HI Will, I have a different perspective. Although I think it is good to be realistic, and not over-optimistic to the point of burying your head in the sand, it is possible to do well here starting from scratch. Look at @Papa-pepper. His posts are averaging $80-$300. He started from ground zero. No previous blogging experience or following. I've met the guy in person when I visited my brother in law, @bluerthangreen in Arkansas a few months ago. They live in the same area as homesteaders. Papa-pepper really does handle snakes and geckos and different animals--a super nice, laid back, but hard-working guy that started on Steemit while working a full-time job, homesteading, and raising a family. True, he started about a year ago, but he created good content, learned as he went along, and slowly, over time his posts increased in value. He and his family bought a plot of land--I saw it--and they are going to be able to build their home debt-free because of the revenue he's earned on Steemit! So, although the rich may have an advantage, with consistent hard work, those on the bottom can also increase too.