It is a viscous cycle indeed. The only way to get noticed with any type of certainty is to pay to play. That in of itself it not evil, what is, is that pure trash can peculate to the top.

I believe at this point it is fine to use it to get a little visibility for quality work, if viewed as a form of advertisement budget, since there is very little alternate when you are getting started.

Smartmarket seems to have a little more voting power these days.

Blessings!