Perhaps you were unlucky with the choice of projects. There are many drops with and without investments that pay with their tokens. Especially now when there is strong activity in the crypt, drops are a great opportunity to make money.
I never invest to any airdrops it suppose to be free to those who participate but if it's asks for KYC or ask for payment then it's not a free airdrop I don't have much insight on paid airdrops but for me, it's not safe because they ask for a payment first before you can get airdrop it is the same as you are buying their coins/token.
Take note not all free airdrops are worth it but in my experience, I received some airdrops before that skyrocket in altcoin season I just deposited a small amount for a gas fee to sell them but the gas fee at that time was very expensive but still I made profit holding the token that I received from the airdrop.
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I also don't have the experience and knowledge of choosing a good airdrop project. I am more focused as a holder and trader. Because it's not easy to choose projects in airdrops, several times I failed to participate in airdrops and wothless, didn't get anything. Airdrops that ask for KYC should be left behind, personal ID is very important.