Google made their Penguin and Panda algorithm updates in 2012 and old methods that used to work really well do not work anymore.As far as I understand, link building is one of them. Now it is all about "link earning".You need to create content that is so good that people want to share it on the web and link back to it from their own sites. Watch this video from MOZ.com to learn more about link earning. http://moz.com/blog/the-death-of-link-building-and-the-rebirth-of-link-earning-whiteboard-friday
In my opinion write good content and share your websites via facebook,twitter, and google plus social activities. Your website will have instant authority in the Google's algorithm
I generally find the sites ranking for the keywords I'm trying to rank for and do the same sort of favor. After a while, just ask for a thank you link back. You'll get high PR targeted authority links and end up dominating any niche you entered.
Work on your content As they put it "Content is the King",you need to ensure that your contents works for you.Have your content improved. Good luck!
I agree with the person who says to buy them. That may not be the BEST way, but it's the fastest way. What's the best way? Well I'm not sure yet.. If you find out, let me know.
Content is king and if you content is superior... then backlinks come from alone. However, adding a few backlinks on the own way does help if you do it right and if you dont get junk backlinks.
I've heard that .gov sites work pretty well so if you can't join one, get someone you know who is a member of a uni or some other .gov forum and get them to post your link