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Home > Archive > alt.certification.a-plus > April 2005 > Starting your own business
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Starting your own business
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| Bill Jones 2005-04-06, 2:30 pm |
| Has anyone here been certified and can't find a decent paying job and
decided to go out on there own and start your own business? If so what
have you done for advertising and getting the word out there about
what you do?
Is it worth it?
Myself, I have worked for a couple big box stores that pay nothing and
rip off the customer. I have been on a couple interviews for mobile
service techs that advertise they pay quite well, but then find out
they only pay you while you are at the customers place. They don't pay
you while you travel from customer to customer. You use your own car,
cell phone, and tools. If that's the norm, then I might as well do it
for myself and take home the $80. hr. for troubleshooting or $50. for
that virus removal.
Anyone want to share some tips?
Feel free to email me directly if you don't want to post here.
Thanks
Bill
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| abconline@hotmail.com (Bill Jones) wrote in
news:8e0fc18c.0501202209.2d420575@posting.google.com:
> Has anyone here been certified and can't find a decent paying job and
> decided to go out on there own and start your own business? If so what
> have you done for advertising and getting the word out there about
> what you do?
> Is it worth it?
>
> Myself, I have worked for a couple big box stores that pay nothing and
> rip off the customer. I have been on a couple interviews for mobile
> service techs that advertise they pay quite well, but then find out
> they only pay you while you are at the customers place. They don't pay
> you while you travel from customer to customer. You use your own car,
> cell phone, and tools. If that's the norm, then I might as well do it
> for myself and take home the $80. hr. for troubleshooting or $50. for
> that virus removal.
>
> Anyone want to share some tips?
> Feel free to email me directly if you don't want to post here.
>
> Thanks
> Bill
>
I have been doing this as a side job, between contracts, and starting to
give serious consideration of making the switch permamenent. The
customers are individuals with sick home systems. This niche market, as
you pointed out, are often exploited by the big boxes, and other service
providers tend to ignore these people.
Primary advertisement is word of mouth, people hear that I will clean
their systems (spyware, virsus etc.) or install their new hardware for a
reasonable price (in the 25 - 45 depending on distance traveled) which is
cheaper then anyone else. Also they will find a detail list of issues
and resolutions; I also provide them a sheet of things to do for and safe
computing on the network, (such things as where to look for temporary
files, setting up a schedule to defrag their drives, basic maintenance
issues). Any software, not freeware they want installed, they need to
purchase. I believe spending money on advertisement is not worth it,
word of mouth seems the best bet.
In my case the word of mouth is former customers and my better half who
works with the public all day.
Bum
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| «BONEHEAD>> 2005-04-06, 2:30 pm |
|
"Bum" <Bum@bummer.org> wrote in message
news:Xns95E53728D713FBumbummer
org@24.24.2.166...
> abconline@hotmail.com (Bill Jones) wrote in
> news:8e0fc18c.0501202209.2d420575@posting.google.com:
>
>
>
> I have been doing this as a side job, between contracts, and starting to
> give serious consideration of making the switch permamenent. The
> customers are individuals with sick home systems. This niche market, as
> you pointed out, are often exploited by the big boxes, and other service
> providers tend to ignore these people.
>
> Primary advertisement is word of mouth, people hear that I will clean
> their systems (spyware, virsus etc.) or install their new hardware for a
> reasonable price (in the 25 - 45 depending on distance traveled) which is
> cheaper then anyone else. Also they will find a detail list of issues
> and resolutions; I also provide them a sheet of things to do for and safe
> computing on the network, (such things as where to look for temporary
> files, setting up a schedule to defrag their drives, basic maintenance
> issues). Any software, not freeware they want installed, they need to
> purchase. I believe spending money on advertisement is not worth it,
> word of mouth seems the best bet.
>
> In my case the word of mouth is former customers and my better half who
> works with the public all day.
