I find the forums a good way to start. You might find it a good idea to start a role-play on the forums and then eventually tell the role-players in your RP to move in-game. That way you will have bonded a little over the days or even weeks of role-playing together or just chatting.
You can also do small discussions and take that to PMs with certain people, and as before build a bond with those people and eventually take it in-game.
I have to admit, its no fun to be in-game with barely anyone to talk to or none at all, but we all have been in that place at least once. We gotta start somewhere xD