Ah... if you had NO overhead....

[nibblesandbits]

Okay, so this is a theoretical question:

If you had no overhead as far as printing and renting in town go... how would you change the way you run your business? Where would you allot the money you'd be saving?

 

[nibblesandbits]

Me, personally? I would spend it on advertising, and once that is taken care of, I would pay myself a pay check.

I've been reading a lot of posts today (as you can see by everything being replied to by me) and I saw somewhere someone doesn't think advertising is worth anything it's just a black hole. I live in a very small place so I think it'd be worth it to advertise in the local papers a little bit.

I'm just trying to get business to pick up because it's getting to the point I'm desperately in need of some money to pay bills. I hate the thought of having to flip burgers or work at Wal*Mart. Just not my idea of a fun job, and would definitely be a waste of my talent and skills.

I actually have an idea I don't think many people have tried before. Since we don't have a "tangible product" per se, I'm thinking about making up a packet of all my services on a sheet of paper, enclosing it, my brochure, and 3 business cards. I print my own materials so my only cost is ink and the paper itself. After I have these packets made up. I'm thinking about going to businesses and 'making my service tangible' by offering to speed up and remove any viruses their current technician may have missed (I'm trying to figure out to word this as to not come off as an ashole). I think once they see me run Defraggler and see all the red and I explain to them what defragmenting does (when you DON'T just use Windows Defragmenter which is junk) and they see the viruses I'm sure I'll get off with MalwareBytes then they'll probably have me come back regularly.

Seems like the perfect intro into a service contract as well.

Alright guys. Disect what I just came up with and tell me how to MAKE it work from your experience.

 

[Blues]

Certain types of marketing do not work in certain types of areas so it can be a black hole. I too would go the increased advertising and then the fatter personal paycheck becuase Im not in this game to be poor.

 

[14049752]

Assuming that advertising it's being counted in the overhead (because you should always be advertising somewhere)... I'd probably save it up for a while, then start doing paychecks.

I like to have lots of padding in the bank accounts, in case the really tough times come. Right now, we have enough business funds to stay afloat for months, if we go completely dry....and in my personal accounts I have enough for a little longer.

Assuming you're good in that department, and want to reinvest in your business, think about what services you're not offering and what you'd need to do so.

 

[K007]

I know it sounds crazy, but just read me out.

Estabilished companies small but not too small, are looking for the long term good deal, and if possible with no ties (loose contract clauses) or small fee contract termination, or even no fees.
In my opinion there are 3 areas you can improve:


1. put up a package and make it verry attractive
2. give them the chance to "try you out" before they sign their life away.
3 impress them by any means necessary, from physical appearance as individual and website design to the latest technology that you can afford to use to achieve your goal (your goal is the best service around since sliced bread)

Borrow some money but not from banks, but your firends or relatives.

Ask for all the help you can get from your relatives (double-check everyting somebody else does, do not ever give a task to a less qualified person and not check the quality)

You may loose some sleep, spend some money that would otherwise pay the bills, but once you catch the train, is like when you finished school and got your first job(you already have something to put on your CV).

I have probably got carried away.
Anyhow, you get my point.

Edit:
Ah, forgot the MOST IMPORTANT SALESMAN TRICK: LOOK SUCCESSFUL !!!!

 

[ITG Tech]

Like ACG, if my overhead was lower, I too might be able to bring home a paycheck. Right now the income from my work is only covering my expenses. I want to increase my advertising and have not found the best media that will work for me yet. At this time my best advertising has been satisfied clients that pass my name to their associates and friends.

 

[ProTech Support]

I've been reading a lot of posts today (as you can see by everything being replied to by me) and I saw somewhere someone doesn't think advertising is worth anything it's just a black hole.

I was the one who said advertising has been a blackhole. I was not referring to advertising in general, just how advertising has been lately. It just seems with the way the economy is, it doesn't matter what you do - people just can't afford to spend.