Not all altcoins can be held for a long term return. Some are just meant to make good profit with the volatility then back off or take advantage of the hype get a good profit and abandon the project for another. Only a few altcoin can guarantee one a good return on a long term base. To hold on a long term means a deep research before holding
That's how the market works, you need to understand and you need to assess each project that you wanted to participate.
Not all are good for a long while, some are, but most of it is just plain hypes and only those who know the game well are there
one who really gains a good amount of compensations.
The fact of the matter is that as long as you make profits, timeframes won't matter. That is, if you as an investor invested first on knowledge either with money or time (paid or free knowledge) before investing on any asset. This is what'll make the difference between a winner and a loser. Now with how much you win or lose is a different story which depends on risk tolerance and experience.
But then again, there are those that are lucky as hell that win lottery-like jackpots on crypto investments which is very rare though.