Consider these ten possibilities that can increase store traffic, without cutting down trees.

Capitalize on current hot buttons.
Create a speaker's series on topical themes: gardening tips, how to de-clutter basic photography and summer salads would be good for this time of year. Your local businesses will be delighted to get the additional exposure, and you should craft an opportunity for them to return the favour. Chose a slower time, but do not schedule in the evening. There's no time to shop after the presentation.

What's big in your community? The World Cup? The Stanley Cup? The Shaw Festival? The Calgary Stampede? The One of a Kind Show? The Peach Festival? They all offer opportunities for contests, bonus gifts (FIFA merchandise starts at $24.95), and creative in-store events.

Which charities have the ear of your customers? McDonald's has their McHappy Day; Tim Horton's promote their Smile cookies. These are very successful and smart companies. A donation from each purchase can enrich a good cause and make you a good corporate citizen. Don't be scattered because if you do, you lose all impact.  Mothers and children will allow you to focus on Breast Cancer, computers for kids, soccer teams and a breakfast program. Finding your niche also helps when deciding when to say no.

Include customer testimonials in all your publicity.
This includes in your flyers, on your web site as well as on in- store signage. Remember to ask for the testimonial immediately and acknowledge it with a gift certificate. In these days of bankruptcies, dubious deals and pressured companies; testimonials add that extra element of credibility. If testimonials are difficult to get, it's time to review your operation.

Develop your relationship with the local press.
Provide them with articles that aren't time sensitive. Most are now working with a skeleton staff, so handy fill-in articles will save them time, trouble and wages. The topics can be as generic as: How to test-drive a couch/sofa; What is memory foam?; How can my furniture increase my storage space?; or, What's new in home office?

If your company is seen as a co-operative expert, the press will think of you first when they want to feature the products you carry.

Use Social Media.
You may think that Face Book, Twitter and Linkedin are just for kids, grandparents and self-promoters. Don't. You can tweet about recent trends (a link is easy to send in 140 characters), blog about new products and use Linkedin to do some business-to-business promotion.

If you're uncomfortable about using the media, designate someone in your team to be your guru. You set the content while they assist you in the wording and uploads. And as a bonus, you'll find that your web site will get more hits.

Network within your community.
Use Meetup (www.meetup.com) to find groups that fit your needs. Your local board of trade or chamber of commerce isn't enough today. Every group can be a personal advertisement, and you get to practice your mini-presentation skills.

There are groups for women in business, toastmasters, opera buffs, walkers, BNI, LeTip, and BCX etc. If these acronyms sound foreign, it's time to get out there and discover this movement.

Within these groups are realtors, mortgage brokers, designers, renovation specialists and many more that are working with your potential customers.

Form strategic alliances.
Here you have to careful. An alliance with one company means the exclusion of others. It makes sense where the field is narrow. Is there a dominant home builder in your area? How about a landscaping company, a painter or company that sells home goods you're not selling or planning to sell in the future. Ensure these businesses are of high quality and value (their performance becomes yours). Develop a discount or offering that is exclusive to you, and be prepared to do the same in return. Cross promote within your premises.

Send your customers cards.
The "thank you card" is a standard, but if you get a birth date, you can send a birthday card with a small gift card from Tim Horton's or Chapters. A holiday card - Christmas, Easter, Hanukkah or their equivalents - can also be appropriate. In all cases, ensure it's personally signed. In this age of e-mail, something delivered by Canada Post is considered special.

Use slow moving, high mark-up items as bonus offerings.
Don't hesitate to run promotions such as "Buy any five-piece bedroom set and get any sheet set for 50% off" or "Buy any sofa and get a bonus lamp (maximum value $100)." You won't lose any serious money and you'll keep your accessory stock fresh.

Do the unexpected.
Have the president make a follow-up call to the customer. Pack a small stuffed toy into the children's furniture. Gift the customer with a small plant in the spring. Always open your doors five minutes early. Ensure the cleanliness of your washrooms exceed the high standards set by McDonald's and other prominent retailers. Walk the sales floor every day for at least an hour and greet your customers.

Ensure your sales associates are happy.
Good human relations breed good customer relations.

A regular contributor to Home Goods Online, Alixe MacRae is one of this country's best known merchandisers, having held senior positions at a variety of well-known Canadian retailers including Stoney Creek Furniture, Sears Canada and The Bay. She recently started her own business Concierge Relocation (www.conciergerelocation.com). Her company specializes in move management, especially for those dramatically downsizing seniors and their overwhelmed children.