This is all so new to me too... I the fork in the road and really dont know which one to dod first... I have my first site and would like help getting it found.
If I was you, I'd take the suggestion on building your own backlinks by yourself ...at least in the beginning 'cuz once your site picks up it's possible you'll start getting organic links back to your site. One way you can look for some places to post comments which allow links is to simply fire up our neighborhood-friendly Google, and then search for other people's lists. For example do a search for "comment backlink list" there are already a whole ARMY of others who have done all the hard work for you, just hop on their wagon and enjoy the ride ...one word of advice if you're gonna do this. Check the sites in the lists you find because some of them might have changed their T.O.S. since it was posted on the list, or it might just not be in existence anymore.
If the blog have high Page Rank and dofollow link, usually lot of people will hunt for it. By getting strong backlink, you must try submit article, submit directories, submit press release submit guest blog post forum posting but personal suggestion is go with submit article would be the best choice.
article marketing has always been beneficial if you use it appropriately. Also, profile linking can bring forth a little help if you have the right sites under your belt. Depending on your niche, a link in your DP profile couldn't hurt.