We are all looking for upvotes as validation for the quality of the content of what we post.
Votes, for reasons that really do escape me are few and far between.
Don't let the lack of them upset you.
Of equal validation and therefore pleasure giving are
Views and comment count.
It all comes down to motivation of course.
If you're posting on Steemit purely for monitory gain then your chance of personal gratification will be more than halved.