Link Development for a niche specific directory/search engine

[SEOPTI]

We are ready to launch some niche specific searchable directories (sports, cars ...) what's a good way to promote them in order to get backlinks?

I can't seem to find niche specific communities to contact webmasters. Are there any other ways?

[rogerd]

Using search engines to identify both directory participants and link partners is one obvious way. If there are existing directories or categories in the major directories like Yahoo and DMOZ you'll find a group of candidates there, too.

If you are looking for mass-broadcast opportunities like forum promotion, you may find it rougher going - there are webmaster forums, and niche forums, but topical niche webmaster forums may be hard to find or nonexistent. You might try contacting a few webmasters in your target areas and ask where they hang out. (They'll probably say WebmasterWorld!;))