>
I do the same thing, but also post business cards and multiple
flyers (post card size) in locations that allow it, (groceries, local bars),
the most cost effective has been vinyl lettering on my car on the trunk,
w/ company name, phone number, and website addy, best $15 you can
spend... believe it or not, they will call your house or cell phone while
driving right behind you...
Make your price competitive, check what the going rate in your area is,
knock off $10 bucks, don't cheat yourself .... they will pay...
set up service contracts w/ small businesses (easy money),
promote yourself as a freelance IT Dept.
Next make sure you set yourself up with a vendor's license, and a
seperate bank account, call your local Small Business Administration,
they are more helpful than you would expect...
Find an accountant that works with small businesses, they know the ins and
outs,
(for a little barter I get most of my service for free)...
There are some simple things to have in place, you don't want the IRS
bugging you after a little success, and have them say BTW where's are cut...
BEST RULE.... BE HONEST, BE PROMPT, AND BE PATIENT...
--
<B0N3H3@D>
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein
| |
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| On Fri, 21 Jan 2005 10:25:15 GMT, Bum <Bum@bummer.org> wrote:
>
>
>I have been doing this as a side job, between contracts, and starting to
>give serious consideration of making the switch permamenent. The
>customers are individuals with sick home systems. This niche market, as
>you pointed out, are often exploited by the big boxes, and other service
>providers tend to ignore these people.
>
>Primary advertisement is word of mouth, people hear that I will clean
>their systems (spyware, virsus etc.) or install their new hardware for a
>reasonable price (in the 25 - 45 depending on distance traveled) which is
>cheaper then anyone else. Also they will find a detail list of issues
>and resolutions; I also provide them a sheet of things to do for and safe
>computing on the network, (such things as where to look for temporary
>files, setting up a schedule to defrag their drives, basic maintenance
>issues). Any software, not freeware they want installed, they need to
>purchase. I believe spending money on advertisement is not worth it,
>word of mouth seems the best bet.
>
>In my case the word of mouth is former customers and my better half who
>works with the public all day.
>
>Bum
Hi can we have a look at your sheet of things to do for and safe
computing on the net?
I just use business cards and offer vouchers or cash for any referals
St5eve
| |
| Frederic 2005-04-06, 2:30 pm |
| Starting a business requires many more skills than repairing a computer. It
also requires selling your service.
Some can't find a job because they use the same way as too many people.
If you reach your customer a way that he doesn't expect you have more chance
(in that case, your employer)
fax and email are great tools to directly reach the appropriate managers.
The trick is to get those information.
--
Frederic
MCP, IT Project+, i-Net+, CIW Associate, A+
------------------------------------------------------
http://fredsfastcram.bravehost.com
------------------------------------------------------
"Bill Jones" <abconline@hotmail.com> wrote in message
news:8e0fc18c.0501202209.2d420575@posting.google.com...
> Has anyone here been certified and can't find a decent paying job and
> decided to go out on there own and start your own business? If so what
> have you done for advertising and getting the word out there about
> what you do?
> Is it worth it?
>
> Myself, I have worked for a couple big box stores that pay nothing and
> rip off the customer. I have been on a couple interviews for mobile
> service techs that advertise they pay quite well, but then find out
> they only pay you while you are at the customers place. They don't pay
> you while you travel from customer to customer. You use your own car,
> cell phone, and tools. If that's the norm, then I might as well do it
> for myself and take home the $80. hr. for troubleshooting or $50. for
> that virus removal.
>
> Anyone want to share some tips?
> Feel free to email me directly if you don't want to post here.
>
> Thanks
> Bill
| |
|
| SJ <neathblue@hotmail.com> wrote in
news g73v0pihad7kac98kv6t6udh
acq946tnl@4ax.com:
> Hi can we have a look at your sheet of things to do for and safe
> computing on the net?
>
> I just use business cards and offer vouchers or cash for any referals
>
> St5eve
Sure here is sample of a general statement ... for XP ....
