Breaking into IT

[Senoska]

So me and my brother currently co-run a "small software business" that services southeast michigan. It makes money, but not as much as we'd like. Jobs are too sparse to make ends meet. We've been tossing the idea of getting into computer repair / networking and just offering our software as a part of the company rather than the entire thing.

The problem is, hiring someone isn't really an option at the moment so its basically him and I in regards to repairs. How do we break into this? How do you get clients? Craigslist sounded like a good idea until I noticed its tons of companies spamming (Literally.) 5-6 ads a day and we're not really going to get our name out there. We live in a fairly large city. How do you break into this field?

[Cephius]

So do you want to service mostly home users and small businesses? If so that's mostly word of mouth. Put up flyers, put ads on craigslist (yeah, it's a shitfest, but it's free advertising) call companies to see who they have working for them and see if they want to try someone else. Try offering discounts the first time around if they promise to tell a friend about you, shit like that.

Good luck, I always viewed that sort of thing as a way to make supplemental income, not something you can really use as a main source of income unless you get a larger company to hire you full time.

[Jefe]

Craig's is a just fucking mess for the reason you mentioned, you should still post because it can potentially get you a client or two.

Before I went into web dev, I also did a bit of computer repairs. My strategy was basically to visit the local colleges and universities and promote the business there. I obviously gave the students discounts. I did my shit right because they were recommending me to their friends, etc. My goal was to get enough funds to print brochures and mail them to local business. I had a few business cards left and went to a print shop. The owner saw my card, my title was "web developer," he said he wanted a website to promote his business. Long story short, I made it, came out w/ 800 bucks + business cards and brochures to promote my web development business instead. I'm not swimming in money, but pays tuition, food, rent, etc. and I work whenever the hell I want.

[Cephius]

Craig's is a just fucking mess for the reason you mentioned, you should still post because it can potentially get you a client or two.

Before I went into web dev, I also did a bit of computer repairs. My strategy was basically to visit the local colleges and universities and promote the business there. I obviously gave the students discounts. I did my shit right because they were recommending me to their friends, etc. My goal was to get enough funds to print brochures and mail them to local business. I had a few business cards left and went to a print shop. The owner saw my card, my title was "web developer," he said he wanted a website to promote his business. Long story short, I made it, came out w/ 800 bucks + business cards and brochures to promote my web development business instead. I'm not swimming in money, but pays tuition, food, rent, etc. and I work whenever the hell I want.

Not to say you're wrong, but web development != computer repair and networking.

[Jefe]

Did you read the post? Lol..

[xerodok]

Southeastern Michigan where?

My friend & I were talking about opening a small computer repair/upgrade/retail outlet. Our plans are to offer network & server consulting as well, which brings in the most money.

Our marketing scheme would be comparing the prices to Geek Squad & hopefully pull in customers that way. Also, by offering parts for way cheaper than Best Buy or other retail companies can bring in customers too.

As for finding new customers? Cragislist is a great way to start if it's just you two. For us, the strategy would be more focused on smaller advertisements. Signage, fliers to people's doorstep, Save It ad circulations, maybe even an advertisement at movie theaters before they play the previews (believe it or not, as annoying as they are, they hit a lot of potential customers.) And surprisingly enough, people do still read the paper.

[Senoska]

Southeastern Michigan where?

My friend & I were talking about opening a small computer repair/upgrade/retail outlet. Our plans are to offer network & server consulting as well, which brings in the most money.

Our marketing scheme would be comparing the prices to Geek Squad & hopefully pull in customers that way. Also, by offering parts for way cheaper than Best Buy or other retail companies can bring in customers too.

As for finding new customers? Cragislist is a great way to start if it's just you two. For us, the strategy would be more focused on smaller advertisements. Signage, fliers to people's doorstep, Save It ad circulations, maybe even an advertisement at movie theaters before they play the previews (believe it or not, as annoying as they are, they hit a lot of potential customers.) And surprisingly enough, people do still read the paper.

We work out of Novi and have done work as far as kalamazoo, which I guess is west michigan, lol. Basically we advertise in the area and thats basically it. Freelance shit on the side. Just looking for some cheap ways of expanding right now, not like... movie ads or anything, lol.

[Guyverarmor]

Granted it's not IT, but I have a side biz doing computer repair.. I just posted fliers and pickets around my town.. it's been okay, I got 3 in the shop I am currently working on.

I tried CL.. and yeah, it convoluted with other people trying to get their name out as well... so unless you can make your advertisement epic, it will just be lost... nothing beats going around posting fliers.. it works if you are in the right area

[Yabby]

Let me know if you make it down to the clarkston to flint area and need support in that area lol.

[Tits]

Word of mouth is your friend. Find small businesses, especially those that cannot hire their own IT staff or who have no need to staff a full time IT staff. Present your concepts to them. Tell them why you are better than having an in-house IT staff. Go over the benefits of having your software on their machines.

