Well, if I was starting out, I'd look for opportunities to teach people about the carbon industry. Lots of questions but not many answers, really.
For example this thread:
http://chinertown.com/index.php/topic,625.0.html where MTB2223 has crack in the frame and glue is coming out just a little.
Here's a quote from "SportingGoods" in that thread:
That's good info... Glue for PS foam. I really care less for the crack now then for the fact that they don't allow their frames to set (at room temp or accelerated in a oven). It sounds like an expedited manufacturing process to me. Maybe w/o any consequence, maybe not. For sure I don't like it.
Changing the frame won't fix it if that's their standard process.
Most people reading that thread will have similar questions. Why is there glue coming out? Is it normal? Is it because the company was taking short cuts in the manufacturing process? Is it just the first layer and nothing to be concerned about? People are interested in the manufacturing process but are still pretty clueless about it, I think.
That's just one example of where providing valuable information could help you build trust in your brand. It doesn't happen over night and it's lots of work but building a business is always hard.
Like I said, just one example. You definitely don't have to give stuff away for free to market your business effectively. Also, have a banner graphic made to put in your signature area of your forum profile (don't think there are forum rules against this but maybe ask one of the mods). That way whenever people read your helpful responses they will then look at your brand and logo. Over time, you build trust with the community and hopefully get some sales. Standard online marketing stuff. That said, I realize it must be a challenge to market to people that speak a different language and have a different culture, since effective marketing is all about knowing your customer.
Good luck!