put the litter box outside as it has the cats scent in it, also food/water preferably at door the cat escaped from if known.
also your worn clothes or bedding with your scent on it. they usually don't roam more than a few blocks.
sometimes they are easier to spot in the dark when a flash light hits their eyes.
Hi. Looking for a missing indoor tortoiseshell cat, about 18 months old, approximately 7#, in Maplewood, Colgate Road area. Appears she might have gotten out of the house last night somehow. -Thom Healey 973-632-4783