Free ways to build backlinks. Tips and suggstions.

Perhaps it is presumptive of me, by all definitions still a newbie to hub pages, to be offering an answer to the question of how to cultivate a large network of back links to your hubs when I myself am still in the process of doing so. But I'm of the opinion that the best way to learn is to jump in. If the wiser and more seasoned correct the wrong things I suggest here, excellent! I will have succeeded in eliciting a jewel of truth that might not have come out otherwise. With that thought in mind, here are a few of the ideas I will contribute on this topic:

1. Intra-HubPages Backlinks Commenting on other people's hubs and contributing meaningful conversation in the forums (all sincere, not thinly veiled self promotion). Wouldn't you agree that you're more likely to give to someone who's giving to you?
2. External Sources Within Your Control This is how I refer to comment areas on other people's blogs (see item 1 above), your own websites and/or blog(s), and other websites where you can open an account (like mySpace, Facebook, digg, etc...). Again, linking to more than just your own sites/hubs might not make a difference to your page rank or any other technical factors, but giving to others, as stated in item 1, can come back to you by others doing the same for you.
3. External Sources Outside Your Control How do I get links to my site/hub on sites run by other webmasters, you ask? It is certainly true that there is no way (that I know of, at least) that you can without fail convince someone else to place a link for you on their site. One thing you do have the power to do every time is ask! Sure, the likelihood of a request from you leading to a link to your site on the front page of the CNN, Apple, or Slashdot website is slim to none, but here for instance is a successful guy with a strong website who is offering to place a link to your site out there if you do the same for him. Granted, his niche is computer programming, and you should probably only ask if he would kindly reciprocate with you if your topic is at least in the same ballpark as his intellectual domain (a link to your article on beekeeping would be a little out of place on his site) but this just goes to show that there are people out there with sites who are nice and willing to reciprocate in developing back links. These are the kind of people to find and sincerely introduce yourself to. (Note: The same guy has this site which has great information on White Hat Search Engine Optimization.)

There are probably many more tips worthy of mentioning for developing a strong network of back links to your sites/hubs, but I hope these three tips offer a good start.

Good Luck!