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Step 1
Keep up to date on your existing accounts, personal and business related. Nothing will derail your chances for acquiring new credit more severely than a record of neglecting your existing credit. If you are a bit behind, work on getting caught up. Do some serious damage control if you have glaring problems that are scaring potential lenders away.
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Step 2
Seek out references from existing lenders. Just because they aren't necessarily willing to extend you additional credit doesn't mean that they can't vouch for your payment history. The threat of taking your business elsewhere might get your current lender or lenders to extend the credit themselves.
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Step 3
Join your local chamber of commerce or small business association. The contacts you make networking with your fellow businessmen could offer you references or opportunities to borrow. Many local banks that might not have been on your radar before could be members.
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Step 4
Apply for credit to as many potential lenders as possible in the shortest amount of time possible. Inquiries made to credit reporting agencies by potential lenders can negatively impact your credit score if they are spread out. But if they are made in a shorter span of time, they most likely will not affect your credit score.
