I hear you, took me 2 months of fooling with carts, different filler material, leaking messes ect, before I discovered direct dripping. Dripping is phenomenal, no more leaky carts, no mess, I just carry a 3ml bottle around with me lasts 2-3 days, I love it. So how do I drip?
First remove the inner cartridge, I don't use the inner cart when I drip, set it aside for a rainy day
Second drop 2-3 drops directly on the atty bridge (metal wire looking thing)
Third put the outer cartridge back on the atty and vape away
Fourth when the vapor starts tapering off and you get a weird taste drop another 2-3 drops
As an aside I find this is a great way to regulate how much you are
vaping, myself I find a drip session equivalent to a cigarette.