Q: How does someone become a #whale, do they have to make a lot of posts or receive a lot of upvotes?

A: The surest way to become a whale would be to buy a lot of STEEM POWER, if you're wealthy enough to do it. If that's not an option, you'll have to earn it. It might take a long time, or a lot of luck, to post your way into being a whale. But there's nothing wrong with being a dolphin.