welcome to the party  advertising that has not worked well for me in the 
sign industry, newspaper ads,  phone book.  advertising that has worked well for me, networking/word of mouth, vehicle lettering, t shirts, baseball field 
sign sponsorship in your community, focused product advertising in industry publications (for example advertising reception signage in a publication for dentists or vehicle magnets in a publication for small businesses that work out of their vehicles) versus just putting a ad in a publication listing your name, services, etc...it needs to be focused.