Chances are they offer a chat room package for a nominal fee. Many Web hosts provide message applications. There are also applications written in ASP, Java and ColdFusion which are completely customizable by the licensed owner. Create a few key topic areas, recruit a friend or two to help monitor the activity and clean out the dead conversations and presto, you have an instant traffic source as people read and write messages day after day. As long as your user policies are clear and concise and enforced, classifieds are a valuable user service that can provide you with a measurable return on your investment.
Imagination is the prime requisite for online contests.
Keep up the Good Work Don't expect your community to be self-sustaining, however. Chat rooms need moderators, or at least personalities who are interesting enough to keep conversations going. I mean discussions. Classified sections have to be maintained and cleared of bogus ads. Polls need to ask relevant questions and provide results on line for everyone to see.