Not at all....people will tell you what they think and their reaction also shows you what they think...how they treat you differently over time and what people you havent met think and treat you. Feedback is way more subtle than just dollar returns. People talk and spread the word. other artists in your genre also talk amongst themselves. Lots goes on behind your back, which takes time and its degree is determined by your input and determination.

The most important thing is being a character....a personality as such that people remember. Even in sport this is important sometimes more than your talent or abilities. How many sportstars do you know that had a few good games and maybe one a champ or two but can no longer 'cut it'.....they remain prety successful nonetheless and some even do better. Its because they have a character or personality that they wield in front of them. People remember that whether they like you or not.....they still remember it and connect to it.

Art of any kind will never work within the framework of an economy. As soon as you use money as the aim for art it gets watered down into formulaic tripe that is more a formula than a creative expression. I would think that is obvious in this day and age. Art gets corrupted by economics and made into a transient trend that soon wears out its welcome only to be replaced by the next trendy thing and so on....milked and left dry so that no-one ever goes back there. Thats called exploitation and is something that big business has perfected in all aspects of our life....just look at the poor state of our world right now. Business has no future left as it has just about used everything up.

To know requires you to be connected intimately with your community. It means you have to listen to what people say and how they react to your expression. You have to put yourself aside and read between the lines. You have to be able to analyse your path and see 'ego-lessly' how far you have come and what you represent. You have to know why people want to go out and dance and be silly in the first place. What do they want from someone like you? What can you give them?

You essentially play/write in order to communicate something to people.....why? What are you trying to say. Is it getting through? How do they react? What do they say?

Where will you go next? Will you follow someone elses lead or will you stand out by yourself in your own words/actions.