Excellent advice bro and what a number indeed 12k followers even if some of them are currently inactive but at one point of their Steemit lives they liked what you were saying and hit that follow button.
Indeed money is a good motivator and so it is understandable that others will not spending time here. Yet that supports who truly are the early adopters as they will keep on steeming because of the network and connections they have made and they see the money as good to have but not the primary reason.
I have steadily been gaining followers as well and although not even 1/4 of what you have but I am fairly satisfied. Also just keep getting more Steem Power. It is the time of the accumulation of Steem Power by either buying or keeping posting!