i don't think that you're doing anything wrong. The vast majority of game developers (and authors, musicians, artists etc) are in the exact same situation and I'm actually quite jealous of you having this experience at a young age. Many much older people are still trying to grapple with these things and although many people offer easy answers, it's all very chaotic.
The thing I'd say is to branch out in whatever ways you're comfortable doing so. Community building is a skill set of its own and it's unfortunately very distinct from the skill set of game development. Actions that could take five minutes your end might be enough to reach people and your post is already a good start.
For my part, I first went out trying to make the numbers go up but I've realized that I'm far more satisfied by meeting individual people who I get along with and can have great conversations with. I think in the long run, that's better motivation to me.
I'm rambling, but I think it's an important thing: find a mindset of networking that you can do that feels natural and the numbers will take care of themselves (or will stop mattering)