Go 'give away' a couple of 'almost free' signs.
Find a couple of businesses that are your 'target audience' that are in a high traffic area. Preferably ones with a 'tired' sign (looks shop worn, old, out of date).
Talk with the owners, of one, possibly two, and offer to generate a new sign for your cost. But there is a caviat, they MUST promise NEVER to divulge how much they paid, but they MUST pass along your business cards. If they agree, generate a KILLER sign for them. One that will draw them business. See if you can attach a 'small' [Sign By ...] sign on the bottom of it.
Do you ABSOLUTE BEST work for them, not that you would not do it for every customer.
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For some potential customers, possibly generate a very small version of the proposed sign. They will want to keep the 'tiny sign', but set a price that is unreasonably high and keep it as an example (for your new show room
) of your work.
Make pictures, or small sample of the work you want to do and display them, or make a sample case. ... If they are jobs you did not like to do or were costly to you, do not show them, but keep a picture or something to remind you of what you DO NOT want to do!
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In my area there are some networking organizations like the Chamber of Commerce, or Kiwanas, or similar, attend some of them regularly.
Keep business cards with you ALL THE TIME.
Do not do 'work cheap' just to get work. If you don't consider your time and efforts worth something, no one else will tell you any different.
Just because your 'CNC did it' does not mean the CNC machine time is free. Neither is your planning or computer setup time. It must all be calculated into the price of the job.
Do make some small 'giveaway's, like small desk toys with your name on it. But make sure they are cheap for you to make but look really good!
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I know you already know much of this, but a reminder never hurts.