Times are tough these days, especially for the small business owner. With downsizing, outsourcing and customers spending less, this is the time when many owners struggle to make ends meet. However, even though times are tough, there are plenty of ways to bring in customers, and even get more.

You don’t need to downsize in order to make money, but you have to be practical about your business. Take a realistic look at your inventory. Are you buying products that are sitting on your shelves and not selling? Do you have inventory in the back that haven’t seen the light of day for awhile? One way to get rid of the unsold products is to have a sale. If you have internet clientele, a good way to get people to buy is to send out emails telling people about these sales. You could also include special discount coupons. These can include money off their purchases if they bring in the coupon, or use an included code. This can also bring in new customers, by offering incentives for those that come in with their friends or family. Maybe include a money off coupon for any new customers that show up with them.

If you are about to make up new business cards, then a good idea is to have a dollar off coupon printed on the back. Then every time someone comes in with your business card, they can get a dollar off their purchase, enticing them to buy from you. Another good idea that many small business owners use are punch cards. Every time they make a purchase, punch the card. When they have five punches, they get something free. (It doesn’t even have to be something expensive, as long as it is a good deal.)
Resources;
http://boss.blogs.nytimes.com/
http://sbinfocanada.about.com/od/management/a/makemoremoney.htm
http://money.cnn.com/2012/05/09/smallbusiness/secrets-inner-city-success.fortune/index.htm