In a sense, it's a bit like blogging on Steemit. Some people believe that the answer to success here means you have to get 5000 followers. In truth, you're way better off trying to make 50-100 sincere Friends who loyally follow you and care about your content.

With art, part of the way people miss the point is in thinking that EVERYONE is a market for their art. But that's simply not true-- most artists have a pretty narrow niche.

I agree with your idea that building a "core" following is better, and forget about the surrounding trends.