Hi Ray, I just had my first open house last Saturday.  I didn't advertise but put out signs and baked cookies anyhow.  I was sort of coerced into it, so I piggy backed off another agent who had done TONS of advertising.  Well, I had two people show up, she had ZERO.   My suggestions:

 Don't mess with baking cookies, get a Gold Canyon Candle on a hot pad (those ones that heat the candle without lighting it.)

Bring bottles of water, that is the only thing the people wanted.

Be prepared with all other local listings, I have a contract with one of them (yes already) because I knew the house down the street that was just what they were looking for.  The other is looking to make an offer on the other piece of land I knew about.

I had quite a few experienced agents post their ideas on my "Open House Help?" blog from last Friday, check it out.  

Do a search for Open Houses here on Active Rain  Tons of REALLY great advice!

Good Luck!

Lexa 

Serve beer, have a ball game on for the husband's and let the wife part of the prospective buyer look around the house and smell the candle.

OK - sorry, just kidding. (I just HAD to)