I don*t have much experience here on tf, so I don*t how it was before but I have some suggestions. It might look simple but....
I think the main problem is in formation of forums or topics (am not sure how it is called), but the first 2 are Talkfreelance Marketplace and Talkfreelance Information. I think there is nothing to discuss about that, and I guess most people look only that because this are the first 2. My guess is that there shouldn*t be focus on marketplace and certainly not on tf information. The way I see it main purpose of forum is discussion and at that 2. there is nothing to discuss. So you should bring Talkfreelance Web Site Development and Talkfreelance Design foward and perhaps more discussion would go on.

And as Alex Eyre said some community projects would also be nice, but it would require that tf sponsors them and guarantees safety of ideas.