The best LAID PLANS

Mandy needed to spread the word about her shop – but how?

- Penny Pecorelli

Gazing at the figures in front of her, Mandy felt despondent. She gulped at the cost of advertising in the local paper, and looked aghast at the price of printing leaflets and posters.

She just couldn't afford it, not after sinking all the funds she had into her new boutique. It had always been her dream to have her own dress shop, but it had cost a fortune to rent, decorate and stock the little place on Market Square.

Even the price of coat hangers these days was exorbitant. She just didn't have the spare cash to invest in publicity. But without it, where would she get customers?

It was no use opening a shop if no one knew it was there. A few loyal friends would come, of course, but she needed a lot more people than that.

She had an idea. Maybe the local paper would review her. She could ask for a reporter to come. It might make the news, even if it was on the back page.

She found the number and phoned.

'Sorry,' a woman said. 'We can't spare anyone this week. Besides...' She hesitated politely. 'We don't usually hand out free publicity. You could always place an advertisement.'

Mandy sighed. Back to square one.

It was her friend Jess who finally gave her the solution.