New site project

how do I go about getting the most out of it for my main site

[heini]

Okay - Iīm going to set up a new site. This site may turn out being a success in itself. If not it should at least support rankings for my main site.
It will be a kind of showcase site for my main site and my competitors sites. They will be invited to this new project. All participating sites will be treated equally. All sites will get space to represent themselfes. Site will be updated frequently.
This projct should rather easily get good listings in directories. All participating sites will link to the project. Links and content will be rather tightly themed. I feel it should be easy to get good exposure on SEs.

Well, all is clear, but: how do I go about getting the most out of it concerning support for my main site?
In other words: This new site should improve linkpop for all participants, how can my site get an extra boost?

I was toying with the idea of staging this thing as a subdomain. But I donīt think my competitors would like that. And I think it would be better to have the links from a different site, not a subdomain.

So basically the question is: How do I get more out of it than my competitors?

Another thing : Is it wise to invite the big boys or will they eat all the cake?

Any input will be appreciated!

[startup]

Make the big boys work for you.

Let's assume that you are a ski instructor. Don't list any other instructors but, target "themed" sites. Go after:
Ski resorts
Manufactures
Clothing
Supplies
Hotels

Big name inbound links should push the site to the top.

[heini]

Thanks startup
Guess you are right: the pros of having big boys on board outweigh the cons.

>Don't list any other instructors

Thatīs what this site will be about. Other "ski instructors" will not only be listed but get space to present a sample of their services. Basically I decided to make up my own content rich vortal to strenghten the position of my main site. I do hope that this "vortal" will be a success in itself, but want my main site to be pushed more than the other "ski instructor`s " sites.

I thought of doing something like this:
"mymaindomain.com proudly presents the best of my-theme on the web - my-theme updated regularly - donīt look any further for my-theme / brought to you by mymaindomain.com"