Hi @grimjim.
Firstly, let me say that I have enjoyed several of your videos in the past, although I think we disagree on a lot of subjects, I find your manner and insight is valuable.
Regarding why you do not get a lot of up votes on Steem, this is very clear to me but apparently not clear to you. You mention (it at 14 minutes for anyone else reading) that some posts get a lot of up votes while yours don't get (hardly) any, "and yet there's no easy way to see the difference between the two."
The reason is that you are not engaging with the platform as you clearly see it as just a kind of complicated crypto Patreon. You have only commented once in the last month, twice in the month before that and only seven times the month before that. In the explanation of your process and your personal challenges (which was interesting to hear by the way, hope you continue to find your way well in that) you obviously have a premium on your time, but that notwithstanding your lack of engagement blocks your chance of success on Steem.
If you can carve out a few minutes (at least every day you post a video) to engage with some other content on the platform I have no doubt that you will increase your follows and thus likely your up votes, and thus likely contribute more to sustaining yourself with video output. The only people who can get away with just posting stuff are those with already huge followings.
Personally I think there is an audience here for your content. You'd do well to heed my advice!
RE: Things an Ageing Gothabilly will do for Money - No.5 will shock and arouse you!