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Advertising Ideas - Computer support company
Mike1901
Posts: 70 Forumite
Hi!
I've set up a small-scale computer support business (aimed at home users/small businesses) to earn some money whilst doing my University course, and was just wondering: what cheap/free ways of marketing such a business would you say are most effective? Is it just a case of going door-to-door with leaflet drops or do people find other methods more effective?
Many thanks for any advice!
Mike
I've set up a small-scale computer support business (aimed at home users/small businesses) to earn some money whilst doing my University course, and was just wondering: what cheap/free ways of marketing such a business would you say are most effective? Is it just a case of going door-to-door with leaflet drops or do people find other methods more effective?
Many thanks for any advice!
Mike
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Comments
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I don't know about for computer support specifically but twitter and facebook groups are good for gaining a following and are totally free.
Can you partner up with any other businesses so that they send work your way? The other thing to think about is what is your target market or your speciality? For example are you doing budget repairs for students or do you have the patient non technical approach to help the silver surfers? Do you specialise in data recovery or macs or setting up broadband etc? Unless you have a core market or speciality its going to be very hard to do cost effective marketing as you can't target your marketing.
Have you read the numerous threads on here about PC repairs startups? Seems like everyone is doing it so you'll be operating in a very crowded market.0 -
Hi!
I've set up a small-scale computer support business (aimed at home users/small businesses) to earn some money whilst doing my University course, and was just wondering: what cheap/free ways of marketing such a business would you say are most effective? Is it just a case of going door-to-door with leaflet drops or do people find other methods more effective?
Many thanks for any advice!
Mike
What did you have in your business plan for a marketing strategy?
Why has this failed to produce the customers, at least initially, that you had hoped for? This is vital as I would have thought much of the business you get would come from repeat business or word of mouth from those initial customers."Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
It's a fair point about the market being saturated - although during my research I identified a gap in my local area in terms of companies specifically targeting home users rather that businesses
Initially, I thought leaflet drops would be a good way to get custom, but these tend to just be thrown in the bin. I'm quite new to the area, so the amount of initial personal contact I have are fairly limited 0 -
It's a fair point about the market being saturated - although during my research I identified a gap in my local area in terms of companies specifically targeting home users rather that businesses
It might be because the market isn't there much any more. 10 years ago Win98 was a pain to troubleshoot and computers cost £1000. These days most tech savvy teens can sort out Win 7 for their neighbour and worst case is £300 if the computer had died.
As I said before, try and find a niche and become known as the local expert.0 -
It might be because the market isn't there much any more. ...
From my own limited experience, I suspect you are spot on there!
The problem is for the few personal users who cannot fix the problem themselves (or know someone who can for free) then they are inclined to only use a large, well known computer store for help (because they obviously know so little about computers anyway)"Now to trolling as a concept. .... Personally, I've always found it a little sad that people choose to spend such a large proportion of their lives in this way but they do, and we have to deal with it." - MSE Forum Manager 6th July 20100 -
I like the silver surfers idea, my in-laws are terrified of their PC. How about notices in doctors surgeries (Or anywhere else that senior citizens frequent?)Make £25 a day in April £0/£750 (March £584, February £602, January £883.66)
December £361.54, November £322.28, October £288.52, September £374.30, August £223.95, July £71.45, June £251.22, May£119.33, April £236.24, March £106.74, Feb £40.99, Jan £98.54) Total for 2017 - £2,495.100 -
I'm doing it at the moment and the silkver surfers market is hugh. I have one lady that I visit every week and do training with her. She didn't even know how to email a few weeks ago. I now have her emailing and using facebook.
She wanted to use BBC iplayer and has Virgin TV, she didn't even know how to use that. So I'm teaching her all manner of new tech stuff.
She has already refered me to 3 other similar friends.
I'm sure that there are loads of people like her that need some guidence. It just takes a bit of time to find them.
Good luck.Helping the country to sleep better....ZZZzzzzzzz0 -
Pinkypants wrote: »I'm doing it at the moment and the silkver surfers market is hugh. I have one lady that I visit every week and do training with her. She didn't even know how to email a few weeks ago. I now have her emailing and using facebook.
She wanted to use BBC iplayer and has Virgin TV, she didn't even know how to use that. So I'm teaching her all manner of new tech stuff.
She has already refered me to 3 other similar friends.
I'm sure that there are loads of people like her that need some guidence. It just takes a bit of time to find them.
Good luck.
How much do you get per hour?0 -
£20. Been there 4 weeks on the trot with 1st customer and once so far for the referalls.Helping the country to sleep better....ZZZzzzzzzz0
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what about approaching your local day centre and offering your services.0
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