I know quality content matters and building a lot of quality links but does anyone know of a strategy that one person can do?
Yes, Manythings can be done.
Let me share you one among them.
1. Competitor Analysis -
There are many ways to do same but i will talk here about one method.
A1. Competitor Analysis with ALEXA.
Go to Alexa and input your competitor's domain name.
In result you will get classified information that from which website your competitor is getting more traffic.
Congo !! You get road, Now drive your car on same road and your taxi will get passengers #ifyouknowwhatimean :p