i believe hive has so much to offer in different ways and earning streams like curation, posting, simply holding and staking hive or hbd, other hive tokens, playing games and earning, commenting, adding liquidity and the list goes on. People can buy/sell actual times or services with Hive and HBD and so on.
At the same time i need and i strongly believe that something must be done regarding the dhf. Actual money, a lot of money are being wasted and there is not an actual "good" filter let's say. Those funds could be used way more efficiently to market hive and to fund good projects that will bring more people. Then there is marketing. you made some attempts with agencies and stuff if i remember correctly and you know way better why things are working as we would hope so, please share a few details regarding that if you wish!
Moreover, we need to retain the users here, these people via word of mouth will bring more and more. In best case scenario you can earn from posting/ commenting around 300$-500$, btw only a few accounts earn that much. That amount and lower than that which is more accurate is not something an American or European, or Australian or even an Asian depending on the country, will try to pursue in comparison to work. It needs tons of effort to be seen, recognised even if you have decent content and we are not that many, imagine if we would. Thus, many don't stay. As i say i came for the money i stayed for the community. Based on my Hive rewards from posting/curating if not working i would be homeless :p
Last but not least and i am guilty as well, as a community we don't do a lot of things together to market hive. sure i may have talked to some friends about it but not actively posting via twitter and social media like only some actually do!