An economic downturn can prove fatal for many businesses. However, it can also present unheard of bargains when it comes to advertising. In general, businesses cut back on advertising. When you know your prospects are cutting back on their spending, you need to get creative. When times are tough, the tough get going. Now is the time to capture the market and brand your company as the only business in your industry.

How can you entice your prospect to call, order or shop in your store? It takes some creative campaigns to get your prospects interested.

Here are 4 ideas...

Do you sell products that people can use at home for enjoyment or entertainment? Consider this headline:

NOW YOUR NIGHTS AT HOME CAN BE JUST AS ENJOYABLE, IF NOT MORE ENJOYABLE THAN GOING OUT. NOT TO MENTION ALL THE MONEY YOU'LL SAVE.

Do you sell home improvement services? Consider this headline:

SPENDING TIME AT HOME HAS NEVER BEEN MORE ENJOYABLE

Do you sell services to businesses? Consider a promotion such as this:

NOW MORE THAN EVER YOU NEED TO FOCUS ON RUNNING YOUR BUSINESS. OUTSOURCING NOT ONLY SAVES YOU TIME, IT SAVES YOU MONEY.

With the price of gas, people are very focused on their gas budgets which means they will cut back on other purchases. Why not offer a $50 gas card with purchase to get the sale? Here's how a vacation rental company might entice vacationers.

VACATION AT THE SHORE - AND WE'LL PAY FOR YOUR GAS TO GET HERE

There are many ways you can use tough economic times to increase sales. What can you package or bundle together? Can you find a new purpose for an old product or service?

Your ultimate goal is to present your product or service so that it matches what's on your prospects mind. People are always thinking and when times are tough, more often than not they are thinking about ways to save money. It's your job to be their solution and to be in front of them.

A recession is one of the most important times to advertise. Your competitors are likely removing themselves from the minds of your prospects by cutting back on their advertising. Now is the ideal time to capture more of your market. Not to mention you can do it more affordably than during robust economic periods. Remember that most mediums are offering great deals that can sometimes double your reach. It's true, times are tough, but you're ready to get going.