Of course one can simply "power up" SBD rewards, which I've done for most of my rewards. But I held back about a third of my accumulated rewards, and I am "slowly" converting them to SBD using services like rocky1.
I don't think I've earned anything this way, maybe broken even. But instead of breaking even in SBD, this way I'm gradually converting my SBD to VP.
There was a time when the increased visibility seemed to help my posts, but in the current state of affairs that doesn't appear to make a difference.
I've toyed with simply giving up on posting on this platform, but I decided to try and hang in there at least until I've converted all my SBD to VP -- and secretly hoping somehow things will change.
I don't expect to earn anything doing it, but for now I'm just enjoying deep diving on subjects that interest me and posting about them. :-)
I will stick with the platform, but I am not satisfied at all by the way things are running right now. I read that @kevinwong and @trafalgar had some ideas to how curation could be up prioritized... not sure what that would mean: https://steemit.com/steem/@trafalgar/help-fix-steem-s-economy
Right now I am making my art and comics anyway because I can afford it, but it is time I again begin to earn some money. It would be nice if Steemit could be that place, but doubtful.
I like your approach to Steemit, I do hope Steemit could become universal in a way that could open up opportunities for creative people like you to reach a mass audience. Fingers crossed.
Yes, fingers crossed!