I have created a new forum and I have marketed it but I am not sure if I am doing all I can to market it properly. I have set up pages on Facebook and Twitter, Posted links on various other pages like Digg. Posted comments in other forums such as this. I have a limited budget so any suggestion other than ad programs, and article posting which costs money would be much appreciated. Let me know
That is a good start but remember there are MANY ways to build links 100% free. Find blogs you can comment on, write and submit your article to sites such as EzineArticles and GOArticles. You can find forums and other web 2.0 sites that allow you to create a profile, do so and put your link in the appropriate location. Lots of free link directories out there to submit to! Create a free blogger blog and put a couple of posts there linking back to your site. Get creative, just do some searching and you will find a ton of spots to drop links
Link building may be effective, but anyone promoting that as a solution is probably in the business of doing it for you for money. If you have the money, I would invest in some Facebook advertising. Adf.ly has some very reasonable advertising rates too, such as .40 cents per 1,000 hits. I ordered 13,000 hits for $5.20 USD because $5 is the minimum for adf.ly
I think you hit the key point of his message - that no one wants to join a forum for calm. So you have to make it look busy. Ask your friends if you have any, but keep your cool looking themes, and make sure that messages from new members to get a quick response. Personalised mugs