I took the long game too. I was stuck on 99 for months! Earning less than a dollar per piece for most of that time too. You'll get there.

I think they might be doing it to discourage people who think they can join, write shit, and earn. If they have to put effort into accruing 100 followers, it might increase the quality of writing and the people who aren't doing it seriously might quit. I don't know. It's just a theory. I can't think of any other reason.