Ohh bro!! it is all truth what you say!! agree!!
No, it isn't nor will it ever be all about "Quality". You can't just post your content and wait.
You really need to do NETWORKING that's what will set your blog in fire.
The investment might be time grinding or terrific content or money, but there will have to be something that makes you stand out and be different from all the rest of the posts and that attracts special interest in your post.
Exactly like that!!
you have to "impress" people to get their upvotes. or make some meaningful through which you may "deserve" those votes among all the people wanting them too.