Free classes - best idea ever

[Rocco]

So for the last 3 months, I have been doing free classes once a month at the library. First month was on internet security, computer viruses, malware. Had 30 people attend, sold 16 copies of Kasperky.

Last month, I did one on the importance of switching from XP. Had 36 people attend, 21 of them I did a data transfer for.

Today they wanted me to prepare more information on internet security, so I did. Instead of the brief overview, I went more into detail. 32 people attended, sold another 9 copies of Kaspersky, and 7 subscriptions to Carbonite. (thank you cryptolocker!)

In the survey, they said they want a class on Windows 8 next month. It was what a lot penciled in. Although I finally bought a laptop with 8.1 on it, I have avoided using it like the plague. Now I guess I have to go and buy a book and become an expert at it, LOL. Other than customer relations, I just don't know how to turn a class on Windows 8 into a sales opportunity. I don't want to get into the business of selling computers, sounds like a pain, and no company I have looked at will allow a dealer to work out of their house, LOL. Or am I looking at this the wrong way? Not every class do I have to sell stuff to? In this case, I can give a good overview of how to do things. Maybe a side by side comparison to an older Windows.

Every class so far has been very successful. I have probably done a computer cleaning on 20 of the customers as well. Maybe a freebie course with no selling points would make me look good, LOL.

What do you guys think, and have you attempted to do similar courses?

 

[cstech]

I am actually currently in the process of planning a number of classes that I will be teaching ranging from the basic security to business continuity to windows 8 for home users. I am working with my local chamber and small business center to do a "technology" series that will encompass normal home users through SMB market as well. My local area has a large university and a big number of the population here are students however the "locals" overall are to say the least behind the times. Lets just say I had a customer bring me a windows 95 system just last week. (pulled the hard drive and cloned it hooked it up to a very old linux distro live disk I had and pulled his word perfect files for him and a few really old pictures.) So even convincing them to give up XP is a chore. (I would love to see some of your notes on the XP class you did)

I do sell computers (sort of) I go through D&H as a distributor as well as consult if they want to purchase from newegg or direct from dell or hp or where ever. I usually do some price hunting and spec out a system that would fit their needs. I do work "out of my home" and have stuff shipped directly to me to complete the setup and data transfers and such, then deliver to the customer.

As to selling something with the windows 8 class.... how about windows 8 upgrades, or one on one tutoring for those with new systems and more questions than you are able to answer in the free class. Those are just two ideas then there are always things like using a windows 8 tablet or something with touch screen to show off the touch features of 8. Then have some models picked out to offer if somebody just "has to have it". At the same time I have always felt from attending some of these classes is if they are trying to sell me something the whole time then I automatically don
t want to buy. But if their main goal is to actually teach something and they are offering a solution to a need then im all in. just my thoughts.

 

[callthatgirl]

I'm doing 2 classes in May.

Something about Office 365, free webinar
A class to techs about how to do pop/imap exchange migrations.

Free classes are great for marketing, if you are consistent and it seems you are.

Other classes that you charge for are great, if you can market consistently, but that is hard to do I have found out. That's why when I do the tech classes, I will do a huge blast once or twice and then run it one time. Maybe then see how things pan out. Paid classes are tough, free seems to do well lol

You are doing great, I love reading your posts btw Rocco.

 

[Rocco]

I am actually currently in the process of planning a number of classes that I will be teaching ranging from the basic security to business continuity to windows 8 for home users. I am working with my local chamber and small business center to do a "technology" series that will encompass normal home users through SMB market as well. My local area has a large university and a big number of the population here are students however the "locals" overall are to say the least behind the times. Lets just say I had a customer bring me a windows 95 system just last week. (pulled the hard drive and cloned it hooked it up to a very old linux distro live disk I had and pulled his word perfect files for him and a few really old pictures.) So even convincing them to give up XP is a chore. (I would love to see some of your notes on the XP class you did)

I do sell computers (sort of) I go through D&H as a distributor as well as consult if they want to purchase from newegg or direct from dell or hp or where ever. I usually do some price hunting and spec out a system that would fit their needs. I do work "out of my home" and have stuff shipped directly to me to complete the setup and data transfers and such, then deliver to the customer.

As to selling something with the windows 8 class.... how about windows 8 upgrades, or one on one tutoring for those with new systems and more questions than you are able to answer in the free class. Those are just two ideas then there are always things like using a windows 8 tablet or something with touch screen to show off the touch features of 8. Then have some models picked out to offer if somebody just "has to have it". At the same time I have always felt from attending some of these classes is if they are trying to sell me something the whole time then I automatically don
t want to buy. But if their main goal is to actually teach something and they are offering a solution to a need then im all in. just my thoughts.

LOL, most of my sales pitch is subtle. Such as today, towards the end of the session, I demonstrated downloading 3 viruses, with Kaspersky catching each one. Obviously I tested this at home first, LOL, what a disaster that could have been. Reminds me of Bill Gates demonstrating Windows when it got BSOD on stage. Really, in an hour long course, I only use 5 - 10 minutes of it selling the product or services.

