if you want to promote a post using bots you can decline rewards and then bot it up so you're not profiting.
BUT, while it takes more effort, building a network is more effective. Are you sharing on Twitter? Lots of Steemians on there. There is weekly post promotion shows call Pimp Your Post Thursday I run on discord where you can promote your posts and get to know others.
There are ways to grow without bots. I see that curation found you.
!Shade 3
RE: DOWNVOTES: A Completely Non-Tech, Creative Take