Which is more important in terms of growth?

[Rachael]

Promoting, either on others videos, social media, in person, using SEO strategies, etc.

Or being a part of the community like having genuine interest in someones channel and making friends and talking to people on social media

 

[Caber]

Both are very important for growing, but I personally think being a member of the community does more for you.

 

[AlexGotBeats]

if you can make 1000s of friends and i mean real friends through networking and connecting with them then sure. otherwise i'd say promoting is more important for the growth of the channel. you might love being in the community and talking to the ppl but it just won't get your channel any further.

 

[Miketastic]

Keep it real to yourself or jump becoming the next popular/clueless web-celeb. Being promoted does has its benefits, it can really get you out there fast but that depends on how consistent are you willing to give yourself out there. Being part of a community may keep you low in traffic but you'll meet honest people along the way, its slow but along you're patient, you'll may reach you goals. Either way, you'll end up being a scrub or a nerd.

 

[Talooka]

I'd say you need both, but that wasn't the question.

Promotion is what will help you grow faster, but only if you have quality content or at least you're putting effort into your videos and it shows.

 

[WeiseGamer]

Like others, both are very important. If I was to pick one I would pick SEO, promotion, social media, etc as it helps you become more discoverable.

 

[Riddikore]

Promoting, either on others videos, social media, in person, using SEO strategies, etc.

Promotion (though I wouldn't promote on other people's videos) is good to get people to look at your videos.

Or being a part of the community like having genuine interest in someones channel and making friends and talking to people on social media

Being part of a community with similar interests will likely result in people who will watch more than one of your videos and stick around longer. People whose channel I genuinely like, I comment on their videos about what I liked (without promoting my own channel). The youtubers who generally appreciate those comments take time to respond. Good for building connections which could help out in the long run.

 

[Jawad Soomro]

Both are important. Community members will give you subs but promoting will give you more subs
But still I consider being a community member

 

[Squeal Cat]

SEO/Youtube rankings.

get that right; sit back and see the views & subs flood in.

 

[Panton]

Have to say both even though promoting will most likely help more