Originally Posted by Forward To Death

I thought I already answered this, but basically having more listeners means that more people are influenced by you, whether it's in taste, taking up music as a hobby, or as a profession.

Another thing to keep in mind, and this goes back to the point I made about making more money for your record label, is that the more you produce for your company, and the more popular you become, the more likely it is that your style is going to be emulated. Your label is more likely to invest in up-and-comers who are influenced by your style.