It may not be the way the game is played, but what you are doing sounds like the original intention.
I will upvote based on whether I feel it deserves it from my point of view.
If I read someone's post about - e.g. fixing a car - I can't really give it anything, as I have absolutely no idea about car mechanics. What if it was complete utter rubbish? Like, fake news? I'd be promoting a post that was untrue.
So I keep my votes for posts I agree with or that I know something about and feel this post/writer deserves it.
I'm only a minnow however - so I realise my vote has less value in the big scheme of things.
Love your work, bro.
😊🙏🏽☯️