self employment the only option?

podperson

Basically the main point of any new business is making sure people know about it. You say that you are willing to put the work in so you need to make a massive effort to promote yourself "place a few ads" is not really going to do it. Would suggest picking one area, two at the most to focus on to start with - can always add more later. For example for the pc repairs, could start with:
adverts in all local shop windows, look for boards in post offices, churches, community centres
adverts on websites, gumtree, local business and directory sites, basically all the free ones you can find
basic website set up for the business
go round local businesses, in particular try and target smaller, privately owned companies - these are less likely to have in-house IT support but their pcs will still break down
try local computer supply shops, do they offer their own repair and pc build service? if not can you work out a referral system with them?
leafleting - yes this is boring but it does get business in, make your own leaflets or business cards, print them out either yourself or cheaply at a copy shop and deliver, deliver, deliver, look for people in gardens and sat outside and have a chat with them, many people would rather use someone who seems more relatable to them then a larger company so make sure you come off as friendly and approachable.
check prices for ads in local paper
You know your local area better then me so am sure there any plenty of other things you can think of.

RobHunter_2

Jamie.
I think I know you.
Is your dad called Steve?
Its Rob, I used to run my own PC Repair business, but recently closed it due to a fantastic offer from a local school for me to work in the IT dept.
Anyway, if your thinking of running a PC business then your in for some hard work that may or not pay off, mine ran quite well and was able to fund quite a few things, it paid my wages and got me a half decent car, my fuel bills were all paid for through the business and I had plenty to live off, however I did have a regular customer base of over 1000 regulars.
The key to success in the PC business is your reputation, never let the customers down, 1 bad job can create a very bad name for your business, however 1 good job can create masses of leads.
I was lucky and landed a good contract in the oil shipping industry, repairing the systems on the oil tankers coming into the Humber.
I also was mobile, which has advantages and its problems, such as higher fuel costs, more time sat on your butt in traffic when you could be earning cash in the office/workshop.
The best advice I can give you is keep your books clean, there are so many out there on the fiddle and its just not worth it, I ran mine flawlessly for 10 years, I'll miss it, but the job I have now is too good, I work in a massive IT Dept that got top of the range gear in an air conditioned room, its bliss, and I am paid for it.
Let me know if you need any pointers.
Do you wanna buy my website, lol

jamiemusson

RobHunter wrote: »

Jamie.
I think I know you.
Is your dad called Steve?
Its Rob, I used to run my own PC Repair business, but recently closed it due to a fantastic offer from a local school for me to work in the IT dept.
Anyway, if your thinking of running a PC business then your in for some hard work that may or not pay off, mine ran quite well and was able to fund quite a few things, it paid my wages and got me a half decent car, my fuel bills were all paid for through the business and I had plenty to live off, however I did have a regular customer base of over 1000 regulars.
The key to success in the PC business is your reputation, never let the customers down, 1 bad job can create a very bad name for your business, however 1 good job can create masses of leads.
I was lucky and landed a good contract in the oil shipping industry, repairing the systems on the oil tankers coming into the Humber.
I also was mobile, which has advantages and its problems, such as higher fuel costs, more time sat on your butt in traffic when you could be earning cash in the office/workshop.
The best advice I can give you is keep your books clean, there are so many out there on the fiddle and its just not worth it, I ran mine flawlessly for 10 years, I'll miss it, but the job I have now is too good, I work in a massive IT Dept that got top of the range gear in an air conditioned room, its bliss, and I am paid for it.
Let me know if you need any pointers.
Do you wanna buy my website, lol

Fancy bumping into you here! Yeah, I know your business ran well, a big problem with it nowadays is there's so much competition..

Am I correct to assume most callouts will be reinstalling vital windows files? Virus removal and Internet/Network problems?

I'm concerned if I do run into a problem that I can't fix, I've dabbled in linux but I'm not fluent at all..I think using common sense I'd be able to diagnose hardware faults as they're usually easy to work out..

If you could give me any pointers, I'd greatly appreciate it, any useful websites, links to improve my learning and knowledge even more..

by the way I've stopped dabbling with viruses etc now:rotfl:

and unfortunately, I doubt I'd be able to purchase your website, I'm in debt (yes, already) and flint skint. work in grimsby isn't easy to come across it would seem, I've been applying for everything and nothing has come up yet.

send me a pm and let me have a gander at your website anyway, I remember it was all flash and professional..

...what kind of hits was you getting on your website and if I was to buy it (which isn't probable), could I take over where you left off? sort of "under new management" thing.

Also, did you ever get bored of repairing peoples' computers and them breathing down your neck telling you what they think is wrong? :P

thanks very much
[edit]
just found your website, it's quite something! very impressive. is it a template or did you start from scratch? did you make that flash animation at the top? Very well made website & attractive to the eye too