The bid-bot game feels a lot more about getting lucky with the ROI than actually getting genuine promotion. A lot of people have struggled to get anything back from bidding on bots. Those getting onto the main trending page can be a bit more successful. Though this can be very risky and there is chance of heavy losses. Also spending loads of cash on bid-bots sabotages the experience for everyone else.
I believe meeting people through post comments is more like indirect promotion of your channel rather than particular posts. Many had a great deal of success with this before the arrival of the bid-bots. Now many users are just delegating their Steem Power away for higher rewards and less work.
It seems to me that there is no shortcut to organic growth and engagement. Just like in real life.
It is important to work hard and work smart. Things take time. If you have a goal in mind keep pushing.