Don't know if this has already been discussed, as I'm pushed for time and am simply too lazy to check, but have been wondering one thing; what use is there for the Dark Mark?

Aside from being a way to call his followers, what use would Voldemort have from marking his followers with something that is so recognizable and incriminating?

The man is meant to be one of the most smartest and successful Dark Lord's in the wizarding world, so why would be dumb enough to risk his followers' freedom with the Dark Mark, and therefore hinder himself.

I can't remember most of HBP or DH, so I don't know if there is a canon explanation for this, but does anyone have reasoning for this?

 

1. The dark mark wasn't a well-known to the majority of wizards as you think
2. The dark mark causes pain. Voldemort links fear of pain with respect; even his first defeat he spoke about as a triumph instead of something to be avoided.
3. We saw the psychological reasoning behind hiding one of his horcruxes in Gringotts - a place he'd never have reason to access. Imagine the hard-on he gets knowing that the elite of wizarding society carry his mark around like cattle.

 

Also, from HBP we know that wards (or whatever the appropriate term is) can be set up to only allow peope who have a Dark Mark to pass.