It's simple you upvote a post if you like it.

You comment on a post if you feel you have something of value to add or would like to connect with the author and let them know they did a good job.

When you get comments on your own article you can choose to upvote each comment so it will move up in the order putting the better comments on top.

Don't beg or ask people to follow you in a comment its just silly.

After a while you will start to get curation rewards so stick at it and you will get the hang of it.

Welcome to Steem and good luck.