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If you don't know that we're in the worst financial crisis ever known in our lifetimes in the United States then you must be a hermit. Many Americans who own their own businesses are worried about what will happen next. During the next few days there will be much uncertainty concerning the government's plan to assist the banking system in a bail-out. At this point it appears that the United States government will certainly have to assist in clearing up the mess created in our financial system as a result of rampant greed. No one knows for sure what will happen. It is apparent though that a vast majority of Americans are angry and upset about having to spend their tax dollars to aid an industry that is famous for its greed.

It is quite evident that the bailout will not end the problems for small business owners. The significant problems faced by the American economy are not likely to be fixed with any immediacy. All of the major news organizations have stated what is going on and what the future will likely hold, and it is the consensus among them that there will likely be an unemployment level not seen since the Great Depression. That's the positive. The negative is that while things are horrendous now, it will get worse before any signs of improvement are seen. Also, it is going to take a great amount of time before things get back on track.

Small-business owners are unlikely to be able to get the credit that they need in order to expand their business in the near future. So what can you do? No one can tell you what you need to do in your particular business, but I've always been a strong supporter of the low-cost direct marketing style in my businesses. I suggest you start rethinking all the creative ways you can seek out more revenue at a minimum cost. This means not only getting new customers at minimum cost, but equally important, you need to try to sell more services to the customers you already have.

The situation is complex. Many business owners are having problems obtaining the credit needed to expand their companies and so there is likely the possibility of many businesses folding in the next few years. American consumers have already cut spending drastically, and it will be more and more difficult to get new customers, much less maintaining the ones you currently have. You must make it a priority to focus on the most important task of your business. That task is marketing your company. There is nothing as important to the health of a business as marketing it in a difficult economic climate such as the one today.