What is the trick to attract people to your site/forum?

Yes people are only interested in big forums.
Big forums offer much more info.

 

I disagree, people are attracted to people, I have joined small forums that appear to be discussing the subject of my question. If they reply fast and make me feel welcome, then I am more likely to stick around.

Think of your forum as your group of friends on the school playground. How do you treat the new kid?

Too often I have joined a forum only to find the active users are hostile, arrogant and quick to flex their superior authority, accusing newbies of spamming etc..

I am loyal to DP because the culture here is very open and honest, and I am free to speak my mind without getting flamed.

 

Well the best alternate would be to register on different similar forums and start posting replies with your signature in it.