I strongly believe in the power of grass roots marketing to generate business. In fact, one of the retailers we're featuring in the next issue issue of GIFT SHOP utilizes grass roots marketing and actively distributes flyers on the street to bring customers into her store.

Here are five ideas that you should consider implementing to spark sales for the month of April:

1. Attend local networking meetings—Consider joining your local chamber of commerce to network with fellow colleagues in your community.

2. Post messages in local online forums—Our town has a message board where you can comment on what's going on in the community. It's a great place to get involved and subtly promote your store.

3. Hand out and post flyers—Make up an ad or flyer (be sure it looks professional) to post at your local library, gym, grocery store, etc.

4. Launch a 'Refer a Friend Program'—Send out a letter to 200 of your best customers and offer them a gift or store discount for giving you the email address of a friend (be sure to have a good way of getting that address from them). Once you have the emails, do a targeted email blast or a special promotion to encourage them to come and check out your store.

5. Organize a local charity event—By organizing a local charity event (Easter egg hunt, run, golf tournament, etc.) you'll be giving back to your community while raising awareness of your store. A local real estate agency in my town has organized an Easter egg hunt for two years. At the event, they give away four $50 savings bonds (which only costs them $100), they get coverage from our local newspapers and they have a fantastic marketing opportunity to announce over the megaphone that they are sponsoring the event.