but I really don't know where to start when it comes to promoting my website. I run a gaming blog in a pretty popular niche, but I update with at least 5 or 6 posts a day with original content. I optimize my articles with the keywords for the niche, but beyond writing quality content for my readers, I don't know what else I should be doing. I keep hearing terms like "build backlinks" thrown around, but never with any explanation of how to do it. searches online for more information bring me to spammy sites trying to sell me backlinks, but I'd like to do it on my own without having to pay. I'm not looking to make a fast buck, but keep the blog updated regularly for a few months and see income as I go. Any resources I should read or things I should do? I'm not looking for people to give away their secrets, just be less vague when it comes to SEO.
This is a great thread to start your SEO journey > http://forums.digitalpoint.com/showthread.php?t=413544
backlinks ain't necessary. just get few high pr don't go for blackhat seo thats just short term helping. rest all depends on your content.
I hope you are little bit familiar about SEO tactics.Write small articles about your blog what you are suggesting in it,use as much keywords as you can,And submit them to some blog directories,article directories. You have already done forum commenting,just add link in your signature.You can go for blog commenting also.It is recommended to go for do follow blogs.I have used fast blog finder tool for this.You can go for guest blogging also. All the best!
Continue to create backlinks according to all the regular link building ways EVERYDAY, there's no short short cut.