The thing about a collection is, theme and title it well. You can put posts related to your post's subject in there, and pick a set of strong hashtags and pay close attention to what community to do that in. If you add other people's posts in there, describe them well, and mention the creator -- "I added this post by @curamax because ... ." OBVIOUSLY, they will check it out, read your compliment to their posts, and be interested in who you are. Again: engagement is key and Hive is a place in which many fine creators are starving for attention even during the first seven days, to say nothing of afterward.

Picking a strong trend and community means you know where to go prime the pump: go comment and vote thoughtfully on a lot of authors who are writing well about what you are about to post about AND/OR, go comment and vote on those who follow you and let them know you are around. Generate a lot of activity, and then publish into it.

Use the short-form Hive things well -- build an audience on Waves or Threads or Snaps (or ALL OF THEM) and then link to your collection there over the course of your day, with a good photo and strong hashtags.

This obviously works for every day posts as well -- it's a bit of work, but look at what you will accomplish inside the existing system.

The post: seven days
The collection: another seven days
The short-form post: another seven days

Bonus: Put a portion of your increased earnings in HBD savings. My posts and collections from previous years still pay me. Think about it... you already have evergreen access...