I agree with your point in principal, it's what I've been doing for the last week and can say that I'm pleased with the more reliable indication of the potential reward.
However, there is another angle to this in that there is the potential to be shown in the 'hot' feed for your tags as well as the 'new' feed.
The difference could be accounted for in upvotes that you wouldn't have gained if it weren't for the additional exposure - you also stand to make more in future if you gain new followers.
It's not guaranteed to work but it is an additional perspective!
RE: Why you are burning money if you use whale voting bots (incorrectly)!