What do you mean by "referral swapping"?
Thus says the guy that has never had a referral:
Try your Facebook page to post your link. Everyone on the planet has a Facebook page, right?
Buying referrals is not a good thing. Usually those just have someone sign up under different names and information and you end up being banned from ClixSense. Not sure if the "swapping" you mentioned falls in that area, but beware.
Personally, I believe forums are about dead and obsolete.
Blogging is viable if you have a lot of traffic and such as that.
You might try traffic exchanges. Legacy Hits, TERacingleague and the like.
Pester your family and friends. That's what they are for, right (Just kidding).
Since you have read the Q&A on referrals, you should have all the answers already. (Just kidding again).
Best of luck to you,
Frank