I think the first hour is what should not be used for bot votes. Let your regular readers vote in 20-60 minutes window so that they can collect some SP as curation reward. Use of bots after that will enhance their curation rewards.

I agree and that's something I have started to do recently. I want to reward my readers so I let them get first dibs on the upvotes etc...And then after it's been hour or so, I'll start promoting.

Interesting note you made about the ROI....To me, if I can get on the radars of other Steemians, that's my end goal. Never thought I'd make any extra cash using the bots except maybe things like SmartSteem / Minnowbooster.

Maybe I'm just an odd one lol I try to use the bid bots for one thing only....Getting noticed.

Awesome content as always sir!