Ok Here is my two cents and this maybe coping some of what other have told you already.
I started NerdZ Host Inc, One Month Ago.
So far I have lost more money then gained and in fact I have started offering free hosting just because of the fact that I need to build up reputation.
See I think once your build up your reputation and show you are reliable you then have two legs to stand on in this market.
Next is Advertisement
I would say find every single hosting forum possible, Follow the rules and share good information and Knowledge.
Once you have made the required amount of post, Place an ad once a week and I would even go on to tell you that each week you should change the promotion. People/Clients are always looking for new deals they want the more space for the less money.
So you need to change up your promotions have three different promotions and do one a week. After you have done your last one being the third start with number one again and continue to rotate them until you feel that have paid off.
One thing I cannot express enough to you would be patients, patients, and more patients.
Banner Ads,
Hire someone to make you professional banners, then come up with a budget and us that amount of money to place your banners on the forum you feel are the best fit for you and your business.
Find You Niche,
Be unique, find out want other companies are not offering and start offering it. And live up to what you offer. If your company is about Great Technical Support then make sure you have someone that can handle any issue that may or could come up.
If its sales then have a killer sales team.
If its what you offer, Space, Bandwidth, Add-on's, Extra software scripts, Design a One Page site for them, Web Site Migration, you will need to follow through with it. You will need to be on top of your game when it come to what you offer.
This is all I can really think of for now.
I am hoping this helps you as It has helped me and I plan on being unique even though I offer the same thing when it comes to hosting its the extras I will offer that will make the Deal for any client.
Thank you,