To a certain extent you do. Personally, I invested in Steem power and that helped tremendously. I couldn't even imagine with starting with no money. It's still possible to grow obviously with amazing content.
Disregarding the money offered on Steem, it's a great place to learn about an industry. The amount of free information you are given on here is incredible. You are getting paid to attain information and also contribute information which is AMAZING.
GO STEEM!
If you can invest then that is best for you as well as steem. But not all of us can.
And I perfectly content with what I've achieved without investing. Just look at the alternatives and Steem is better in every way
It’s still possible to make money without investing which is the great part about Steem.