Safe Computing: (XP)
Common things that should be done:
- Right click My Computer select explore
o Click the Plus sign (+) to change it to a negative (-) sign
on the Local Disk (C:\)
o Click the Plus sign (+) to change it to a negative (-) sign
on the Documents and Settings folder
(C:\Documents and Settings\)
* This folder contains all information for each individual (user
accounts) who signs into the computer (C:\Documents and
Settings\{user name})
o For each user account temporary files are stored in three
(3) places; you may have two (2) additional locations
if Sun Java is installed. These locations are:
* C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Cookies\
* C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temp
* C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Local Settings\Temporary
Internet Files
* The optional Location can be
* C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data\Sun
\Deployment\Cache\javapi\v1.0\Jar
* C:\Documents and Settings\{user name}\Application Data\Sun
\Deployment\Cache\javapi\v1.0\file
* The files in these locations can be deleted without any adverse
affects to your system and should be deleted at the
minimum of once a week
o The last location to look for temp files is within the
windows directory:
* C:\Windows\Temp
* NOTE: seldom are there files in this location; but none the less
you should check
Spyware/Adaware/Malware
- Many ostensibly free programs come with spyware or adware. The program
installer doesn't always describe every program
being installed. (From Download.com Spyware Center)
- As Mr. Holzman writes, ?To make matters worse, some of these Spyware
companies attempt to trick you into downloading their
Spyware by displaying fake Windows error messages that appear quite
genuine, and fool you into clicking on them. These fake
messages may say things like: "Your Computer is Currently Broadcasting an
Internet IP Address," "Your Internet Connection Is
Not Optimized" or "Your Current Connection May Be Capable of Faster
Speeds...." Once you click on one, you are whisked away
to the Spyware companies website." (Carey Holzman 2003/06/10 Removing
Spyware)
- If you find a neat little program and wish to install it, Stop. Do not
install it until you create a restore point on your
computer. To do so -
o Start -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Restore Point
o This will start the Restore Point Wizard; we want to create a
restore point prior to installing any new
application
- When installing the application, read very carefully the End User
License Agreement (EULA)
- After installing your neat little new application run Spybot and Ad-
Aware (both are installed on your computer); if this
neat little program has any type of offending code these programs will
more then likely tell you of its existence. Follow
the instructions for removal of these offending applications.
- Also, make sure to check for updates to Spybot and Ad-Aware
Other more mundane things that caution needs to be practiced on:
- registering a program
o Will they send you an activation key? Or is it required to run?
* NO - they will not send you an activation key ? then fill
the form in with fictitious information.
* Yes - they will send you an activation key - then fill the
form in with fictitious information except a
valid e-mail address - in this case have a separate e-
mail account from yahoo or hotmail or some other free
e-mail service - because even if one does select "I Do
not want my information shared" or "Do not want to
be notified of other special offers" ... A company may
still sell your information
Did you hear about - "Bill 602P which will permit the Federal Govt to
charge a 5 cent surcharge on every email delivered ?"
or what about "A directory of cell phone numbers will soon be
published?" or what about "A wealthy foreigner who needs help
moving millions of dollars from his homeland promises a hefty percentage
of this fortune as a reward for assisting him.?"
Ok, we see these messages arrive from friends and family and who knows
where else. Before forwarding this on to all your
contacts, as some message urges you to do, or keep strict confidence as
others do, check the web to see if it is one of the
thousands of hoaxes in existence. A good place which keeps a fairly good
record, and has a good search engine is Snopes
(www.snopes.com). If you can not find it on Snopes, then use Google
(www.google.com) to search for the message is claim. If
the claim is a hoax, hit reply to sender and let them know it is a Hoax,
and where they can find the information.
Bill Gates and General Motors
Bill Gates is hanging out with the chairman of General Motors.
"If automotive technology had kept pace with computer technology over the
past few decades," boasts Gates, "you would now be
driving a V-32 instead of a V-8, and it would have a top speed of 10,000
miles per hour. Or, you could have an economy car
that weighs 30 pounds and gets a thousand miles to a gallon of gas. In
either case, the sticker price of a new car would be
less than $50."
