I could not agree more with this post. The main draw card for me to steem was always that you own the connections with your followers in the sense that they are peer to peer connections over the blockchain. As someone with 80k followers elsewhere I have seen fist hand how quickly reach can fluctuate on controlled platforms where sometimes you cant even communicate with a small % of them. When IG forced all users with over 50k onto business accounts my so called organic reach was cut and simply replaced with a "promote your post to reach x thousand more users" advertisement.
I am impressed with how its evolving here and still a strong believer. Its time will come.
Once the hooks are in and the reliance is built, there is very little one can do other than leave. So much time and effort invested to own nothing.
This is obviously different on Steem and I really hope many people like yourself find and build homes here for you and your audiences. This place could be amazing once enough people realize that the real value of experience requires ownership and community.
Takes time though, and plenty of work that most aren't accustomed to doing yet.