Good News and Bad News

[Anoka Computer]

Bad News I lost my job yesterday
Good News I can work on starting my computer business until I find a job
Bad News I have no money to get this going, slight money if possible
Good News I believe I have enough supplies and equipment to get going

What the heck do I do? How can I really get this going, I am going to use some Christmas money I get for some Vinyl lettering across my back window of my SUV to try and get my name out there, I try Craigslist and all I really get is spam junk.
Any ideas and tips would help greatly!

 

[Dameize]

Im in a similar scenario im looking at leaflet drops and whatnot.

 

[phaZed]

I started much the same way. Get a Website up, get it indexed with the Search engines. Make a facebook page for your business, and then put out an announcement to your friends/on the Business FB page. Tweet it. Get on Google Maps. Get a G+ Account for your business.

If you want to do fliers (I was *somewhat* successful with this @ 1000 hand outs)
Check out Vista Print or http://www.conquestgraphics.com (Which was cheaper when I had them made full color.) $98.

Get business cards, hand them out to everyone you meet. Scope out your local Best Buy, yes I have done this, and skim customers from the Geek Squad Counter. I like to talk to people that haven't gotten a quote yet, give them my price, and then let the Geek Squad shock set in... they'll call.

Don't want to pry, but what was your previous profession? I'm an electrician, but there's no work to really speak of ATM.

 

[16k_zx81]

Bad News I lost my job yesterday
Good News I can work on starting my computer business until I find a job
Bad News I have no money to get this going, slight money if possible
Good News I believe I have enough supplies and equipment to get going

What the heck do I do? How can I really get this going, I am going to use some Christmas money I get for some Vinyl lettering across my back window of my SUV to try and get my name out there, I try Craigslist and all I really get is spam junk.
Any ideas and tips would help greatly!

Get a decent website up and running and get it ranking asap. Yes, I know this probably sounds self-serving, as Im in the business of website sales, but, seriously, a well-designed website will be a huge source of new business, and is incredibly cheap in terms of ROI if you do it yourself. Its also relatively quick to get established.

 

[Anoka Computer]

I started much the same way. Get a Website up, get it indexed with the Search engines. Make a facebook page for your business, and then put out an announcement to your friends/on the Business FB page. Tweet it. Get on Google Maps. Get a G+ Account for your business.

If you want to do fliers (I was *somewhat* successful with this @ 1000 hand outs)
Check out Vista Print or -website removed due to url restriction- (Which was cheaper when I had them made full color.) $98.

Get business cards, hand them out to everyone you meet. Scope out your local Best Buy, yes I have done this, and skim customers from the Geek Squad Counter. I like to talk to people that haven't gotten a quote yet, give them my price, and then let the Geek Squad shock set in... they'll call.

Don't want to pry, but what was your previous profession? I'm an electrician, but there's no work to really speak of ATM.

Website: Check
Business Cards: Check
FB Page: Check
I am set up with google analytics, and somewhat on webmaster tools need to find out how to get it to show up more on searches
I am not on google maps or advertise my location because I am doing this out of my house and I have a 2 year old at home, and we are in the basement of my fiances stepdad so its not mine either.
Previously I delivered medical equipment and moved upto Operations Assistant and helped with computer repair
To Do List:
Twitter Account
G+ Account

Thanks for the replies so far

 

[callthatgirl]

Since you're in my direct target market, I won't post all my ancient chinese secrets on how to market the Twin Cities on a zero budget...because that's what I do now

But I can tell you, that the Anoka area has repair shops, but none that are well known other than the big box guys. And Google "Computer Repair Anoka MN" and figure out who is on top there and then you can have some goals, but to be really honest...you are just starting out. I would not focus on your website yet until you have your business set up a bit. I would work on some old fashioned ideas that work, get your cards out hand and foot. Get out and meet people. You have the time right now to go to meetings and do the free stuff, that's only costing you maybe a lunch + gas. There are tons of networking events in the northern suburbs and you can get many done in the next few weeks.

LinkedMinnesota is a large free networking group in LinkedIn, join it and join the northern suburbs group and try to look for some events there. Also, Google, "Networking events Anoka MN", there are meet-ups, chamber events, BNI groups (ugh, but worth going to free 2x), and tons of other local community groups you can hook up with.

Once you get a feel for meeting people, that will help you get your first clients and you can figure out your business after that.

Free works and it worked for moi in my first three years. Still am not paying much! Good luck!

