The best, and least expensive way to prospect is to get out and about in your community. Anything that includes the public is a great place to be, a county or state fair, a charity event, a sports event or get-together at the local schools. You need to be seen and heard right at home before you start looking for ways to prospect outside of your own backyard. 

Another suggestion is a local direct-mail campaign with postcards. Have a card designed that introduces you with all of your contact information. It may take a bit more time, but research has shown that mail that is hand-addressed is more likely to get read than pre-addressed address labels. 

You could also take some time to go to various businesses, introduce yourself and ask if you can leave some business cards for their convenience. Good places for this are local colleges, industry and places where they have turn-over and people moving in and out who will be seeking housing. I always bake some cookies when I hit the streets as nothing leaves a more lasting impression than a bit of my kitchen in the tummies and minds of those I meet. I place a baker's dozen on an inexpensive disposable plastic tray, wrap them with plastic wrap and insert a little hand-written note on top. For real estate, you might say something like "Want to enjoy these cookies in a new house?" or something to that effect - including your name and contact information.

I have read surveys that suggest that websites are good places to prospect for the professional crowd such as lawyers, doctors and the like. The problem with it is, it isn't a fast fix. You have to have a website designed and maintained and you have to have it submitted where necessary so that people see it. This takes marketing, advertising, money and good ole' networking so that your site name and address get out to your target audience. It is a good idea, but not in the short-term.

Hope these ideas help! Best to you.

About the PowerHomeBiz.com Guide: 

Tammy Harrison is a successful home-based working mom for over five years. She holds a degree from Mizzou in Consumer Economics. Her business focuses on Marketing and Creativity for Small Businesses as well as numerous other small businesses. For more information, you may contact her at http://www.jdharrison.com  

The opinions expressed in this column are those of the author, not of PowerHomeBiz.com. Users should not treat the Guide's response as legal, accounting, or professional advice as all answers are intended to be general in nature. Such advice can only be properly given by qualified professionals who are fully aware of a user's specific geographical areas or circumstances, such as an attorney or accountant.