I've been posting on and off on nostr for quite some time and have 500 followers, many of whom like the content I post on X but not the same content when posted here. 

I think it's the lack of algorithms which means you either see content which already has lots of views (if sorting by popular) or content which has just been posted (if sorting by recent posts).  

 This is a "yes and..." type situation  

 What’s that? 😅 

 it's a yes lack of algorithms hurt AND there are other ways to grow a following

nostr current rewards engaging more than posting 

 It does seem that way!