Ideas for advertising a computer repair business

motorguy

ukbill69 wrote: »

Yes and as you said they are new bikes being sold by the shop, so that is ok. But I know been in business for years, know that my clients would not like a sticker on there property, and yes you are damaging there property if adding something they dont ask for.

He stated and restated though that he would ask permission first, so i dont know why you're jumping all over this?

Personally, i'd maybe tuck a business into the edge of the case at the back, or at very least give them a handful of cards if they dont mind passing them on.

PasturesNew

I used to have a gas boiler and got the British Gas service cover. First visit, the man plonked a magnetic card on my boiler, with the emergency number. That was ideal because next time I needed to call I could grab it and then walk to the phone to call them out. If there are issues with people getting p155y about stickers, then maybe you can look at some low cost, thin, flexible magnetic business cards to stick on the PCs.

bestyman

As a plumber I get as much work from the web than the 4 ( 3 small, 1 almost half page)adverts in the yellow pages. As you know websites cost from £20 yr , Yellow pages runs into £1,000s.

Also, as all computer users ( waits for comments) have internet access, I would say that web advertising is the way to go.
I think most households have more then one computer nowadays and anyhow computers need not die before they are repaired.
Get as many websites as you can manage, like you say , name them the town then pc repairs, laptop repairs etc so they do well in google. Submitt to google maps and get listings on sites such as free index. Be prepared for 100s of sales reps to ring you talking boll****S about getting you to the top of google.

A landline number is far better then a mobile. I would be scared to ring a mobile and then give someone my £500 laptop.
If you want to know more about diverting a landline to a mobile let me know.
I agree the stickers are a fantastic idea.
Good luck and ignore the stupid comments.

Savvy_Sue

PasturesNew wrote: »

I used to have a gas boiler and got the British Gas service cover. First visit, the man plonked a magnetic card on my boiler, with the emergency number. That was ideal because next time I needed to call I could grab it and then walk to the phone to call them out. If there are issues with people getting p155y about stickers, then maybe you can look at some low cost, thin, flexible magnetic business cards to stick on the PCs.

While that's ideal for a boiler, do computers and magnets mix?

more_money_for_me

Maybe give a mouse mat with your details on to each satisfied customer? Or a flash drive? Even a key ring. Think the important thing is to leave something, so that people can find you again.

Savvy_Sue

Or a biro. Even in this day and age, we all use biros still ...

cirrusmp

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pitkin2020

ukbill69 wrote: »

Yes and as you said they are new bikes being sold by the shop, so that is ok. But I know been in business for years, know that my clients would not like a sticker on there property, and yes you are damaging there property if adding something they dont ask for.

Why....really why......why bother to post something when you clearly didn't read the posts before. It was stated to ask permission before sticking a sticker on the PC, only an idiot would stick something on someones property without asking. Did you find that out the hard way and get taken to court yourself?

OP your business cards sound great. A landline definetly gives you a bit more creditabilty than just a mobile number.
As for extra marketing keyrings are cheap as chips and you can fill around 25 inserts from a sheet of A4 making it quite cost effective to do them yourself.

Your gumtree ad may not a lot more than 20 odd views to get you work, get someone to look over it, preferably someone who isn't computer savvy and see what they make of it, after all that is your target market and they can give you a better outlook on it to see whats missing or whats "too much" in the advert.

paulwf

cirrusmp wrote: »

Agree with most people that have posted - and thanks for all the ideas.
At the moment however things are not looking good, 24 views for my advertisement on gumtree (not all mine, last time i looked it was on 7) yet nobody calling even for a quote so may have to look at rewording the ad, possibly listing qualifications or something like that.

Have you got a unique selling point? Although a USP isn't magically going to transform your business you do need something to set you apart and make you better from the rest. Try and come up with half a dozen points and get the message across clearly and concisely in your adverts.

Being just 10% better than the rest could bring in 100% more business, it really is important. There are also some good books on how to turn leads into sales...it is amazing how many people know their profession inside out but don't have a clue about selling themselves (not saying that applies to you personally at all).

As an exercise why not try and create a list here for us to check? If that doesn't help feel free to skip that of course.

If possible try and have a simple and up front charging structure. I hate having to use companies that charge by the hour and can't give you a clear idea of how long it will take...I'd prefer to pay a fixed fee even if it works out to be more expensive because it reassures you when you haven't used the company before.

What are you doing in terms of networking? Personally I'd be steering away from small scale ad hoc domestic customers and try to get regular small business contracts. Take the Business Link courses, you'll get to meet a dozen startups that will all need IT help! Join your local business and enterprise groups. Heck I think even my solicitor arranges networking meetings for their clients. If you can get some computer resellers on your side you could really hit the big time.

bestyman

If you do divert from landline to mobile the charges soon add up.
I use O2 mobile landline, basiclally my mobile has a freephone number at a cost of £15 per month but you do need to be a O2 business customer to get this. This way all diverts are free.

Also, I have seen people advertisong on ebay for computer repairs. When my sony vaio has a dodgy power jack a few advertised to repair it at £65 including return postage. In the end I emailed a few local firms and was quoted £75, £60 and the last email quoted me £20 ( I had already bought the part). IMO £20 was far too cheap and this price included pick up and drop off. I said I would rather drop it off at his house and did that.