"...it takes a lot of work..."
No, it doesn't. It doesn't matter at all what work you do.
It only matters who upvotes you, and whether some of the wrong people downvote you.
I know, because I have received a $100 payout. It was not my best post. I didn't work harder at it, or buy more botvotes.
It was a gift.
@haejin is the best example of how the platform works I have seen. He's even redefining how it works, by actually forming a coalition to oppose his opposition.
He reminds me of John DeLorean, bucking the system.
I wish him better success.