Hey Guys-

I started this particular site about a year ago and have been cultivating it up until now. It's done well for a talent pool, and I relaunched this week with a new back-end. Throughout, though, I've had a huge problem -- since the beginning, I have yet to find a good source for "buyers" (clients, or project managers). I've been racking my brain for sources that are both realistic and reasonable. And I haven't found anything yet.

I'm in a market where, yes, there are a whole lot other sites out there; but it isn't as crowded as a market could be (think hosting, or social bookmarking sites). So far, I've just worked steadily in the traditional areas -- directory listings, SEO, we've been featured in a few articles, press releases (one of which was written by our guy, in all honesty), direct interaction (one-by-one personal invites, people ... talk about your long days). And not that robotic nonsense, either.

I did AdSense for a while, also, and that went great for a talent pool, but not so much for project creators at that point. And it got expensive. I do plan to do it again after this launch, but for now, I'd like to find more organic sources.

There was a bit of a lull this summer, which I spent touring. But this fall, after the relaunch, I have energy for a new push and I'd like to find a corner that I can approach, but I can't think of ANYTHING.

The problem with a site like this one is this -- people who want what I offer don't all hang out in the same place. And if they do, I can't think of where that would be. And if I did, I can't think of any ways to approach them that wouldn't be considered unsavory.

And no, this is not a solicitation. What I'd like from you guys here is maybe some ideas on how to attract buyers and where they might be found. I'm convinced that getting them in the door is enough, I'm just looking for promotion ideas.

(and yes, there are some blog comments out there, but the more I do it the more I find my fingers subconsciously fingering the characters for "cialis" on my keyboard. I don't mind doing it, but there has to be a "hangout" I'm not thinking of...?)

I advice you to build SEO website with good rank in google and other major search engines that will drive a flood of free targeted traffic daily for long time

Okay, now hold on a sec-

Are you saying that this would be just a website optimized for SERP whose only purpose is to control and drive traffic in the direction of this site?

I think that's a good idea, but how do I go about doing that?

UPDATE 26/10: Fair enough, thanks for the input. Part of my intention with the resurgence of web properties this year for me was to build working sites (income related, time consuming, my "babies"), and traffic sites (free, well maintained, but generally to control the traffic I need to gain income through the other sites). I like what you've suggested here, but I would rather not build up some "adsense" website for my "baby" here. I like your idea, though. But I won't do a concept unless it has some serious content and I would go there myself.

Tried the opposite once before. Come to think of it, I think that 'gambling adsense article' site is out there somewhere, still...somewhere.

If I can find some serious way to *essentially* do what you're saying, I'll ponder the concept, thanks-

Is SEO the most practiced way to improve page ranking?

If you get traffic to a freelancing site from search, you probably are not going to find the best candidates or client. I'd forget the SEO nonsense posted above.

To find freelancers, you should advertise on developer web sites, especially those sites that promote and teach best practices. The folks who are continuously improving themselves are going to make for much better developers.

To find clients, look for business publications, various chambers of commerce and sites more likely to be used by CIOs. You want to target the type of people who would most likely use the service. You may also want to try direct sales. Use networking sites like LinkedIn.com to find clients (and sales people). While direct sales can take some effort, it will most likely have the greatest payoff.