I agree it can be very hard to get started and to grow if you a brand new user to steemit. It's easy to slip through the cracks even if your making very good content..
The number one thing I would suggest is google and read as much as you can.
Next is checking out the various discords and building community with the people you have similar values to. Make sure to read the rules and be respectful, many people come in, spam links and get banned.
These are probably the best 2 for newer users.
PALnet discord https://discord.gg/hGWapY
MinnowBooster - https://discord.gg/UFEr2
(These links last 1 day but you can find new invites by google searching)
RE: Creating a more Secure, Fair, and Decentralized Steemit #1