@gillianpearce - upvoting by people who have been here and build a reputation has the power of their reputation score to vote their approval or encourage newbies.
Today is day 29 here for me and my reputation score is next to my user name but SP and other stats are (spelling it out for newbies):
https://steemd.com/@freedomshift
https://steemnow.com/@freedomshift
My goal is to Power Up whenever the "exchange ratio" or the price / cost to do so is near a low point.
My other goal is to increase my reputation score - something that I have to earn.
This post shows exactly what is important and what is not so much.
All the best!