You're not alone, @geekpowered. I've hosted contests with $1 to First Place =$20 SBD and more, and only half a dozen entries - I'd extend deadlines, keep it simple and flexible. Last contest, I had only ONE ENTRY. One. But it was worth it because I came to know @sarez and we went on to co-write several #freewrite #wewrite stories. And that was fun.
But I keep hearing that Steemit is dead - I've lost count of the people who've bailed ou - and yet here I am, thanks mainly to @mariannewest @freewrite @d-pet #dogsofsteemit and too many others to rattle off from the top of my head. (My broken head with the misfiring circuitry.) Where are the new and better places? I dunno, but I'd sooner put down roots somewhere than keep pulling up to jump ship again.