Starting up!

[SavellM]

OK so I know is a really bad time to be starting my own thing, but I have to anyway.
I was recently dropped to 3 days a week as my current company cannot afford me or alot of people anymore.

I have been doing IT all my life and so decided to try on my own, but with the support financially of the 3 days working where I currently am, so im not in the dark all on my own.

Now I started 3 weeks ago, been running an advert in the local Henley Standard newspaper for 3 weeks, but nada not had any calls or anything.
I have been leafletting too, and trying anything online, but absolutely nothing!

Now what im trying to ask is, what is the best form of advertising, and what would and where would you advertise or how would you promote your business?

Im in the UK for reference in the Oxfordshire, and Berkshire areas.

 

[cmonova]

Not being familiar it with your area in the UK it is hard to say. But, if you are doing the flyers etc I would just continue what you are doing. Nothing is going to turn customers quickly. It's all about doing it over and over again and finding out what works. I would not get discouraged..Looked at your website,,very sharp.

 

[manderso]

I second the above comment! The web site is very smooth.

 

[seedubya]

Yeah, really nice site. I looked at the one on your site for Carroll Cleaning - it was really nice too.

As for what works? That's a killer. It's a combination of targeting, medium, design and persistence. Probably the most profitable ad I run, in absolute terms, is a 4 line, plain text classified ad in my local weekly paper (not free). It costs me about €13 per week and brings in at least 20 times that in business.

EDIT: Here's the rub. I've have in the past moved to a larger, more noticeable ad in the same section, costing me 4 times as much. I got less business barely paying for the ad. Moved back to the plain classified and Bingo! business came back again. I also do leaflets, direct mail and walk-ins to business. I hate the walk-ins so I limit them to a max of ten a day for a week. I literally call door to door to businesses only. I don't sell anything. It's usually "Hi, I'm just dropping off this leaflet. Could you make sure the person in charge of computers and IT gets it please?" No one ever says no, often a conversation will start. I also try to make sure the doorkeeper gets either a packet of apple drops with my contact details on them or a packet of microwave popcorn with the same. I usually do this until I get one or two new customers - usually 4-5 days of 5 calls per day.

 

[angry_geek]

See if there are any business networking groups in your area (not the chamber of commerce, if you have that there). I joined one when I first started out, and, since then, 90% of my business has come from word of mouth from those groups. This is a pretty cheap and effective way to get started.

 

[seedubya]

@angry_geek - yeah agree with that very much. I'm a former member of BNI and got loads of business through it. I ended up leaving over something silly and now I regret it. It was the handiest business I ever got.

 

[Techiant]

I would throw together a website and concentrate on optimizing it for your locality. You will be surprised how may people will find you searching for "computer repair in YOUR TOWN NAME", or "tech support YOUR TOWN NAME".

If you provide good content the clients will come.

 

[supertech365]

i had a tremendous response to getting out in the public and handing out flyers with a business card attached. I found one spot and stood there in a busy area for two to three hours at a time. i would then change areas often. i dressed well and i talked clear and added some humor. No one likes to do it especially because its not guaranteed, but i got a chance to be up close with people and sell my services. They would ask specific questions and i would give advice... but only enough to ensure a call. I think being seen in public and let them see you is one key to new business. If you are busy, go have lunch at a public area when you have the chance. Put a face to your website and adverts.

 

[SavellM]

Wow thanks for all the responses!

I have taken everything you guys have said onboard, and will slowly go through them and see what works.
I will also change my ad to a linage age, as its costing so far.

Im gonna start knocking on the doors when I leaflet to residentials too and just say im droping off this flyer for a new computer repair service here is a leaflet with a discount! Something simple and quick.

Standing in town handing them out is also a great idea, never thought of that.

And sending gifts to businesses is great also gonna steal a little bit of everyone.
Thanks for all the advice and support.

Thanks for the comments on the site too

 

[seedubya]

@ SavellM - check your PMs

 

[SavellM]

Sorry, just saw and replied.

 

[edgepcs]

Nice stuff guys. Some things here I might pinch myself
The public handout sounds good and I know the perfect spot!

Good luck savellm!!