Working out of home now....

[xxsilk109xx]

As I have said in another post, I have closed my retail postal store and am now solely working on computers, as that seems to be the only thing making me money at the moment. However, the rent and space of my postal store is WAY to big for a computer repair shop, think 1500 SF and $3100 rent. So I am going to work out of my home for at least 6 months. I have got some great advice on how to set up the technical part of it, now I would like to ask some questions about the advertising/logistics side of it.

1. What is the best way to advertise this? I am getting some business cards made, and while I have my nice expensive copier here, I am going to print as many flyers as I can. Should I join the local Chamber of Commerce?

2. What do you do about picking up/dropping off computers. Do you have people come to your house? If you are working out of your house do you charge for pickup and delivery? Do you have certain times of the day that you pick up computers? I just cant see getting anything done if people are calling and I am stopping what I am doing to go and pick up their computer from their house/business. I also dont want every Tom Dick and Harry knowing where I live and that I work on or have on hand a bunch of computers at a time.

3. How long did it take you to get going and get yourself established? Right now I dont advertise at all, except for a sign on my window that says computer repair. I am worried that I dont know what to do in order to get and stay busy without a storefront at first. I have about 2 months of reserves in money so I want to get this going ASAP.

I know I am forgetting something and I may add to this later, but I REALLY appreciate the input! Any details someone who has been here can give would be greatly appreciated.

 

[vdub12]

Heres a post I did yesterday on this subject.

http://www.technibble.com/forums/showpost.php?p=121279&postcount=3

Its not exactly what you asked but hope it helps.

In regards to pick up and delivery I personally do it as a service for customers that do business with me. However, other people handle this differently.

Here is a link to the whole tread if you want to read through it.
http://www.technibble.com/forums/showthread.php?t=15417

 

[trapped]

I also work out of my home and have been doing this as my full time job since I got laid off about 18 months ago.

I would say it took probably 4 months or so to get where I was working every day. I still am not making what I did before I got laid off, but it is paying most of the bills.

I think the two main things that helped grow my business was Google AdWords and BNI. I'm getting to the point where I get 1-2 repeat or referral customers per day plus 1-2 through AdWords and a usually a couple more through general web searches and vehicle advertising.

Lately I have been getting more people that will drop their systems off than I get onsite or pickup work. So far I have not had a single problem with people coming to my home. You may also need to check the regulations in your city/county. In my case I am limited to one customer at a time and up to 8 per day.

 

[hardtoremember]

I wouldn't post a sign in my home window for two reasons...
1. I don't want people I don't know inside of my home.
2. City ordinance does not allow me to do this.

Make sure you have a website with a phone number and email address. Get car magnets is a fairly inexpensive way of making your car into an advertising tool. Use your logo with your website and phone number very clear and prominent.

What kind of advertisements do you run into? Do you look in the phone book, use Google or read the paper often? Let everyone know what you do. When you have the opportunity tell people and hand them a card.

That's all I got.

 

[xxsilk109xx]

I am not planning on putting any signage up in my house at all, mainly because I dont think the neighborhood would like the idea..

 

[Hercomputers]

I work full-time and handle my computer repair business some evenings and weekends. I feel a person out over the phone before I decide to invite them in my home. I actually had a couple with a desktop (I had a thread on it yesterday) that I invited in but only for a few minutes because the wife was a smoker and I did NOT want the smell in my house and around my dog.

You can set up 'ground rules' for yourself and since you mentioned that you're solely working from home, set up a time window that you will allow customers in your home (3-4 window) for pc dropoff/pick up and at least 1-2 at a time. Of course if things get busier for you, you may want to think about adjusting your window and getting an assistant to help you. While you handle the actual computer repair work, they could handle the cutomers for you.

I'm currently advertising on Craigslist, local newspaper, business cards, teeshirts and a sign on my truck. It takes time but it's definitely worth it!

Stay positive and before you know it, you'll have to get an assistant before you know it!

