I've just seen this post of yours..
Said whale has NEVER voted on my stuff even when I put out music videos but has on some of my friends posts.

I had appreciator a few times, but that died away too.
Personally I wouldn't bank on them anyhow, what is quality and what isn't is in the eye of the beholder and a lot of stuff gets upvoted that I think shouldn't as no effort was put in whatsoever.

What I find is really important is, as someone here has said already, to join communities to share stuff with likeminded people and going on from there, make contact with others. That IS the hard bit and not for everyone, but give and take is what works in life and is the same here.

Vote and comment as much as you can or have you done that already? You've been here so much longer than me.
I'd like to think I have actually made friends here over the past year and love the interaction and seeing what others do.
Of course, you can't do that very well when you travel.. ;)

Take care my friend!