I don't think Hive's userbase will increase gradually, rather exponentially.

It will. Things will explode once the right node is tapped into. I think the microblogging that Leo is putting together will cause a massive growth increase. We simply have to frame it as a frontend to twitter and the way to secure one's account and data.

I think marketing will make a huge difference...

Ironically, what most people overlook is we are our own marketing force. Look at what marketing firms do: they go to social media and promote their wares.

We are social media. It is only a matter of providing the users with what they need.