Hi and welcome.
Firstly, I wouldn't recommend paying to advertise online and that includes the 'bid-for-work' type websites, and the general directories. Only when you're making money should you first research and then budget a small amount each year to 'test' new local advertising and a little for unique online advertising.
Secondly, different things seem to work in different area's of the country, it's pretty much changing as much as pricing is too from what I can tell.
But in general you want business cards, and leaflets, and while no work is coming in keep doing the leaflet drop thing, that tends to take time. Spend a lot of time in the tile shops and befriend the store guys and the manager if you spot him/her. They'll be your bread and butter in the future. Do the same with general contractors when you see them but avoid the guys in the pub saying they are.
The guys on the forum know I bang on about websites, and so does Dave now as his works very well. Loads are getting them (eventually!) and they're using all sorts of ways to go about it. But not all are working, so make sure you get a website that can be optimised, and avoid a free one. A website should cost around 300 - 500 quid and already be optimised (so that it ranks well in the search engines!) and you want to update it yourself for free (most work a little like this forum works so if you can type on here you can type on your website too). So I'd have a good website. (see
David Howe Tiling | Tiler in Durham | North East Tilers which is Dave's website - but checkout the other lads websites too, they usually have them in their forum signature).
Be patient and polite during all of your first phone calls, and don't get too 'needy' or desperate-looking. Your excitement and passion can often come across a bit too much for the first few customers. But you certainly don't want to not ask questions, ask as many as you can think of and then keep mentioning their replies when talking about the job.
I wouldn't pay for touchlocal personally.
All the best and good luck!