Beat the crunch - twelve ways to promote your business for free

Large-scale marketing budgets are the preserve of the global multi-national corporation.  But you run a small business, arguably facing the toughest economic outlook since the second world war.  Access to equity or debt finance is worsening by the day.  What are you going to do?  Shut up shop and get a job?  I don't think so.  Batten down the hatches and market smart.
Here are 12 ideas for promoting your business without spending anything other than a little time.

1. Set up a meeting with each of your best clients.  Ask them why, exactly, they like your product / service.  Ask their permission to use their comments (for written testimonials).  Ask them directly who in their network might also benefit from your service or product (and don't forget to offer a referral incentive and a discount as a thank you).
2. Approach a popular complementary service provider and offer to promote their business to your customers in exchange for a quid pro quo promotion from them (referral fees and discounts can work well to compensate for any perceived imbalance in value).
3. Identify the 10 most influential journalists in your industry.  Write to them introducing your business.  Comment insightfully on their blogs regularly.  Offer your point of view on their stories and send them your news.  Become a trusted source.
4. Send an email to your personal network of friends and family.  Ask for introductions to potential buyers of your service that might exist in their individual networks.  Remember to clearly describe your target customer and the benefits of what you offer (and consider offering a referral reward).
5. Start a networking group.  Invite 10 local business owners to a weekly breakfast meeting and cross-fertilise business networks.
6. Start a blog.  Ask your customers, suppliers and friends to subscribe and comment.  Share your experience.
7. Offer your service for free to charities. Get a testimonial from one such charitable organisation and call your local newspaper.  Demonstrate how your business contributes to the local community.
8. Run a survey, investigating how you can improve your service.  Ask for permission to follow-up directly with respondents.  Call or email and engage with them to better understand their needs.
9. Register for Twitter and join the conversation with your business community.  Contribute news, advice and experience. Connect with me at http://twitter.com/cruickers
10. Put up a Facebook page and start to build a community and conversation around your offering.
11. Spend some time to create an eye-catching email signature that contains your latest news and offers with a link to your website and / or blog.
12. Set up a profile on Business IT Online and build recommendations and testimonials on your profile page.

There are thousands more great free ideas for building momentum.  Please share your most productive ideas and experiences in the comments.