For the past 12 months or so, everybody from CNN anchormen to people on the streets have been talking about a recession. Even if you haven’t been personally affected by the struggling economy, you likely know someone who has.

In 2008 alone I’ve seen a few people get laid-off from work, lose their homes, etc. Amid all the recession talk I can’t help but wonder: will it eventually affect my home business?

Although some people are positive and feel the economy will bounce back, I’m not as hopeful. Then again, I tend to focus on the negative side of situations (I’m working on this). Still, when I watch news reports, hear the foreclosure rate, and spend more than $50 to fill my tank, it’s hard to see the “up side.”

The Renegade Writer recently offered a few helpful tips for staying positive in a bad economy. Let’s face it, freelancers have to stay upbeat. And if breaking news reports and recession fears kill your mood (and your motivation to work), you’ve got to re-direct your attention. That way, you can focus more energy on ensuring your home businesses’ survival during a recession.

• Step-Up Your Marketing Efforts: If you need three regular clients to survive, look for five. It doesn’t matter how much a client needs or appreciates your services. If the economy starts to impact their bottom line, it’ll also impact yours. They may stop outsourcing or look for cheaper bids.

• Improve Your Performance: You’ve got to stay one step ahead of the competition. One of your clients may need to get rid of a few contract workers. Wouldn’t it be nice to make the cut? Consistently turning in quality work, respecting deadlines, and going the extra mile will help you stand out.

• Don’t Rely on One Source of Income: I can’t stress the importance of having more than one stream of income. Dabbling in multiple home businesses is one of the best ways to ensure survival. Write web copy, sell items on EBAY, market products online, or join a network marketing business. Do whatever it takes to continue making money at home.

• Seek Contracts with Larger Companies: I’ve written web content for individuals and companies. And in my experience, freelance agreements with individuals are almost always short-term. Individuals have smaller budgets and their businesses are less likely to survive a recession. To ensure survival, and hopefully recession-proof your home business, attempt to secure a contract with a large company.

• Offer a Product or Service that’s In-Demand: A surefire way to recession-proof your home business is to offer a “recession-proof service.” In other words, now may not be the best time to start a home business selling unnecessary luxuries.

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