Any steemit newbie really needs to bookmark this post because it's solid information and practices that I've been implementing from the beginning. I'm almost 2 months in and my following has increased to over 180! 10 new followers overnight.
I also want to make a note about commenting... It's an observation really. If you are a serial upvoter and don't comment, your voting power is decreased. but comments help offset the vote power drain.
Also, if you find a newbie commenting similarly on multiple posts, sometimes they just don't know that it's spammy. Give them a quick message, mentor, don't harass them. If they continue on the same path, then take it to the next step. A lot of people are blogging for the first time in their life so a little levity may be called for. :)