Direct marketing and advertising persuades your audience to take action by targeting them in an appealing, creative way.

1. Use your car or truck – You can follow Nascar’s lead by covering your vehicle with vinyl wrapping or magnetic signs that advertise your business.
2. Signs, banners and posters – Keep paper materials that promote sales, offers and promotions close at hand, and use them when opportunities present themselves.
3. Business cards – Always carry business cards with you and give them to new acquaintances, close associates and anyone who might need to contact you. Give customers extra cards with the incentive of a free service or discount when they refer someone they know to your business.
4. Promotional products – Printed custom products such as drink ware or key chains can be given as gifts or used at a special event.
5. Newsletters – A newsletter allows you to communicate with prospects on a regular basis.
6. Direct mail – Catalogs, brochures, and other materials can be mailed directly to your prospects.
7. E-mail blasts- Create an eye-catching e-mail newsletter that piques people’s curiosity and encourages them to subscribe.
8. Calendars- Create a promotional calendar featuring your products and other information about your company.
9. Visual spectacle – Place something eye-catching outside your storefront, like balloons or an “wacky inflatable tube man.”
10. Hire a marketing firm – You want to entrust your company’s promotions to professionals outside of your own company.
11. Create a commercial – Produce an ad to air on the radio, TV, cable, or even before a movie at your local theater.
12. Newspaper or magazine ad – Take out ad space in a periodical to appeal to a specialized audience.
13. Create a website - Even brick-and-mortar businesses can benefit from a professional website with a memorable URL.
14. Web banner ads – Buy banner advertising on websites that target your specific market. One popular idea is to include a trivia question in your ad and offer a discount or deal if the user gets it right.
15. Viral video – A funny or impressive Youtube video can rapidly attract a huge audience.
16. Video testimonials –  Ask appreciative customers to tell their story on camera and incorporate these testimonials into your TV or Youtube campaign.
17. Jingle - Compose a catchy tune that’s sure to get stuck in people’s heads. Include it in your radio, TV, or Youtube advertising.
18. Quick response code – Add a QR code (similar to a barcode) to your printed material so that people can go directly to your website, add you as a contact, or take many other actions simply by snapping a photo.
19. Outdoor advertising- Billboards and signs can direct people to your business from a unique location. This could include an ad at your local sports area.
20. Windshield pamphlets –  Place eye-catching fliers or postcards under the windshield wipers of cars in a crowded parking lot.
21. Use your voice mail – Your voice mail message is a great marketing opportunity to offer special discounts or mention new products. You can even hire a professional voiceover artist to record your message.
22. Customer testimonials – Collect these from satisfied customers and put them on your marketing materials.
23. Dancing mascot – Have someone dress up in a silly costume and wave a sign promoting your small business near a high-traffic street.
24. Social networking – Maintain a presence on Facebook, Twitter, or other internet social networks. Only join the ones that you’ll have time to keep up with periodically.
25. Spotlight – Rent a big promotional searchlight for a few nights. These are very dramatic and can attract people from miles away.
26. Bumper stickers – They’re not just for your car. Bumper stickers can be placed in public spaces as a form of guerrilla marketing.
27. T-shirts – Create custom t-shirt with your company logo printed on them. Give them to your staff to wear, and they’ll passively promote your company everywhere they go.
28. Say “thank you” – Follow up each purchase with a phone call, e-mail, or letter thanking the customer for their purchase.