How do I market myself?
Discussion
I'm in full time employment IT support / bit of network maintenance etc.
What I'd like to do is branch out myself at weekends and evenings, fixing PC's and out of hours business support. Problem seems to be that most people now know a 'computer boy' and so don't feel the need to pay for someone who will do the job to the best of his ability, and won't fob people off with work that doesn't need doing.
I'm based near Liverpool, and know a lot about Windows, a bit about Server 2003 and a fair bit of Linux from meddling in Ubuntu and Gentoo (shudder). What is the best way to get my name out there, doing a bit of work on the side. I would of course let the taxman know, oh yes.
I've got some business cards arriving soon courtesy of Coyft (top service again btw), but what else?
What I'd like to do is branch out myself at weekends and evenings, fixing PC's and out of hours business support. Problem seems to be that most people now know a 'computer boy' and so don't feel the need to pay for someone who will do the job to the best of his ability, and won't fob people off with work that doesn't need doing.
I'm based near Liverpool, and know a lot about Windows, a bit about Server 2003 and a fair bit of Linux from meddling in Ubuntu and Gentoo (shudder). What is the best way to get my name out there, doing a bit of work on the side. I would of course let the taxman know, oh yes.
I've got some business cards arriving soon courtesy of Coyft (top service again btw), but what else?
Do you get one of those free magazines advertising local businesses? We get a glossy mag each month which is pretty cheap to advertise in and goes to every home in the area which could be a good place to start for you. The one I get is called the Ackworth Review but I know there are similar ones for all the local towns and villages so may be a national thing.
Failing that, a card in the local newsagent/corner shop/whatever window could get you some business.
I know people who happily pay for a PC doctor type service so giving good, reliable personal service coud go well.
Failing that, a card in the local newsagent/corner shop/whatever window could get you some business.
I know people who happily pay for a PC doctor type service so giving good, reliable personal service coud go well.
Yeah, its these 'wipe it and reinstall XP straight away' guys with no actual care that do my nut in. If someone invites you into your home to help with a problem, you could at least do it properly. I hate to see people get ripped off. If I provide a good service and make it a condition of the work that you mention me to 3 other people, I suppose that could help.
Its a good idea, however I would inform your employer that this is your intention.
Some employers may see what you are doing as a conflict of interest, though some wouldnt be fussed.
Technically you are creating competition, and although this may not be your intention, it may be possible to syphon 'private' work your way...
Some employers may see what you are doing as a conflict of interest, though some wouldnt be fussed.
Technically you are creating competition, and although this may not be your intention, it may be possible to syphon 'private' work your way...
coyft said:
We have a range of postcards that you could use to market yourself. IT specific postcards could be put through peoples doors, shop windows, inserted into newspapers etc.,
I think you would do better if you advertised a particular service at a fixed price rather than offering general IT services. A few ideas if the top of my head:-
Anti Virus check - We will check your anti virus is up to date and working properly. Installation of virus software service.
Parental control - We will install software that lets you control what your kids see.
Fear often produces results. Virus and parental controls can cause a lot of anxiety, so play to those fears and offer a solution. If you're not very good at copy writing I'd ask someone to do it for you.
Good luck!
Those are good ideas.I think you would do better if you advertised a particular service at a fixed price rather than offering general IT services. A few ideas if the top of my head:-
Anti Virus check - We will check your anti virus is up to date and working properly. Installation of virus software service.
Parental control - We will install software that lets you control what your kids see.
Fear often produces results. Virus and parental controls can cause a lot of anxiety, so play to those fears and offer a solution. If you're not very good at copy writing I'd ask someone to do it for you.
Good luck!
Combine that with a 'loss leader' to get your foot in the door and you have the basis of a good campaign.
Something like:
Did you know one in X office computers has a virus? What would YOU do if you lost all the data on that PC, or even your whole network?
or
Did you know that the penalties for not holding the correct licences for every piece of software on every PC in your company is X?
Free assessment and yada yada yada.
You wont make much money from these, but they would be great to get a foot in the door and get them trusted in your work to become the go-to person. If they are worried about the first one, perhaps they could be upsold a decent backup solution integrated to their current systems, and maybe even a quote for some proper networking?
You should be open about your working practices and target the start-ups and small businesses that recognise the value in what you're offering (presumably significant savings over large companies with all of their overheads) and are tight enough to accept the disadvantages.
It's the route I took and it meant a huge amount of graft for scant reward. Eventually it snowballed to a critical mass where I was able to go self-employed (and never looked back). It's the sort of thing you have to do while you're young.
