Try out these local promotional tactics from the Entrepreneur.com article “Five Low-Cost Local Marketing Ideas.” Contributor Jeff Slutsky encourages businesses that rely on local customers to focus on networking and marketing to nearby organizations as a cost-effective way to boost business.

1. Hand shake and business card. Make a point to introduce yourself to at least five people every week. When you encounter people around town, just introduce as the owner or manager of your business and ask if they have ever been there. If not, pull out a business card and write a special freebee on the back. This simple act can generate new business at no cost.
2. Cross promote with other local merchants. “Provide a special certificate for other local businesses to pass out to customers with a special offer from you – compliments of them,” Slutsky writes. This provides free advertising for you and allows the other business to offer their customers a perk.
3. Make local employees your VIPs. Persuade major local employers to distribute a “VIP card” from your business to each of their workers. Try using a special offer that lasts for a set period of time, perhaps 30 to 60 days.
4. Get some bounce-back action. If you get the chance to provide products or services to a group of people that aren’t normally your customers, throw in a special offer that will increase the number of individuals from this group that will become a regular customer.
5. Support fundraisers – creatively. Support a local charity by handing out gift certificates at events, promising a donation from your business to the charity for a purchase of a certain amount (i.e. $5 donation for a $10 purchase).  This way you can benefit the charity and reach new customers rather than seeking donations from your current customers.

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