I have a freebie forum - What type of affiliate advertising/banner would you recommend me to use on it? What pays the best and is best for a forum? Any advice?
You can always promote freebie sites via their CPA affiliate programs. You can find these under Market Leverage and NeverBlueAds, which most of their freebie affiliate programs convert well.
I have had success with CoolSavings, Free Health Samples, and Diet Bug. (First two CPA Storm, last one Market Leverage). There are a lot of places that offer something for free that have a free signup. Test and see which are best. PM me with you want to swap links, I have a decent Freebie Site myself.
Try those affiliates which will offer you CPC or CPM. Ad models like free smileys, free toolbars, free downloads etc. will work. All the best!
No, no, no. It's a forum, so you want your visitors to come back. You don't want them to have to install toolbars with mal-ware, spy-ware, whatever. Just stick with the truly free stuff.