"Sure," says the GM chairman. "But would you really want to drive a car
that crashes four times a day?"
Yes we all receive these cute stories ? but beware there are hidden
dangers in sending these type of messages to all our
friends ? and besides more then likely they have already received it from
someone else. The hidden danger in these messages
lies in the fact that lets say we forward it to 10 people who forward it
to 10 people each and so on ? as a spammer who
receives this message from someone I know, I have just received 10 ? 100
? 1,000 ? valid e-mail accounts I can now sell. The
point is that you can potentially loose control over who has access to
your e-mail account address.
If you post a message on a blog, message board, or create a user profile
(MSN, Yahoo, Blogger.com) if possible mark your
e-mail address private, or better yet do not leave an e-mail address if
possible. Never know if a spammer is sending a
spider through the messages harvesting email addresses. As Mr. Lowe
writes, ?In addition, people often leave their email
addresses in guestbooks, message boards and other online communities
which translate to web pages. Spam harvesters love these
types of pages, as they can get dozens, hundreds or even thousands of
different, valid and usable email addresses quickly and
easily.
How do email harvesters work? Well, some scum spammer will install one of
these programs on his system. He will tell it to
begin scanning, which it will do rapidly and efficiently. In fact, these
generally scan a web site so quickly that the server
cannot do anything in the meantime (most "good" spiders, on the other
hand, limit their visits to one per second, minute or
even hour in order to allow other people and spiders to use the site
while it is being scanned).? (Sins of the Internet:
E-mail Spiders, http://www.theallineed.com/computers/computers-009.htm)
| |
| «BONEHEAD>> 2005-04-06, 2:30 pm |
|
"Frederic" <frederic.l@softhome.net> wrote in message
news:4UkId.36478$P93.1370802@wagner.videotron.net...
> Starting a business requires many more skills than repairing a computer.
It
> also requires selling your service.
> Some can't find a job because they use the same way as too many people.
> If you reach your customer a way that he doesn't expect you have more
chance
> (in that case, your employer)
> fax and email are great tools to directly reach the appropriate managers.
> The trick is to get those information.
One of my first accounts was a barter deal with a chiropracter's office,
(my friend worked for him), I get my back cracked for free, he get's
periodic maintenance for free. Anything like software install or graphic
design he pays me for... You got to know what services to sell to these
types of small businesses.
Periodic maintenance, updating antivirus & spyware removal, monkeySoft
updates... Backups are an easy sell. Websites and graphic design are
another source (gift certificates, brochures, business cards) I also sell
them on embroidery and uniform printing, (my original career)...
I also have a connection to alot of local police officers. Working
cheap for these guys is a definite plus. Not just for a courtesy card, but
cops talk to alot of people everyday, give them some business cards
and they advertise for you.
Most people are afraid (or too lazy) to set up their computers.
this also goes for Home entertainment systems, computer desks,
telephone equipment, fax machines, digital cameras, and printers,
routers and wireless, running CAT 5.
Know how to do these things and make money. I charge $100
to put together $100 computer desk. BTW I hate putting them together
but after a couple of those jobs it's worth it.
Never be afraid to say you don't know how to do something, but
offer to find out how, most people are to lazy to research or do it
themselves. You end up educated and get the reputation of knowing
how to do everything.
My whole thing is being versatile. Hence my company name is Versatech.
Fixing computers as your sole means of income will not pay the bills.
If you don't have the graphics skills, find a partner who does, make an
arrangement.
The other key is to be aware of your limitations, never bite of more than
you can chew, but know who can help you if you get handed something
to big.
I like being my own boss, I can fire myself, negotiate with the boss,
and be back to work the next day...:}
(comes in very handy when you need to knock off 18 holes)...
--
<B0N3H3@D>
"I have no special talent. I am only passionately curious." Albert Einstein
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