Questions about upping steem game?

My biggest question to you both; how did you go about building up the following that you have? I mean, was it through the tedious process of just continuing to post and gradually building up, or was there a specific method and approach that was dedicated to drawing in people?

On that line - what do you find the best method to draw people into engaging in the comment sections? Offering prizes has been a benefit, it would seem, but what would you recommend to the minnows to help get some conversations going in the comments?