Friends and family are the first targets. Do a great job and they will talk and so your reputation grows and the work keeps coming in. It's the only marketing I've done in 8 years and it's cost me nothing more than doing my job well.
It's the route I took and it meant a huge amount of graft for scant reward. Eventually it snowballed to a critical mass where I was able to go self-employed (and never looked back). It's the sort of thing you have to do while you're young.
Friends and family are the first targets. Do a great job and they will talk and so your reputation grows and the work keeps coming in. It's the only marketing I've done in 8 years and it's cost me nothing more than doing my job well.
Gruffy, thanks for your help 
. I'll get going with building up my reputation.
Shameless plug: www.northwestpcrepair.co.uk (Will be sorting the colour scheme and header image this month, but the overall layout won't change)
Can I ask the local business bureau for a list of startups?
. I'll get going with building up my reputation.Shameless plug: www.northwestpcrepair.co.uk (Will be sorting the colour scheme and header image this month, but the overall layout won't change)
Can I ask the local business bureau for a list of startups?
The earlier suggestion of focusing on niche areas and fixed prices is a strong one. Rather than cold calling (which can be a demoralising and laborious, inefficient process), I'd suggest a small run of leaflets/postcards with the basic offering on them and a day spent trotting around the various industrial estates pushing them through doors.
Once you've defined your niche service and price I'd still recommend pushing it to your existing network, which is likely to be larger and more influential than you first realise.
Once you've defined your niche service and price I'd still recommend pushing it to your existing network, which is likely to be larger and more influential than you first realise.
If you want to target businesses operating out of hours why not have a look at small businesses. They will often be operating long hours and would be happy to consider support wen you are available. Particularly people like construction workers who are not likely to be around office hours as that is when they make money.
Organisations such as Business Link may be able to provide you with a list of start ups but you will have to pay for this.
I support the post card idea, another one would be to do one of those magnetic stickers which could be stuck to the side of a PC casing so it is always there if someone has a problem - not much help for a laptop though!
Organisations such as Business Link may be able to provide you with a list of start ups but you will have to pay for this.
I support the post card idea, another one would be to do one of those magnetic stickers which could be stuck to the side of a PC casing so it is always there if someone has a problem - not much help for a laptop though!
andyps said:
another one would be to do one of those magnetic stickers which could be stuck to the side of a PC casing so it is always there if someone has a problem
Good idea - in a different market, I have a Chem-Dry fridge magnet so I can always find the number if I need it. Otherwise things get buried, then binned.andyps said:
If you want to target businesses operating out of hours why not have a look at small businesses. They will often be operating long hours and would be happy to consider support wen you are available. Particularly people like construction workers who are not likely to be around office hours as that is when they make money.
Organisations such as Business Link may be able to provide you with a list of start ups but you will have to pay for this.
I support the post card idea, another one would be to do one of those magnetic stickers which could be stuck to the side of a PC casing so it is always there if someone has a problem - not much help for a laptop though!
That magnet idea is brilliant, anyone got a supplier they recommend, as opposed to me picking one out of Google Organisations such as Business Link may be able to provide you with a list of start ups but you will have to pay for this.
I support the post card idea, another one would be to do one of those magnetic stickers which could be stuck to the side of a PC casing so it is always there if someone has a problem - not much help for a laptop though!
.PH acumen succeeds again
. Just need to spread my expenditure over a few weeks as I'm currently moving house Taita said:
know a lot about Windows, a bit about Server 2003 and a fair bit of Linux from meddling in Ubuntu and Gentoo (shudder)
I run a small software development outfit. Something that would be really useful is getting a supplier for Linux builds on laptops. We've got three top of the range Thinkpads, all running XP, which I would love to move to a decent Linux distro, maybe with Wine installed for the odd Windowsy thing (or maybe dual-boot XP). I could probably do it myself if I had the time, but not really my core skillset and got too much else on my plate.I think there is an untapped market for such "malware-proof" builds for small businesses that don't have time waste fending off malware and Windows bloat, especially now that Vista is here. I suspect the thing that takes the time is getting power management, device drivers etc working properly.
Obviously not straightforward to do, but maybe if you specialised in a particular range (e.g. Thinkpads, Inspirons) and marketed to owners of that brand it might work.
Just my 2p - feel free to ignore
John
Taita said:
That magnet idea is brilliant, anyone got a supplier they recommend, as opposed to me picking one out of Google .
My other half has just set up as a freelance designer and does promotional material, she can do you a quote for magnets or anything else you want for promotion. She can help you design your stuff too, she works with a lot of small 'one man band' outfits as well a bigger companies and prices to suit..http://www.page-design.co.uk
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