Of course no one tells you how things go in Steemit - it's a pretty new platform, almost no one uses it in my friends circle. It's complicated, yes, but I think steemit will only get better and better with time. I think now is the best time to join, because later on it will be even harder to be noticed.
In any case, those, who came here to only make easy money, will be disappointed no matter what platform they're on.
I think the key is patience, consistency and organic growth, no one made it overnight and that's how things should be in my opinion :) Would you agree?