I definitely know where you're coming from. Those who make a consistent figure such as $1-3 a day have either invested a lot of time or a lot of money (or most likely, both) in the platform. As you said, there are many other steps also involved and so, it doesn't make much financial sense to come to this blockchain if you want to make a lot of money in the near-term. If you believe in the future of Steem, then coming here to earn STEEM for your labor is a good move, provided that you're willing to hodl that STEEM for the forseeable future.