He is absolutely doing it wrong. You don't need that many words to upvote yourself :-P
But the system is sound.
- Write a really long post so you collect the Google Search bounty some time down the track.
- Repeat the same rant you've used before
- Upvote massively
- Convince people you are loved because of the post value. Wow! Amazing!
- Offer free gift
- Allude to having massive value if you join.
- Curate 20 Steemians to all be in the same circle jerk.
- Then get then to read another 30 posts, that all read the same.
Missing: Limited one-time offer, join the mailing list
TL;DR Just write 500 good words and upvote the fuck out of yourself. #smartsharkschool
At least you caught on to the apparent plan of creating a "circle jerk" while he pulls sleight of hand tricks and says those don't work.