 

[Megaarch]

I think you can still work in your selling points with Windows 8,
Let's run down the list
1) Antivirus (check)
2) Backup (check)
3) Migration (check)
4) Malware ( )

Also if there are a lot of new people each time provide a handout outlining your previous classes.

Other suggestion, I know one thing I hate about Laptop's is using the keyboard and trackpad. As most people will have a laptop with windows 8, show how comfortable using a wireless keyboard and mouse is, maybe you can sell a few.

 

[Rocco]

I'm doing 2 classes in May.

Something about Office 365, free webinar
A class to techs about how to do pop/imap exchange migrations.

Free classes are great for marketing, if you are consistent and it seems you are.

Other classes that you charge for are great, if you can market consistently, but that is hard to do I have found out. That's why when I do the tech classes, I will do a huge blast once or twice and then run it one time. Maybe then see how things pan out. Paid classes are tough, free seems to do well lol

You are doing great, I love reading your posts btw Rocco.

Well, thank you Lisa, I appreciate that.

I don't know if I could charge for a class on anything, not to a large group of people. Wyoming doesn't really have that many people that want to pay to learn. Plus, I would have to find another place to do it, since the library only allows free classes. Since each class has brought in between $500 - $1500 revenue being free, I like this model.

The reason I gave them a survey to find out what they wanted the next class on was because frankly, outside of computer security, I know nothing. I got Microsoft Office 2010 trainer certified back when it came out, but I have never even touched 2013 or office 365. Maybe I will attend your next Webinar, I remember reading it in your newsletter

 

[AdamsAPlus]

I think you can still work in your selling points with Windows 8,
Let's run down the list
1) Antivirus (check)
2) Backup (check)
3) Migration (check)
4) Malware ( )

Also if there are a lot of new people each time provide a handout outlining your previous classes.

Other suggestion, I know one thing I hate about Laptop's is using the keyboard and trackpad. As most people will have a laptop with windows 8, show how comfortable using a wireless keyboard and mouse is, maybe you can sell a few.

I agree. I would thing the biggest selling point is migrating data from an old computer to the new win8 computer. And since it is probably a new computer then do the others also listed above.

I would also talk about Classic Shell or some program like that. People are less scared of Win8 if you put the classic start button back on. Then you can charge them for putting that on and maybe setting up Win8 for them to be easier to navigate around? I don't know play around with different ideas.

 

[callthatgirl]

you are doing it right, you are giving and getting, keep that up! I hope I didn't mean to type out that you need to sell....you're getting more in return with free classes. Good job!

Honestly, the class on Windows 8? ugh...I don't even know what to say there. Basics of Windows button +C or Windows button + W? how to delete 100 apps? what a zoo. how to not use "backup" and use "file history" or my favorite, "how to not do a system restore" or wait...."what to do when your Windows 8 just does a flucko reset and find your old programs and reinstall them"?

Did that today, ugh again!

 

[GCS]

I love this model/idea....

I've been wanting to do some classes for a while and this post really pushed me in the right direction. I've contacted my local library to see what they charge, if anything for time and a projector.

If I can get business owners in there sometime I'd like to do a presentation on Google Apps for Enterprise.

 

[Rocco]

I agree. I would thing the biggest selling point is migrating data from an old computer to the new win8 computer. And since it is probably a new computer then do the others also listed above.

I would also talk about Classic Shell or some program like that. People are less scared of Win8 if you put the classic start button back on. Then you can charge them for putting that on and maybe setting up Win8 for them to be easier to navigate around? I don't know play around with different ideas.

See this is the type of stuff I need to learn! I have had my machine for a few months now, it has been turned on for maybe 2 hours total. I did go and buy a for dummies book and will be studying that this weekend. Hopefully a month is long enough to become knowledgeable enough about Windows 8 without sounding like I am faking my enthusiasm for this @#$ software.

 

[SOHOtechRob]

Had 30 people attend, sold 16 copies of Kasperky.
32 people attended, sold another 9 copies of Kaspersky, and 7 subscriptions to Carbonite.

This sounds great both for you and your new customers! I'll definitely think about this as a way to generate new leads. Can you share any of your material/documentation? How did you present, laptop connected to projector?

Question, since I just signed up to be a reseller for Carbonite and Kaspersky: do you pre-buy blocks of a handful of licenses (at your own cost) for each of these products and then bill the customers for them when you install, or do buy the licenses on demand and then assign the keys to the customer and install for them?

 

[Rocco]

I love this model/idea....

I've been wanting to do some classes for a while and this post really pushed me in the right direction. I've contacted my local library to see what they charge, if anything for time and a projector.

If I can get business owners in there sometime I'd like to do a presentation on Google Apps for Enterprise.

Glad I could help encourage it. If your focus is businesses, then I wouldn't do a free class at the library. I would contact your local chamber or similar places and see if you can offer a free course to their business contacts. Honestly, before I started teaching at the library, I never cared what classes were offered there. Most businesses don't pay attention to it. However, if it is offered by their organization, they are more apt to attend.

