Too many of our Lodges are not known to exist because they sit hidden on a back street, or meet on the second floor of another building such as a church or hardware store, and have nothing that is identifiable to the public as to who or what we are, other than maybe the Square and Compasses, which the public either doesn't recognize or can easily mistake as to belonging to another organization.
Put a sign in front of the Lodge that is large enough that it can be easily read from a distance by a person in a moving car, put more information of the sign than just the name of the Lodge and the S&C, include such words as Freemason, Masonic, and other information, etc. Here are some example.
Put a sign on the building that has meeting dates and times, include the name and phone number of the Master or Secretary, and the Lodges website address.
Publish your meeting dates and times everywhere, include the Lodge address, and name and phone number of the Master or Secretary (remember: to use a FREE Google Voice phone number).
Put a sign up on the outskirts of town, under the city name or wherever your town has designated room for such advertisements. You can buy these signs from a number of Masonic supply companies.
Identify local news media reporters and photographers, i.e. weekly newspapers, magazines, TV/cable channels, who cover events in your area. Introduce yourself to them before you ask for their coverage. Get their mobile phone numbers and email addresses so you can send notices of events, requests for coverage, etc.
Send a notice to every media outlet concerning all events at your lodge that has a public interest element, i.e. awards, 50 year pins, addresses to members by public officials or expert presenters. Notices should be sent not less than a week in advance of the event, and you should follow up with a phone call to encourage a reporter's attendance and coverage. Remember: you are offering an opportunity to report on an item of public interest, and every news outlet needs to cover something.
It is permissible to sell advertising to third parties in your Trestleboard and/or on your website to offset costs, and to purchase advertising about your Lodge from third parties. However, you cannot put your Masonic affiliation on your business advertising.
Raffles by a Lodge are permissible under specific conditions, i.e. (to benefit recognized charitable causes), but not for a Lodge's own use. Refer to the Methodical Digest Sec. 2.12.
Solicitation of the public or other Lodges for funds (Building repair, for a member of your Lodge, etc.) is not permitted. You can only solicit your own members.
Commercializing Freemasonry is not allowed, please refer to the Methodical Digest Sec's and Decisions 1.42, 3.07, 4.01 and the Public Relations Policy at: http://policy.grandlodgeofvirginia.org/