 

[Anoka Computer]

Since you're in my direct target market, I won't post all my ancient chinese secrets on how to market the Twin Cities on a zero budget...because that's what I do now

But I can tell you, that the Anoka area has repair shops, but none that are well known other than the big box guys. And Google "Computer Repair Anoka MN" and figure out who is on top there and then you can have some goals, but to be really honest...you are just starting out. I would not focus on your website yet until you have your business set up a bit. I would work on some old fashioned ideas that work, get your cards out hand and foot. Get out and meet people. You have the time right now to go to meetings and do the free stuff, that's only costing you maybe a lunch + gas. There are tons of networking events in the northern suburbs and you can get many done in the next few weeks.

LinkedMinnesota is a large free networking group in LinkedIn, join it and join the northern suburbs group and try to look for some events there. Also, Google, "Networking events Anoka MN", there are meet-ups, chamber events, BNI groups (ugh, but worth going to free 2x), and tons of other local community groups you can hook up with.

Once you get a feel for meeting people, that will help you get your first clients and you can figure out your business after that.

Free works and it worked for moi in my first three years. Still am not paying much! Good luck!

Good advice on the local business groups and networking, checked out a few and have signed up to a few sites, now to get into the lunches and meetings, dont worry about me stealing your clients I'm trying to keep it local up here

 

[rsarceno]

Anoka,

You got a lot of good advice. Most new business start very slow. So hang in there and don't give up easy. Don't give up on Craigslist. It works but dont depend on it 100% I got two SMB accounts for 1 1/2 yr of advertising. I did get a lot of residential but for me, SMB is where I make most of my income.

While it's slow, start learning other stuff beside Desktop/Laptop service. Most SMB customer like to deal with single company for all there IT needs. If your short on training, consider hiring contractors. Just be careful they don't steal your customer.

Also check into remote support.

Good Luck

 

[Knightsman]

I started out with no money, and I now have gib box contracts, and work on primarily referrals.


Dont spend the money on decals, that can come later.

Business cards from vistapring. I always use them, they are great IMO.

Design a service estime, service invoice, terms and conditions, and a pick up receipt. You will need all of this to look professional. Just having these increased my referrals.

Go to queensboro.com and order your $2.95 shirt...I cant seem to find the link, but I can send an email about it, according to the website, so send me your email in a PM and ill send you the link. I still have mine, and it looks great.

Do you have a logo? If not go to 48hourlogo, spend $100 and get a nice logo.

These are your most important things right now, that you have to get to survive and look professional to customers. Not to mention a whole lot more legit.

Once your making a little bit of money.

Then get your website going, decals on your vehicle, etc.

 

[maclaptech]

Get a decent website up and running and get it ranking asap. Yes, I know this probably sounds self-serving, as Im in the business of website sales, but, seriously, a well-designed website will be a huge source of new business, and is incredibly cheap in terms of ROI if you do it yourself. Its also relatively quick to get established.

I agree with this 100%...

 

[Lefty]

I agree that meeting people should be your first priority. That said, it takes time to rank a website for competitive keywords. So I would allocate some time to learning and working towards SEO of your website while meeting contacts face-to-face.

 

[agh3]

Good Luck!

I wish you the best of luck getting started! I know it's a frightening situation (almost the same for me 7 years ago..i had 2 stable small business clients already so that helped.)

All the above are GREAT ideas. One that I immediately did when starting my business was to get a small mailbox at the UPS Store (or similar services). This gives you a "business" address instead of linking everything to your personal residence (which isn't yours at this point).

The other advantage of this is you can have deliveries there without worrying about missing the driver. You can move and don't have to bother your clients (unless you move out of town/state).

Best of luck!!!!

 

[EpyonTech]

Thats how i started off.... I went around one day to different business places. Browsed for a bit waiting to hear some complaints of computer issues popped up with my card in had asked what there problem may be. Then explained the solution and left. Phone call! chaching lol

 

[ell]

1. get a good website up, 2. set up a free google places listing, 3. get business cards 4. don't forget a new business email address with your signature name in it, then network like crazy!

 

[iisjman07]

Print flyers or business cards and drop them through people's doors. On vistaprint and other places you can get thousands of business cards for few $$s, then ask local shops if you can leave them on counters/in windows/on advertisement boards. If you choose a flyer, you could try adding a 10% off coupon or whatever to try and entice people.