Sudden dip in customers

[cypress]

Use the quiet times to catch up on stuff. Perhaps cleaning up the workshop, installing new shelving, whatever. Think in terms of new ways of getting the name out there, maybe mail drops, networking. Try to stay productive during the quiet times. I've been learning Wordpress, installed a linux kiosk on a spare machine, updated the tools, wsus offline, latest win10 images, sdi etc.

Thanks for the reminder lol.

 

[Matthew Bradley]

The first time this happened to us I just assumed that we'd fixed everything there was to be fixed. A good feeling.

One thing to watch out for during the slow times is that you might be tempted to accept work that's outside your usual scope, or to take on low-value jobs that you normally wouldn't touch with a barge-pole. The nicest way to avoid this is to put your phone on voicemail and get out of the office for a couple of days - spend time with your children, visit your parents, walk on a beach, read a book. You're allowed to check voicemail once a day but not to book anyone in immediately unless it's a genuine life-or-death money-no-object emergency. After two days you might or might not have a pile of new work waiting for you, but you'll be less worried and eager to get back into the fray.

This too shall pass.

This is excellent advice.

 

[sapphirescales]

Once you get a large enough customer base, you don't get slow times anymore. We haven't had a dip in customers for like 6 years now. We have the odd crazy busy days/weeks, but never are we just sitting there scratching our heads thinking "what happened?"

 

[thecomputerguy]

I've been in this industry for about 14 years and the last 4 of them I have been self employed. What I have learned is to learn to value times like this. The first year or two I'd freak out, just like you, sit around all day waiting for the phone to ring, handle admin work. Then at the end of the day I'd realized had I not done anything of financial significance, and I'd not done anything to improve myself, or make myself happier on a personal level.

So learn to enjoy it. Now when I am slow I go out and play some golf. If someone needs something they can wait until the next day when I can bunch some work together with other straggling jobs. I don't plan to work the entire day if I only have one job, I try to lump them together. If it's an emergency then I finish my round of golf and call them when I'm done and I usually can fix it remotely most of the time. If they can't wait an hour or two for me to become available then I don't want em.

 

[ComputerRepairTech]

Interesting.
Have not seen it mentioned here before.
Are you using it?

I am not currently using it, I use to but I moved to an inferior product that was a one time purchase (I dont like monthly charges). I havent looked at it in a while but I think its called userTrack and i got it from code canyon.

 

[ChrisTech]

What I have learned is to learn to value times like this. The first year or two I'd freak out, just like you, sit around all day waiting for the phone to ring, handle admin work. Then at the end of the day I'd realized had I not done anything of financial significance, and I'd not done anything to improve myself, or make myself happier on a personal level.

So learn to enjoy it.

Very true. Give yourself the chance to catch up on that website tweaking/accounts update/paperwork/workshop tidy up....and everything else that we all put to one side when appointments rule our lives.

 

[Daniel Peterson]

Don't worry to much, there are going to be down times. Use the time wisely and develop strategies to help smooth them out. I will often run a small discount during the summer when I am historically slow to bring in business.

 

[computertech775]

I've used the slowdown in the past few weeks to promote the benefits of Solid State Drives, and doing a few HDD replacements per week and charging a 2.5 hour flat rate. That's making up a bit for the slowdown of 1 hour jobs. I've also started to warn my clients using Windows Vista of Microsoft's end-of-life of the OS next April, and recommending the purchase of a new computer.

 

[Curtis Skowlund]

One thing we do is put out a $15 off Tune-up Coupon to see if we can bring in some more business. We try not to cut the costs to much as it undercuts ourselves but Does seams to work

 

[callthatgirl]

I think I'm in a slow period right now, but it's hard for me to tell. I raised my prices last month to $169 an hour. I also don't have tech support anymore, so it's just me. I am trying to figure out if I'm in a slow period or if this is just how it's going to be moving ahead, until I up my marketing. Thing is...with no tech support and my raised rates, I still did 80 jobs last month including prepay and 41 new billable jobs. I figured out that I made an extra $1100 from raising my rates and I'm up $2400 from last year based on my own billables (not including tech support) I think I feel slower because I don't have the added on communications with the tech support or doing tech support going on. Still figuring out the new life here, so I will be feeling the ups and down and dips no doubt!

 

[cypress]

Starting to slow down here for me. Haven't had a job in almost two weeks now. This has given me time to market my MSP that I launched in a newsletter to all my clients. Reached a lot of clients I haven't heard from in awhile. Got a couple calls on some that are waiting for some income on their business and they will need some consultation and asked about my Maintenance Plans.

I also got rid of a client, they were becoming a headache.

I hate slow periods though. I much rather be on job sites talking to clients and getting work done. The money aspect isn't bad either lol

 

[vickie thivierge]

Consumer business seems to follow what's going on with the Schools... in my market that is. Right now school is ending, and we have graduations coming up, so its time to sell laptops to kids who are going on to college....I sold 3 this this week.

During the holidays, Christmas and New Years when the kids are out of school.....sales drop off due to people spending money on holiday gifts however I see an increase towards the end of January due to patients bringing in broken tables and laptops....and especially the Tablets. .

Then another drop in August and September when the kids start school again.

 

[Drod]

This is all good information. Im a newbie myself so it is good to know

 

[Adept PC Repair]

Dropped off here too, I've been going 6 years and haven't had to advertise since I can remember, probably around 2 years.

I'm completely dead as of last week, no calls at all other than existing appointments being confirmed.

My last booking I'm doing tomorrow, then I literally have no work at all.

 

[fencepost]

It was a bit slow for a couple weeks recently, but this past week started to ramp back up pretty nicely ending up with me rescheduling some things to Monday (as I told one person, "I'm not going to be able to make it to your office before you leave, my 2-hour morning stop has turned into a 7+ hour ordeal") but I can run with that. Always nice to get billable hours, and I'm going to be back there (and at a couple other places in that area) again on Monday.

 

[Colin]

Here in Canada taxes have to be completed by the end of April so I find the whole month of April tends to be a bit slow. Then it slows down again for the summer and again around Christmas. Lately I've been holding Giveaway Contests on my Facebook Page to help draw in new clients and so far it's helped but not as much as I was hoping.

I find that Tax time here in Alberta is a good month! seems that people get money back and come in for that upgrade or new PC. Then next few months are a bit slower due to weather.

Side Question ... Scott where did you get your open sign on the bottom of your site? Thats really slick!

 

[Canadian Tech]

Side Question ... Scott where did you get your open sign on the bottom of your site? Thats really slick!

Thanks, I thought it was slick too. I got it at onlineopensign.com