I'm afraid this was probably your problem:
"postpromotion channel"
I too started out there, and quickly learned it was just a place where people will spam you with PMs to upvote their stuff. Any upvotes you get there will be 2 cent sized.
I believe you are better off sticking to churning out comments and new content to promote yourself, rather than haggling with the most beginner area of the minnow pool.
Just my 2 cents, could be wrong, maybe PP was on a bad week when I hung out there.
I have honestly found my home in the #minnowsupportproject and the people there. Amazing community.
It is indeed a great crew of helpful people.