Well, I'll start off by saying this:
If you want your site to get bigger, add it to as many search engines as possible. That way people may be able to get the correct reference up from the searches.
Hmm.. what? Is this a sort of SEO thread? I guess it would fit best in that section then. This is more for discussions about -selling- advertising and earning revenue from your site, as opposed to marketing it.
I guess I could make that more clear.
Edit:
Moved it over and made the difference between the forums more clear.
Wait.. that was three words.. Well never mind, just remember that. Content is King - If you have content that people want to see, they'll eventually find your site no matter what, one way or another, be it through Search Engines, Word of Mouth or what not.
Yes, word of mouth is perhaps the most effective way of promotion. If you get people to talk about your site, then you know that you're doing something right.
I'm always amazed to hear when I get an e-mail from someone telling me they heard about ZU from a friend while on the bus to school or something like that. It's very reassuring, as it confirms to me that I've done a good job with the site.
It must be a brilliant feeling. I'd be so happy if I found that out. Some of my members have said they've been told about it at school by another member, which is nice. Just, on about a tenth of the scale of ZU, lol.