the last year and a half or so but, most of that is done behind the scenes.

It is possible for new authors to get decent returns but, it does take a hell of a lot of work unless luck steps in.