Here in Cheyenne, there is more competition for business with computers than residential. I know that means there is more money there, but I like my niche. 75% of my customers I have received from my classes are 60+. From my other advertising, I have mostly 30-50 age.

 

[Rocco]

This sounds great both for you and your new customers! I'll definitely think about this as a way to generate new leads. Can you share any of your material/documentation?

Question, since I just signed up to be a reseller for Carbonite and Kaspersky: do you pre-buy blocks of a handful of licenses (at your own cost) for each of these products and then bill the customers for them when you install, or do buy the licenses on demand and then assign the keys to the customer and install for them?

Kaspersky, I prebought 25 for my first class, so had a few left over, so bought another 20. With Carbonite, I was doing a buy as you go model until last week when they offered an additional 31% off my normal buying rate. So I bought 10 personal, and 30 personal plus. I then advertised in the paper and Facebook for 10% off normal price until Monday. Sold over half my supply in that week, and have another year to sell the rest.

I upsell Carbonite and Kaspersky with every computer cleaning and virus removal. Honestly, Cryptolocker has helped increase my sales of Carbonite, since I am able to talk about how it affects external hard drives as well. I probably have a 15% upsell rate for the last month.

I install Kaspersky for them for the cost of the software. Carbonite is so easy, I have been able to go back home, assign them a key, call them up, and say click that link. Create profile. Hit that green button. You are done, it can take 1-5 days to upload all your files, so please don't turn off your computer. You won't even know it's there unless you open up your directory and watch the orange dot turn green.

 

[acscva]

Thanks for the tips. I have been in communications with a friend that has offered me to do training's like this and thinking of taking him up on the offer.

I use to do trainings like this for the senior centers in NY when I had a retail store....but trying to focus more on the business customers so will gear it towards them better.

 

[BrentfromZulu]

See this is the type of stuff I need to learn! I have had my machine for a few months now, it has been turned on for maybe 2 hours total. I did go and buy a for dummies book and will be studying that this weekend. Hopefully a month is long enough to become knowledgeable enough about Windows 8 without sounding like I am faking my enthusiasm for this @#$ software.

I feel like you would HAVE to bring up a start menu replacement in there.

 

[MikeLierman]

Kaspersky, I prebought 25 for my first class, so had a few left over, so bought another 20.
...
I install Kaspersky for them for the cost of the software.

Are you completing the transaction inside the library? Or are you handing out your business card and telling them to come by the shop and you'll install it? For Kaspersky are you selling them a physical DVD or did you just buy license key blocks? Reason I ask is I don't think the library here in town will let people conduct business transactions inside.

 

[Coastalbendcomputers]

Thanks for the post this has motivated me to contact our local library. I totally forgot people still go to those places.

 

[PCX]

I install Kaspersky for them for the cost of the software. Carbonite is so easy, I have been able to go back home, assign them a key, call them up, and say click that link. Create profile. Hit that green button. You are done, it can take 1-5 days to upload all your files, so please don't turn off your computer. You won't even know it's there unless you open up your directory and watch the orange dot turn green.

Thanks for posting this! We have tried to do this in the past, but have always been too busy to follow thru. We will definitely be looking at doing this again soon.

Also, on the note of Kaspersky, I wanted to suggest that you charge for installing the program on top of what they would pay retail for the software. For instance, we charge $15 (on top of the retail price of the software) for removing the old AV, installing the new and we offer troubleshooting support for Kaspersky the life of the product. So, basically for every 50 boxes we sell, we make an extra $750. And in case you are wondering, we rarely ever have to troubleshoot any issues with Kaspersky.

 

[minc3d]

I've been running local classes and recording them for years now locally:

https://www.youtube.com/user/firelogictech

And I wrote about this topic on TN as well:

http://www.technibble.com/how-to-gain-computer-repair-customers-through-volunteer-work/

Glad to see people are seeing the same results as we do.

Plus, I get a ton of commercial clients who see my recordings and call us for business work. Office 365 migrations, SharePoint work, etc etc. All good stuff.

 

[AdamsAPlus]

I've been running local classes and recording them for years now locally:

https://www.youtube.com/user/firelogictech

And I wrote about this topic on TN as well:

http://www.technibble.com/how-to-gain-computer-repair-customers-through-volunteer-work/

Glad to see people are seeing the same results as we do.

Plus, I get a ton of commercial clients who see my recordings and call us for business work. Office 365 migrations, SharePoint work, etc etc. All good stuff.

I just subscribed to your page. I saw a lot of good topics to cover. I hope you don't mind if I copy some of your ideas for the classes I teach. I sometimes struggle for what topics I want to cover.

Another good topic that I cover is Parental Controls. Parents and Grand Parents love this topic. Then I normally book appointments to put OpenDNS on their routers and set up their computers, tablets and cell phones with parental controls.