• Use word-of-mouth as a source of advertisement. Tell everybody you know about your business. Attend related seminars and lectures and bring business cards to pass along. Just make a comment, pass along a card or flyer, and answer a few questions (if they come). Even if the person you're talking to is not interested in your business, he or she may know somebody who is.
• Are you a good public speaker? Offer yourself as a speaker. The local Rotary Club, Community colleges, non-profit organizations, local civic groups, libraries, the YMCA…almost endless possibilities. And at each event you mingle and hand out your business card.
• One of the best things you can do for yourself on a local level is get magnetic signs for my car. Put your shop name and logo on it. For two of the signs, it only costs about $25.00 if you don't get to fancy. Your advertising everywhere you go; the gas station, grocery store, shopping mall, etc. Sometimes people will come up and talk about your business, that’s when you pull out your business cards and exchange info! It is amazing how much business you can get this way. Another great thing about magnetic signs is that you can remove them and put them on another vehicle. I went on a vacation and advertised on my RV through 5 states!
• Posters or Business cards are another way to advertise. Always make sure that every local bar/restaurant/store, etc.,that will let you has one of your posters or business cards where they allow them. This works especially well if you make an eye catching/viewer friendly graphic.
• Get involved and sign up for local business groups, chamber of commerce, etc.
• Sign up for a “Shop local, Support local” group in your area and it might just bring in lots of business at no cost.
• Participate In Community Fund-Raisers and Charity Events. Offer one of your products as a prize in a local contest or you can make your service available for free to the winner. It's common practice for charities to promote sponsors in their brochures or banners, and you should be allowed to distribute promotional materials (brochures, business cards, etc.) on the day of the event. A variation of this may be to offer your product or service on a charity auction.
• Get Bumper Stickers made or little magnetic stickers that adhere to the back of your business card and leave those places where you would normally leave business cards. Ask your friends to slap on one your bumper stickers on their cars as well.
• Take Advantage of Bulletin Boards at Supermarkets, Laundromats, colleges, even grocery stores. Post a flyer in every one you see, or target specialized ones in areas where you think you may attract the type of client you're looking for. Take into consideration your costs: If you have one-color fliers that cost you cents, be generous with postings. If you have more expensive fliers or if your business could only be afforded by affluent people, post in relevant areas and businesses.
• Advertising Through Customers. Obviously customers are your best bet to get your business name spoken about in a positive light. They are familiar with your work, they most likely love it and will talk about it. So make sure you send a few extra business cards with your orders, or in shopping bags in case they feel so inclined to carry them around or at least be able to recall your shop’s name and location.
• You can also try to send out a little gift to your customers to not only show your appreciation but also to help get your name out there even more. These are called 'premiums' (e.g. pens with your name on them, refrigerator magnets with your business info, etc.).

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