Hive is an interesting beast.

There is the potential for hundreds of dollars on a single post. Then there is the reality that without connections and exposure your lucky to get 0.02 Hive for a single post. You are so right to temper expectations with reality. Hard work CAN net you cash but I know how hard I work on my posts and how much I've made. $10,000 HBD in one year would be more work than I'd be capable of :)