Step three was to increase my marketing tool arsenal. Previously, I had limited my marketing to FFA (Free For All) pages, online classified ads and an occasional ezine ad. I added banners, links on other sites, a lot of ezine ads (both free and paid), joining and mailing to a lot of optin email groups and some offline advertising. Plus, I increased my use of resources I had been using.

Step four consist of constantly monitoring my traffic and tracking results of my various ads. If one ad resource isn't working, I drop it. Of course, I am always adding new marketing tools to my arsenal.

Step five is best step of all. I watch as my traffic and my bank account grow.

The key to this simple, yet effective strategy, is staying with it day after day. If you have self-discipline to follow this regiment for a month or two, you will never want for traffic to your site.

For example, I recently spoke with a network marketer selling nutritional products. She also works with a health club that pays her a commission for each new member she signs up. Over one third of her income is generated by offering related product to her customers.

2. Ask Them To Help You Find New Customers

Ask your customers for referrals. Reward them for each referral that becomes a customer. Your reward could be a discount on their next order or a special bonus item. Announce your referral program to customers with low cost communication tools like email, postcards or personal phone calls.

OFFER SOME "BIG TICKET" ITEMS

Some of your potential customers are not affected by a poor economy -- or they benefit from it. Others may place a higher value on your products or services when economy is bad. These prospects are willing spend much more with you than your average customer. Don't forfeit this income. Find or create additional products or services similar to those you now offer ...but with a much higher price.

For example, one online marketer recently packaged her latest "how to" book with several eBooks and a "members only" website. She priced this special package about 8 times more than average size order placed by her customers.

Her number of sales declined when economy slowed down. But her sales volume and net profit are still growing. The dollars produced by a small number of these "big ticket" sales more than replaced dollars she lost because of fewer average size sales.

Your business can thrive and grow during an economic slowdown if you make it recession-proof. Use these 3 proven marketing tactics to start recession-proofing your business.