I understand what you mean, but I'm not sure a larger fanbase necessarily gives you more creative freedom.
After all, we've all heard of bands who'd rather be playing their new stuff, but who know the fans at concerts want to hear the old hits.
After all, we've all heard of bands who'd rather be playing their new stuff, but who know the fans at concerts want to hear the old hits.
This is no model to live your life.
I just think that's true for people with a large number of customers too.
If customers have subscribed to my patreon to see my artwork of scantily clad anime ladies, I gotta keep giving them what they want whether I've got 100 customers paying $100/month or 10,000 customers paying $1/month.
I am of the opinion that every established Content Creator starts to care less and less. And is better off for it! And I am also of the opinion that George RR Martin/JK Rowling/Tom Clancy/Stephen King loathe their most hardcore fans while being paid to attend Cons. Inevitable.