... engagement will not get u far (in a shorter term period). Too much time invested for almost nothing.
If you are looking at value on comments votes then yes, but what is the value if you attract accounts to your blog - could be a lot over time.
Big ones are not around engaging except on other whale posts. Result of that is people not engaging as before and they will not engage unless they see the leaders doing it.
I think we have to assume stakeholders will not comment much. I think you need to find a group of like-minded people are ride the Hive with them.