You wrote a good post.
I think you got it how it worked here.
As you mention the thing about the follower it reminded me on my own post i made about it.

It's true, not the number of followers matters rather the quality of them.
Writing good content is your foundation. Then if you like it or not you have to brand yourself and, you must be visible and then​ to build a loyal community.

The Community is the most important thing. But they will not come if they dont even know you or if you are a boring person in their eys.