Question

Topic: Advertising/PR

Urgent Help Needed (marketing Newbie)

Posted by Anonymous on 1/20/2007 at 2:53 PM ET 250 Points
I started a computer consulting/web design business in august... all my capital (loans from family) is now gone and I don't know how to effectively market myself to get results quickly... can any one help? please...

P.S. I am not looking for a mirical to get rich... I just want to be able to pay my bills (approx $3500 per month)

Thank you greatly in advance
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RESPONSES

  • Posted by CarolBlaha on 1/20/2007 at 3:04 PM Member
    Do you have any clients? the quickest way to bring business in the door is expand the business you get from existing clients-- and referrals from happy clients.

    Do you offer monthly maintenance for those you do web design for? That would help you to build a monthly residual.

    What is the profile of your existing clients? The next way is to repeat those successes. How did you get those clients and what businesses are similar.

    Build on your successes.

    Hope that helps, Carol
    Sell Well and Prosper tm
  • Posted by telemoxie on 1/20/2007 at 3:14 PM Member
    Thanks for visiting our forum. More info, please. For example:

    Where are you located? (Country, city)
    What kind of computer services do you provide?
    Do you have a web site?
    Have you done any billable work web? Can we see it?
    What have you tried to market yourself so far?
    - are you marketing direct to consumers, or indirectly?
    - have you offered any sort of "starter" or "trial" package?
    Do you have happy customers?
    Do you have a "coach"? Do you need one?
    Part of selling is generating leads, part is closing deals.
    - which is the bigger challenge for you?
    Do you have the option to get a job, and start this part-time?
    How busy are you right now?
    Do you have any special qualifications or certifications?

    etc. etc. etc. The more details you can provide, the more helpful we can be. Thanks.
  • Posted by telemoxie on 1/20/2007 at 3:52 PM Accepted
    Thanks for the info. This will help us be more specific in our suggestions.

    In the meanwhile, while you wait for others to chip in, you might want to check out these previous threads regarding marketing for on-site computer support firms:

    https://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/qst_question.asp?qstID=15917
    https://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/qst_question.asp?qstID=15072
    https://www.marketingprofs.com/ea/qst_question.asp?qstID=2122

    There is a wealth of knowledge in our past questions: I quickly found those references with the following Google search:

    +"computer support" site:www.marketingprofs.com/ea

    Naturally you can change the initial string and find prior discussions on a range of topics. Good luck.
  • Posted on 1/21/2007 at 12:29 AM Accepted
    Just a simple, direct suggestion.

    YOU are the product. But, what do your prospects need? There are probably 10,000 businesses from Milwaukee to Peewaukee that could use you, but they don't KNOW you.

    Since you can't afford to query "suspects," why not try to define their needs yourself. You will likely be better at this than me, but try these as a model:

    Prospect:
    "I know nothing about the www and I'm afreaid of computers."

    OK, what can YOU put in front of him/her that will assuage those fears and let YOU be seen as the needed solution?

    Suggestion: A color postcard with a photo of YOU, a catchy, comforting, motivating headline, and copy that presents your VERY impressive credentials and suggests that YOU can make it easy for them to be online in NO TIME!

    You have a lot going for you! I've been on my own since 1984 and I know how tough it can seem when the wolf starts howling outside your door! My advice is to invite him in, make him a pet, and tell him he'll only get fed if he licks stamps!

    You can buy 5,000 color postcards very cheap and put your copy on the other side. A postcard mails for a lot less than a first class letter! You can compile your own mailing list from the phone directory (I know, I've done it!)

    Lady, you have too much going for you, and you are THE PRODUCT! Forget about doing analyses, spend your few bucks on selling your prospects on how EASY you will make it for them to GET ONLINE and prosper!

    I know you can do it...I know that I've done it!

    Go, girl!

    All the best,
    George
  • Posted by Alireza Mojahedi on 1/21/2007 at 2:27 PM Member
    Hi

    What is your core competency?
    Why costumers must select you for their needs?
    If you can give a answer to this questions it means you know about your market
    after that you need to promote your abilities to the costumers without advertising costs. Start from your friends and any costumers around you that may need to your services

    After that and after you get money you can start to marketing for distance costumers

    Regards
    Alireza
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