I know what you mean. I put up 100's of articles and most didn't make me money. It was only after a while as my reputation number increased and I accumulated more SP that things picked up. The low price of steem has sure effected my voting power. I used to have a dollar twenty five per vote ($1.25) and now it is about 20 cents($0.21). I have used voting services and it may help slightly. I am not sure how good they are in the long term. Also, when you use a upvote bot, it also helps the voters and commenters. About 19 to 25% of the payout gets divided between them.
Hang in there. Keep posting those quality posts and it will get brighter!
What do you think of the ethics?
Thanks.
Also thanks for your up vote my comment. This is the most earn reward so far since I joined.
You're welcome my friend.
life is always unfair, same as steemit.
Think positive. We are what we think. Think good things and they will become your reality. Keep smiling!