Rome wasn't built in a day!
Remember, you're up against stiff competition.
The first people to join: They have a head start on all of us so they know each other back when steemit was small. There is an accusation floating around that these individuals only vote each other with their vast wealth of steem power? I don't subscribe to that view.
People who are already established on the web: Youtube, Facebook, Twitter. Most bring hundreds of followers with them to steemit. I can cite at least two individuals off the top of my head.
People who purchase Steem: Buying steem on the crypto markets with dollars, bitcoins or some other crypto currency. Remember, the more steem power you have the bigger the rewards. I saw someone the other day who spent a $1000.00 on steem thus giving them a much better influence and obviously much greater rewards.
There is one other comment I'll make which you may not like? While you may think your stuff is quality (I'm making no judgement here) others may not agree with you.
Consitancy seems to be working for me, creating a regular topic that people can get used to/look forward to with the odd smattering of 'something different' every now and then. I'm in no hurry to have 100,000 followers or $1000,000.00 steem power et al but each day in small steps my account status gets better and better.
