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.
Actually this is correct. Social Media is one of the best and cheapest way to advertise your products or links or whatsoever. Your content must be the problem like @bitcub said. The content of your promotion plays a big factor to attract potential customers to at least visit your site. In advertising and promotion there are a lot of medium you could use such as Social Media, Newsletter, Emails, Banners, and etc. Though, Social media is the most use tool as of today and it has a wider ranger compare to others.
I will agree to your logic of reasoning. Social media no doubt in the present age where everyone is spending most of his time sitting in front of internet is the best option. You can easily promote your products on social media. All you need is a good eye catching add and this will serve the purpose.