Get thee to the chamber of commerce

Annual membership in a local chamber of commerce can yield benefits beyond a directory listing and stale coffee at monthly meetings. Local advertising, networking opportunities and business-to-business discounts are some of the benefits of joining.

I recommend: ChamberofCommerce.com is an online database of – you guessed it – chambers of commerce for cities and towns nationwide. Key in your city's name and state to find chamber contact information and membership data.

Consider "Cause Marketing"

Corporate philanthropy is increasingly becoming a standard marketing strategy for larger corporations, a model that can benefit firms of all sizes. Linking a brand or company name to a charitable cause is win-win; each party has something to give and to gain.

I recommend: The Cause Marketing Forum is a hub for connecting businesses with compatible charities.

Go Grass Roots

Jump into the local scene by doing meet-and-greets (while handing out free samples or literature) or sponsoring a parade float or local sports team. Hold presentations at community and senior centers and offer free samples and marketing materials for attendees.

I recommend: To scope out local happenings, visit county, municipal and COC web sites, subscribe to local newspapers and grab copies of free weekly or monthly papers, too. Check the Yahoo! Directory of news and media to find publications in your region.