Offer free "touch ups." Gruenberg says some contractors can do unrequested touch-up work for previous customers. Striping contractors, for example, can touch up worn areas of paint such as handicap stencils. Take a photo and send it with a note to the customer, letting her know you're sprucing up her parking lot as part of your service.

Target homeowners. Musto says that U.S. Pavement Inc., targets residential customers through Valpak and Super Coup direct-mail pieces. "They're pretty inexpensive but they reach a lot of people," Musto says. "You have to do it multiple times, though. You can't do it just once and expect results."

Do something. Humphrey says that whatever you do for your business it's important to do something. He says a poor economy is not the time to stop marketing, and it's not the time to stop providing outstanding customer service. "In fact contractors should think about doubling up on their customer service efforts with current customers. If you're not giving out small gifts at the end of a job, consider that, or something like that, especially for customers with repeat potential."

To learn about the 3 websites every pavement maintenance contractor needs to know read "Tips for Getting Work in Today's Economy" on the Pavement website.