Who told you forum and social media is useless? I think your marketing materials is not attractive. Another factor is the niche, if you post bitcoin related ads to food, or celebrity no one will click your ads.
Which is the best way to promote products or refferal links? Social media and forums is total shit,no one interested in this.
I totally agree with you Bitcub

, i think he is not aware about many important factors about internet marketing. Let me try to make it simple.first see that you have enough followers or friend's list. Join only groups that are related to your Niche and Marketing Offers, dont try to spam your offer.
Then see that whether your offer and Marketing materials are attractive or not. Then try to check the niche, if you have followers and friends from health and fitness background, then how could you get your Make money online offer links to be clicked in those groups.
Have you tried Video marketing through Youtube and Dailymotion, if not please go for it Youtube is 2nd biggest search engine after google. Also go for Content marketing through EBOOKS. You can also start sharing your links in CLASSIFIED WEBSITES specially craiglists .