This is impressive work @inquiringtimes. I'm truly humbled that you would start this piece off with one of my musings.
I too started with following a lot of new people here. Before I knew it I was following over 400 people and...well I learned to surf the feeds to find interesting content and people.
Yesterday I did the unthinkable. I unfollowed everyone but first I made a 'two months in' post and stated my thoughts, hopes and a bit of my background.
I had been trying to go through each person I was following and checking their blog to unfollow the obvious spammers and scammers but I gave up by the time I was into the Bs. So yesterday I just bit the bullet and unfollowed the lot with the thought I'll add back those who I feel I've made a good connection with or those who I'm following because I find their content interesting/useful.
I'm not a prolific content provider here so I will be resteeming for curation...at least I think resteeming is an important part of the curation process. Some I'll resteem simply because I believe they have a track record of getting large payouts which should, over time, build up my steem power. It seems this is the most important course of action because you can do more good the more SP you have.
As you already know I do my best sharing in commenting on others posts. I've researched and written a dozen posts of my own that I just never bothered posting. I guess it's anxiety cramping my style as somethings, regardless of the amount of research I put in, is just not I feel my place to give my own observances.
I've said enough here I think but I will check out some of the links provided to help improve my own work. It's a slow process for me. What takes you "more than a few hours" to research and write takes me a day or two. I hope to get more organized using the links you've provided here.
It certainly seems your strategy is starting to gain you more steem power...and a supportive following. Congratulations! ~smiles~
UVed/RSed/Following };-)>