Find a subject(s) or group on steemit you resonate with and enjoy participating in. Post quality is way more important than amount of posts you make.

Consistent participation over time will build your account, more of a constant grind that steadily builds up value rather than a few quick articles that earn hundreds of dollars. All of the posts earning a few dollars now will be much more valuable as Steem starts approaching fair value and mass adoption.

Cryptocurrency is a very volatile market right now and will likely stay that way for several years. HODL is the name of the game until things steady out and integrate into our way of life.