Here are five rather easy back link strategies. Assumed you have the time or resources to get quality articles written, hub pages content produced, forum profile signatures created and manual directory submissions. How would you sort following back link techniques by SEO benefits! I know diversification would be best, but I would like to know your preferences. Paid Links Forum Signature Article Directory Web Directory Submission Hub Pages creation (Squidoo or Hubpages)
Article Marketing is a classic technique for link building, i love targetted niche forum link building too.
In-content link building from blog post or websites is the most high value in my opinion and it is not even in your list of suggestion. Directories have huge number of outgoing link and it may give low value towards our links. This applied for article directories and other link directories. Paid links usually placed on sidebar or footer. When it comes to location, I believe content section is the most valuable compared to any other location in a website or blog.
I think conduit.com method with software submission is the best http://globolstaff.com/using-conduit-com-toolbar-for-link-building-with-software-submission.html
Quality rather than quantity, diversity and good neighborhood link building is the best strategy that worked for me. Always keep it natural!!
In my niche a site that submitted about 200 articles rank very high for a competitive word. They don't have other types of links. Their technique is a little spamy, but it works, at least short term.
I go for article submission and forum signatures. One for slow link building and one for a faster link building technique