What I've tried to say is that the "kind/content" of followers you have matters a lot. Quality content attracts followers and your followers are more likely to be your voters. A good amount of your upvotes will come from them. If you managed to get at least few dolphins as followers, then your posts can earn decent amounts.
Using upvote bots have helped me with the visibility too. Also good titles help in my experience.
I understood you, but still don't agree with part of your comment.
To hold different ideas is important :-)