I am reading these days the writers who were really misunderstood or invisible by their peers or society during their time. A couple of decades later, their ideas have grown from seed to big trees. Now, some of them called “the best poet in the 20th century” or “ the man who changed modern economic theory” etc.
Most of them had little or no audience while they were living. What makes them keep doing what they were doing? I honestly don’t know very well. Probably their passion and dedication to bigger causes.
Audience, fans, subscribers, or followers are not only indicators of success. Having them around you is not something you can really control. If you have, good for you. If not you don’t need them. When you first started to create, they were not there anyway. Don’t forget your mission.