Try to use images and useful tags. For example I am making a Pun of the day series, basically a word play that one may find funny, so I use the tags : -pun puns fun funny humor- and then I go on Steemit.chat and advertise it(paste the link if the post) on #postpromotion chat channel. do the same and you will find better results.
RE: I've made a few serious posts and the only one to get $ was the accidental one that said "oops cant delete this'