Use Stealth Word-of-Mouth

• Most people have developed a certain mental resistance to standard methods of advertising because they are exposed to them so much. Billboards, magazine ads and television spots just wash over them. If they are spoken to by a real human being, though, people will listen. Hire people to walk around in the neighborhood near your new business and ask people if they've seen it. This works particularly well for restaurants and food sellers. Strangers will often take the advice of a stranger to try a new place to eat, particularly if it's inexpensive, because they don't want to miss out on a good thing.
  
  

Set Up Nighttime Projectors

• You can buy high-powered projectors that will cast images on the sides of buildings. If you choose your location well, you can make a major nighttime impression on drivers and pedestrians who pass by. Create an eye-catching promotion for your business, and find a building that is ideally distanced from street lights and other sources of light, so your projection will stand out more. Be sure to get permission from the building owner. Although you won't be damaging or even touching the building, some people might not appreciate your creativity if you don't get permission.
  
  

Target University Students

• Universities are ready-made markets made up of huge concentrations of young people, looking for entertainment and fun events. If you are marketing a product or service that is appropriate for this age group, make the most of any universities that are near you. Hire some students to walk around with sandwich boards advertising your business. Get the word out on social networking sites where students congregate. Put posters up around campus. Put an ad on the campus radio station, or in the student newspaper. Hand out leaflets at student events.
  
  

Pay Drivers to Use Their Cars

• Make magnetic signs and pay drivers a small fee to put them on their cars, making them into mobile promotional devices for your business. This can be particularly effective if your business has something to do with cars --- for example, a car wash or a garage. Be sure to include your phone number, website and a brief description of what you do on the signs. If you don't want to pay to have magnetic signs made, a cheaper alternative is to make paper signs that people can put inside their car windows.