There are many people who have strategies to get payouts. I think the biggest thing is participate. Create your own interesting posts, make well written and informed replies and up vote posts which you think deserve it. I believe the first 50 votes you make in the day are the most valuable. Check your wallet every day because I think it takes about a week for the steem to start fogging in (someone please correct me if I am wrong). Of course I only make pennies but I take joy in learning.