Good places to do this: doctors' offices (read: small-midsize medical offices,) day care centers, small mom&pop stores (privately owned and operated retail establishments, not bodegas or convenience stores,) and other companies that would fall under the same umbrella.

I would suggest developing a package that allows the client to call you as needed and pay you for the work on the spot, as well as a package that allows the client to pay you a specific amount of money for serviceability over a period of time.

[Senoska]

Let me know if you make it down to the clarkston to flint area and need support in that area lol.

My brother lives in Clarkston and does all our stuff in the area, actually.

[Tits]

Also, I suggest delving in to backup solutions. Many small businesses have poorly implemented backup systems.

[Senoska]

I'm pretty fucking awful with photoshop and I've never had to do these flier things..

First attempt. Added bad clipart for comedic value.

Spoiler: show

http://i37.tinypic.com/2e2dzt1.jpg

Also, our name fucking sucks. Our software shit is Squared Software but it doesn't work so well with IT.. lol..

[Tits]

Prioritize the services offered on your flier.

"Most Repairs Completed on Site" should be rephrased to indicate a percentage of repairs that can be performed on site (85%-90% sounds reasonable.) Do not list it as a bullet point in the list of services offered, instead, present it as fact.

Instead of saying "And Much More" try to say something to the effect of "And any other technical issues" or something along those lines.

Instead of "OS Installation and Updating" indicate that you have the capability to do system rollouts. It sounds more professional and it implies that you can set up a new system for them on the fly in little to no time. For these purposes, create Image discs that include the requisite applications for the respective company.

I'm at work currently, I'll come up with more stuffs when I get out.

[Senoska]

I printed out 150 of them earlier. I didn't change anything. I posted it and jetted over to Kinko's. I like what you suggested. I'm going to change what I have after I distribute these.

[Jefe]

Eh, not gonna lie, the flyer looks ugly and generic. Mine is about the same... Idk what I was thinking but it worked w/ students; the revised version had like "Computer Problems? Call for reinforcements" or some shit like that:

Spoiler: show

http://img685.imageshack.us/img685/9756/lolvq.jpg

[Senoska]

I wanted simple and generic. It's what I was going for, actually. Nothing too spiffy. Nothing I have to print in color. Nothing that doesn't get right to the point. I want people to look and go "That's a computer thing." Old people don't give a fuck if the ad looks nice, they just wan to see "COMPUTER" in big text and then rip a number off. Thats just what I'm doing though.

How quick did you get a return on your flyers? I want to know how effective this shit is going to be and if I'm not getting a good enough response what to change. If you know what I mean. :3

[Nyaanyaa_Midgardsormr]

Some suggestions:

1. Make that computer smile, not have a sad face. A smile gives the clients a positive feeling, which arouses confidence towards your company. While a sad face gives them a negative feeling.. people don't wanna see sad things, period.

2. Why mention only "Wireless Networking" when you can set up both Cable and Wireless Networking? You might think it's obvious that you can set up a cable network when you can set up a wireless network, but some (stupid) people might think you just don't do cable networking 'cause you don't deem it worth your time or w/e, or they just aren't sure. Well, there's 1-2 possible clients you might've just lost. Of course you can argue it's unlikely, but rather be overcautious than regret.

3. "Custom Built Computers" This point seems quite inaccurate. Custom Built Computers what? Can clients call you and tell you what they want, and you build the computer for them? Or can they only call you when they have the parts already, and you visit them and build the computer for them? Or does it just mean you install the computer they built themselves for them? Being a bit more specific wouldn't hurt.

4. Sort your list, e.g. having "X Installation" somewhere at the top of your list, and then again "Y Installation" somewhere at the bottom seems messy. On that note.. why mention only "PC Installation" and not "Software & Hardware Installation" which includes PC Installation, while at the same time opening a much brider spectrum. On top of that, it sounds more professional.

5. Use a simple Font. Fancy fonts look flashy and all, but you don't want them to think "Hey, that looks cool." You want them to pay attention to what your service provides. A fancy font distracts. You want them to _read_ and not just admire the font.

6. You should also leave some space between the rows to make it more easily readable. It's supposed to look like a list of interesting services you offer... not a wall of text. Like if had written this post as a single long text, noone would've wanted to read it, but by separating it in paragraphs it seems much easier to read. It's like the difference between taking small bits and eating a whole hamburger in _one_ bit. It's just too much at once.

Hope I could help.

[Tits]

SOMEONE'S in marketing

[Ratatapa]

Wanna try this as well, but for me it would Evenings and Weekends since I already have a full time job, but it'S hard to get contacts, tried facebook, Lespacs(Quebec craig'slist) and Kijij montréal, not a single call. Gotta say people are stupid here, they prefer paying 70/h at Futureshiop or Bestbuy then ask someone who doesn't have a registrated CIE