1) You may not have found the right project yet. I've seen some people do one or two before something really catches on. Me, the first thing (the Poetry Fishbowl) did great but I've had only minor results from subsequent attempts in other areas. This can be handled by trying different types of project.
2) You may not have found the right audience yet. Different people like different things and that can take time to build connections. That's a networking issue.
3) Your skill may not be far enough along yet to sustain a fanbase. That one is solved by practice.
Re: oh good heavens
1) You may not have found the right project yet. I've seen some people do one or two before something really catches on. Me, the first thing (the Poetry Fishbowl) did great but I've had only minor results from subsequent attempts in other areas. This can be handled by trying different types of project.
2) You may not have found the right audience yet. Different people like different things and that can take time to build connections. That's a networking issue.
3) Your skill may not be far enough along yet to sustain a fanbase. That one is solved by practice.