As the title says, I am just in the process of creating my channel (have some basic content at the moment but looking to expand/improve), should i look for a network to help with my initial growth or try and grow alone?
Thanks for any advise
Networks will not help you grow, unless you are a huge channel with millions of subscribers. Most network contracts specifically state that you are expected to do everything you can
to grow your own channel. All a network will do is take a cut of the earnings left you after YouTube takes its own cut; and possibly give perks like royalty-free music, and videomaking contests occasionally. If you are not currently monetizing your videos you will be forced into monetization if you join a network.
Addendum: Is the channel titled Gamer XXXL yours?
If so you are too small to even be of interest to a network. One video and 0 subscribers will have most MCNs telling you to come back when you have more content and subscribers, unless they are extremely money-hungry and will take any applicant no matter the channel size.
Any MCN like that is waving a big red flag with the words "Stay Away: I will Eat You!" on it.