One of the most important things I've learned in the missing pet recovery field is something that perhaps applies to every day life - well if we remember to apply it anyway.  The phrase "Keep it simple!"  There is no need to recreate the wheel, no need to take a situation and complicate it and no need to overdo it with grandiose gestures.  At least not in my opinion anyway.
This also very much carries over into locating a missing pet.  One of the best tools is a large flourescent poster - and keep it simple!  These are much more effective in gaining public awareness than hanging the 8.5x11" fliers and I promise you the difference between posters and fliers can very much be the difference in recovering your pet.  Fliers are for handing out - posters are for.....postering!!
So should you lose your pet start making these highly effective tools as soon as possible and remember to poster far and poster well.