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I am half asleep here so please feel free to ask me to clarify if I get weird sounding! 

I know its a lot of peoples first move to blame the popularity contest on DA, but within the last year I've relised you gotta do what you do in other places, you need to network. There are a lot of toxic people on DA true, and those who don't want to pay more than 2 dollars, but you can't look at this site as a means to make many, but as a place to socialize. There are tons of groups that have really lovely people and I've made more friends and gained more watchers (along with support) because of them! I'm not saying "oh you brought this on yourself" just that you'll have to seek out people and  network if you want to get the postiive aspect of what DA has to offer. Its really not the prices or the talent, people want to know the artist they support and have reason to why they should support you. Things like knowing how interested you are in a species, or that extra detail to your inking process can really make you! It's a long and complex road, and for most of us it takes years to get the support we deserve. Shit I just started getting paid for commissions at a price they deserve this year! 

On a related note, don't talk yourself down! Its crappy but the second you become negitive you loose peoples interest just because most people on this site can't handle negitive emotions, guilt, or conflict. Its also just not a good business practice. Dude I love your art, its great. I mean I'd like to think I have standereds and I watch you so....