How do I promote a newly created social network for seriously ill medical patients, without "spamming" anyone?

[Truth E.]

The network is free to participate in. I am not making any money from it, at this very early point, and I am seriously considering doing it *without* money, that is, in the spirit of giving something back to the community. To that end, I won't ever charge for membership, and I also won't ever allow discrimination. I'm running it now on a free website, and of course that site puts a handful of google text ads on the homepage in one column, but that's all. I want to create a safe space where no one will try to "sell" anything to the patient, and where seriously ill medical patients can hook up with each other and strengthen community. Oh, and did I mention? I need free and/or *very* low cost ways to promote membership!

[dm]

One of the best ways would be to partner with charitable organizations, and ask them to include either a banner, or a text add with the backlink to your site.

I would also suggest writing a press-release (it is easier than you may think), and post it on free PR sites.

I hope it helps.
DM

[littlelins1]

A good place to start is with your local media. Write a press release and send it to many newspapers, radio stations and television stations. Then follow up with a telephone call a few days later to the news editor. This should get you some free press. Once you get the word out there then it will start spreading. You could also contact the government run health service agencies and mental treatment hospitals to let them know you exist. They may refer some of their patients to you.

[Vitaliteas]

Write a couple articles about the service, tell stories of how it is helping people or creating a community. Then post your article both on your site, and on Digg.com. The more votes it gets on Digg, the more people will see it.
http://www.digg.com

You could also advertise on StumbleUpon - it costs $0.05/click, and you can target your campaign to show to people who are similar to your targeted social group.
http://www.stumbleupon.com/ads/

I'd really think hard about keeping the Google ads on your site. Most people's perception is that you're making money from them (which your web hosting company is doing), and it sounds like that conflicts with the purpose of your site.

The ads also cheapen the look and feel of the site if not done well.

[Yahya]

making your free blog at blogger.com or wordpress.com..its easy and so funny