@walkingkeys, your blog read very similar to what I would have advised to newbies. I checked your profile page and saw that we are very similar and close in terms of our time here, our perceptions and the way we go around steemit. I am glad I found someone who has a similar mindset as mine.
I never ask any one to follow me, nor upvote my blog or ask them to resteem. I always reply to the point while commenting and never digress from the subject. Just keeping the comment related to the subject blog.
I have done exactly the same thing that you have mentioned here. I am a first time blogger here, 3 weeks old, and already convinced that only sincere hard work will take me somewhere in steemit.
And my comments are always very long. I use my mobile most of the time and my finger aches in typing and correcting my words. It is painful at times, but I can't write short comments you see. It's my habit to be a bit elaborate always 😊
Anyways, Thanks for echoing my mind. God bless.