Etsy, not so easy

With the addition of the new ad sense and earlier relevancy setting. It seems it's been much harder on shop owners to sell their products. I've been looking through the site forums and the general oppion is to advertise off site. Which I agree, this makes all the more sense. Why advertise where you're already selling anyway. Who's going to see it, well other etsy shop owners more likely. Which is fine but it would be nice to be able to sell to a wider range of customers. As in those who don't sell on etsy and are just looking to shop local and handmade.
I've had some ideas for solutions but haven't put most of them into practice yet. So I haven't much of an idea if they'll be effective not. So here goes...

• Advertise on google - yes google. Seems expensive yes, but if you already have a blog account with them it's likely they'll send you an offer in the mail every so often. You can get $100 of free advertiseing. Which will go down twenty dollars I after a deadline I believe is a month latter if I recall correctly.
• Facebook seems like a good enough place to grab the attention of like minded people. I've found several shops and fan pages by clicking on their ads. Though mind you they have the same ad system that etsy hosts now.
• Word of mouth. Ever the old school way of getting people in the know. Friends may tell friends who love what you're selling.
• Place a local ad, might be surprised and lucky if your sales happen to increase. Plus who can resist supporting a locally own shop. Whether it be online or brick and morter. People know you need to buisniness.
• Local farmers markerts, Flea Markets and local art fairs. -All three requires prep work. But being that they are local you will have a higher chance of getting return customers. And making a few friends in the process. 
• Craft Shows - Probably requires the most work of them all. One of the reasons why I haven't tried but if you can find one that has an affordable fee and you have the inventory. Heck why not!

Hope I've given some new ideas or at least left the light on for ideas to grow. ;) Best of luck  :)