The best start to marketing is having a good to great show. This starts with good character development and great puppets.(ie Axtell) I had to get through the copying the vent that was on T.V. last night. It was similar to trying to do the routine the Magician did last night on T.V. or the club....
Being aware of reporters and photographers at the events you are working. Think about what goes into your local newspaper. When I did a Zuchinni Festival as a mime, I painted myself green. This was way before the Men in Blue. I think around 1980. The paper in Reno took and printed a picture with me poised with my zuchinni zappers. Don't just think major newspapers. Most towns publish local papers or specialized, like the Jewish Chronicle. During the harvest festival, I tied in my "hard" puppet with tree stories. I have since gone to softer puppets.
My 14 year old cousin started me on my Nearly Normal Web-Site.(
http://expage.com/nearlynormalmagic)
expage.com is a free site. You can set up a site fairly quickly. Potential buyers can go to their computers and get a quick idea about my show. But going back to my first paragraph, you must have a show that matches the quality of your marketing, in order to get repeat gigs.