I love the craft and want to focus more on it than the numbers, because shtty art and storytelling skills ain't gonna get me anywhere in the numbers game anyway.
Would I like to have big numbers? Oh hell yes, then I could rub it in the faces of those who doubted and verbally abused me. (That was a joke) But at the end of the day, I just want to be proud of my work. I'd rather have a few loyal subs and astounding quality work than have a sea of subs and something I'm ashamed to admit I drew.
I think the more effort I put into improving myself, the better my odds are of people taking interest in it, anyway. I will market myself more eventually, but only after I feel I have something marketable. And right now, I'm not at a skill level I'm happy with.
But to leave off, there's nothing wrong with marketing so long as you're not spamming or harassing people with it.