Unless you've been living under a rock for the past few months (read: holed up in your parents' basement working on your tech start-up), by now you've probably heard about the credit crunch. And if you're an entrepreneur with a business plan that's ready to fund, you've probably started sweating whether this is going to impact your shot at getting a bank loan. While there's no hard numbers yet on how the credit markets are impacting entrepreneurs, the one thing that is clear is that banks are tightening their belts. What that means for the hopeful entrepreneur or small business owner who shows up at his local bank with a business plan and a pitch is that it's not as easy as it once was to walk away with a loan.

The good news is that you're not without options—and there are things you can do to make yourself more appealing to lenders. The New York Times plied a range of experts today from the National Small Businesses Association to PricewaterhouseCoopers for their read on how entrepreneurs and small business owners can boost their chances at getting the capital they need and how to navigate the now-murky waters of bank financing. We read it so you don't have to. Here's the quick and dirty:

-If you're a strong enterprise, with a strong balance sheet, you will have options in terms of financing if you need it. Don't panic.

-Take on more of a financial stake in your own company. Banks have always looked for deals where an owner has plenty of equity. In this market, the more the better.

-Naturally, this means that you don't want to take equity of out your business right now—no matter how tempting. This is particularly true if you're taking the cash out to fund your personal accounts. Bankers don't want to support your lifestyle with a small biz loan.

-Modify and strengthen your business plan. Make sure it's updated with three scenarios—"the good, the bad, and the ugly," and be prepared for any of the three to shake down.

-If your business plan hinges on expansion, maybe consider revisiting that goal.

-While you're exploring financing options, try to opt for credit lines over credit cards. That's because the terms and interest rates on cards can change on those at a moment's notice.

-If your business is involved in a shaky area (think mortgages or auto sales), reassess taking on more debt. That means try to find ways to get by with less until things look up.