Yes, you're right, I consider too, that steemit.com is still the better solution to earn some money. But you have to be damn good and talented and it demands lots of efforts. People don't like to make efforts. If you are an early adopter that is a huge multiplier of your chances even if you are not gifted. And people like to take chances. :-)
I checked sometimes @anniversary posts (it stopped recently). It's really sad that so many people are leaving. According to its last post, two years ago 337 people joined Steemit and only two of them are still active. The drop-out is too big, there are hardly new improvements. Many of those who came because of the money they are moving forward. That way it is really tough to build an audience.
And if you have this experience with steemit.com you will give it a thought to join something similar, where you can be among the first ones.
Wasn't this the whole idea? To reward people who are damn good and talented and who are putting in a lot of efforts?