I encouarage all beginners to keep writing quality blogs for pleasure. You will earn nothing for a long time, but eventually your followers will come.
So true all you've said, and I can relate to all you've said. When I started, I spent hours making video tutorials on how to design a resume, and all I got was some few cents, it was frustrating but I did not relent, I kept on going and I'm still keeping on, although I haven't began earning like I would from my blog post, but active commenting has earned me more than I make from writing post and the breakthrough was yours truly @swissclive who upvoted one of my comments generously, ☺
Next being active in communities on discord, telegram would get you followers and that can lead to you getting some upvotes.
Finally there are contests one can participate in, which can as well get you some upvotes and followers.