One of my favorite online marketing vehicles is to
participate in targeted newsgroups and forums on my subject.
Once you have a good web site with high quality content in place,
you start visiting the newsgroups and forums regularly and then
after you know your way around it, you should start answering
questions and becoming an all around helpful individual.
You will be able to build up relationships in these newsgroups
and forums, and build up your traffic at the same time without
having to spend a penny.
Do NOT post direct ads in newsgroups or forums or you will be
banned. You should focus on giving good advice and make
reference to your website. Get involved in the conversations,
post honest and useful opinions, be consistent, and become a
trusted information source, or at least an online friend to other
members. Interestingly enough, people are so curious that they
want to know who you are as long as you give something helpful.