Need Ideas :)

[tobad9060]

Okay, I have begun my pc repair business and i need help advertising meaning stuff I can do physically. Make flyers, business cards etc. I currently use X10hosting for my website host with several off site database hostings. But if anyone has any ideas on how to distribute flyers in my local area without having soliciting issues etc. And ideas on advertisement around a neighbor hood then please comment! All help you guys can through in will be appreciated. I will even throw in PC support free remotely for a year or something when I'm finished.

Thanks, James

[Brandon]

Go to a busy parking lot and place a flyer in ever cars wiper. Everyone does it around here.

[tobad9060]

Do you think I would get alot of business though? I've got a graphics designer I know making me a new flyer / business card to be appealing to get printed off at office depot.

[Brandon]

Never will know if you never try. Remember a lot of business will be word of mouth, so you need to focus on a few first and then you'll get more.

[tobad9060]

I know, people in my neighbor know me as the staples guy.. I have repaired alot of community members computers just have never tried starting a business with it. But the deal is, if i start charging i can upgrade my web hosting here etc. And buy other essential certs and etc that I need and begin training others. Thank you for your ideas I really appreciate it.

[cybrax]

Building a client base in the real world is a challenge. Word of mouth recomendations from any succesful PC repair will generate some business, more so especially if you offer something above and beyond in terms of service. After all any chump can run around doing virus scans armed only with a cell-phone and a copy of AVG (and many do in the UK). Very early on after doing some market research and a little brainstorming we came up with several questions.

Q1> When does Joe Public discover they have a problem with thier PC?
Q2> WHEN do they get it fixed
Q3> WHY should a client come to us?

A1> Typically between the hours of when they come home from work and when they goto bed.

A2> Ahh ther's the rub..
a: Wait till the weekend and take it to the PC repair shop
b: Take it to work then dash crosstown to shop during lunchbreak
c: Take a day off work and wait in for visiting tech repair guy

A3> TRUST.

So we answer the phone after 5pm and make local housecalls till 10pm.
Provide an early morning drop in service at the workshop for those going to work.
Use a hard line number on the flyer.

Business clients we approached a little differently, and began targeting small outfits with no obvious IT support in house. Offering discount web site makeovers, extoling the energy/cost saving benefits of upgrading to flatscreen TFT monitors (accountants love this sort of thing) and pointing out that their WiFi password could be broken in under three minutes from a parked car across the street.

[denzil]

hmm, I wouldn't go for the flyer in wiper thing. It ticks people off. I sure find it annoying. But maybe it's just me. Just be careful not to annoy potential customers.

[Sharky]

hmm, I wouldn't go for the flyer in wiper thing. It ticks people off. I sure find it annoying. But maybe it's just me. Just be careful not to annoy potential customers.

Agreed, especially when it's icy and the moron breaks the wipers yanking it off. I purposefully screw up this form of advertising and throw it on the floor hoping that they'll get fined or something.

I don't want any dimwit touching my car, especially not for advertising.

[carl6969]

I agree with Cybrax that word of mouth is very important. Positive word of mouth recommendations can build business very rapidly but negative word of mouth comments can destroy your business very quickly. Of all the advertising methods I have tried the most effective, for any cost, has been referrals from satisfied customers.

Around my neck of the woods small business owners, especially those offering various types of services, actively spend time meeting with potential clients, leaving flyers and business cards. Frequently another small business owner will allow business cards to be left on the counter near the till or a flyer to be placed on the front window even if they are not currently interested in the service. Small business owners understand the difficulties of promoting their business and are often willing to help each other out in this way so long as it is not a competing service.

There are a number of places in my area including laundries, donut shops, and grocery stores that have public bulletin boards where a business card and / or flyer can be placed. I agree with others here that door hangers and flyers placed on vehicles are annoying and will immediately give me a negative opinion of the business and in some places this type of advertising is even illegal due to the litter it can generate. I consider windshield flyers and door hangers printed spam and treat it in much the same way I treat email spam.

Another excellent point made by Cybrax is offering superior service such as extended operating hours and discounts for first time customers or repeat customers.

[cybrax]

Off the cuff idea - rather than flyers how about free screen wipes printed with the business name / contact details on the individual packaging?


There is one other thing that you need to be aware of.

The Gods do love idiots as they seem to make an awful lot of them.

Be prepared, you will be dealing with the customers that larger high street PC specialist retailers with in house repair workshops have turned away either because of outdated hardware, unsupported operating systems and other software. Or the fact that they are just barking mad.

Recent examples - client with an elderly Toshiba lifebook running Win 98 [32MB ram] in one hand and a copy of Win7 in the other needs help with installing the 'upgrade' he purchased from another retailer.

But enough of my problems for monday morning...

Dig out that clean shirt and tie and get your face known. Build links with related business owners, such as web design and training providers. Whilst they may not be able to give you much work directly they may recomend you to others.

Charity Work - I know... time is money and doing something for nothing does stick in the throat but bear with me on this. Local libraries and community projects often have a computer club of sorts for seniors who want to learn about using a PC and the internet.
Getting your face known in this circle can generate both sales of new kit and tech support requests.