[xdude]

The problem is what providers can expect from sponsor forums like these. You can not expect paid customers from it. Well you might get couple of customers for really juicy offers but not a lot. I have bought servers from several sponsors we had at freevps.us and Here I still use a paid vps bought from Host4fun. But majority need a free server because they can't pay.

So what providers can get in-return for their investment is Brand Influence. Those small companies can improve their brand presence in Google because of all the links they get as well as mentions happening in forum posts. This would improve their search and online presence so it helps their business long term.

This is why those medium size hosting providers only interest to advertise in mega forums like BlackHatWorld , WarriorForum etc. These places have potential buyers who are willing to go for their specialize services. They spend couple hundred usd monthly for advertising in forums like those.

I think the best benefit can be offered for sponsors these days is social media influence. offer them to run their promise monthly in forums social profiles. members can Like and Share spreading the word. But this needs strong social media profiles.