Since you have been in the business for quite long, I'm sure you have already setup your own customer base and commanding loyalty for some of them. I just wonder why not use your current customer and ask them for a favor to help you out on the marketing part. Like giving recognition for your service, referrals, testimonials.....I'm sure that will get the attention of new customers.
It's never a good idea to rely on one form of link development. Website link profiles need to be as diverse as possible and need to mirror what you would see on a 'natural' site, having all of your links from forums looks pretty un-natural to me, so it's not really any surprise that they have been devalued. Having on quality link from a trusted site far outweighs having hundreds from free directories and forum signitures. You need to look at ways of increasing your quality links rather than relying on links that are easy to get.
Its good to do a variety of things to increase your websites links and PR. Relying on one thing can work well for some, but often it will come back to bite you! Work on mixing up both your links that you build, but also the link text and sources for those links.
Hi, Try everything, seo work, article writing, & maybe even PPC advertising? submit to directories, & backlinks etc.it will all work & bring you hits.