If I had the technical expertise, I'd start a bid bot. Hands down that's the best approach. If you can sell votes on the side too, better for you, but you'll get caught eventually. Although apparently no one really cares.

With the skills I have, I could vote all my own posts, like a jerk. If the goal is to maximize my returns within the 4 weeks, I would just vote for myself. I would ask for the new account with 1,000SP for 4 weeks and I would only vote my own stuff. That's it.

If we're looking at the long-term approach, I would do the same thing that I'm doing now. I would continue to vote for the content I like, for the people I like, and they'd continue to vote for me. My votes for them would make them stronger and their votes for me would make me stronger. That being said, it would take time.