 

[dnt810]

Just an FYI... I don't know the specifics of your location, but if you're working out of your house and feel that you need a 'business address' I would consider renting a post office box and use that.

That way, once you get some trusted customers you can bill them and let them mail you your payment, but you don't need to give out or advertise your home address.

For myself, I have some space issues and two young children at home. Does anyone have experience with working around young children? how do you keep them out of your client's computer equipment??

Thanks,
-Don T.

 

[maclaptech]

I work out of home too. I usually have pick up their computer at a public location close to where I live or deliver it back to them for $25.00.

Right now business is painfully slow. I advertise on Adword.

Computer and laptop repair in Dallas and North Dallas

 

[vdub12]

For myself, I have some space issues and two young children at home. Does anyone have experience with working around young children? how do you keep them out of your client's computer equipment??

Tell them no!

 

[trapped]

I have a 3 and 5 year old, but they understand that they can only use "daddy's computers" not the "customer's computers". They have been appointed my co-chief marketing officers. They rush to see who can give a new customer a card first. Overall I think people get a kick out of it and like doing business with a family oriented company. I think the kids are also learning that you have to work for your money.

 

[callthatgirl]

I had 9 mos of meeting clients at coffee shops and "near my house"...couldn't deal anymore. I got an office and the business grew that next month. I don't know what other folks are doing, but working out of my house did not work for me at all. I think there is something about having a real office, not out of the home that adds a sense of credibility in a larger city. I can't speak for folks that live in small towns. I live in a metropolitan area.

My 2nd location I am opening now in June, will not be out of my house, even though it should be...but it can't be. My competition has offices, so I will as well...and I don't want anyone coming to my house at 10:00 pm.

weird I know, but not my thing.

 

[Screwloose]

I work out of my house but like others this is a side job that I do not depend on for my main source of income so I rarely let anyone come to my house. They either meet me in the parking lot at work ( usually these are folks who work where I do ) or I pick up from their house. So far in the last 3 years I have had two people come to my house.... plus they only got as far as the garage since my shop is my garage.

 

[SThompson86]

In regards to your 1# question I am in the same situation, and looking to read some of the responses.

In regards to people coming to your house -

I work out of my house also, and no people do not come to my house for anything. I try and do all pickups. Nonetheless, I some times use my full time jobs office as a cloak. I work in a building that is pretty much a landmark around here, so if some one wants to drop a PC off with between 8-5PM I let them know my "office" is at this "landmark" building. I also let them know that I work on PC's on the side, and that I work as a computer tech here at my full time job.

If I did not work anywhere else and residential PC repair was my only gig and I was operating out of my house - still nobody would come to my house. In my opinion that is kind of wierd.

 

[NeutronTech]

I am in the process of a divorce and have a 3, 5, and 6 year old. I don't do any work from home other than office/paperwork. All repairs are done onsite as of right now. When I have appointments I take the boys to their grandparent's house and pick them up again when I finish running my calls. Since it's just me running this, I can't justify having an external office since I wouldn't be able to be there all the time.

 

[hardtoremember]

I would love to have an office. In my current situation that's just not a possibility but I will make it one within the next year though! The plus to working out of the house is the overhead... It's zero. Also I can hang out with my dogs!
Other than that I would really like to have a store front that people can see. It may be nice for busy customers to be able to bring the computer by at their convenience too.

 

[vdub12]

I like working out of my home personally. When its slow I just work on other things. It would be nice to have a store front though. Chances are if I had a store front I would have to many display systems with CCFL lights in them.

 

[krash2k]

I too work out of my home office and have done so for a while now. It works well for me and keeps costs down so I can't complain. We advertise by fliers, a yellowpage ad, and lots of word of mouth. Any form of advertising that goes to the mass public ie yellowpages, fliers, etc does not include the home office address. Our business cards however do have my home office address.

I make it a habit to let all of my customers know that I do work out of a home office and my family and I live there. I let them know upfront that no one is allowed into my home due to insurance reasons. Anyone of my customers that have dropped off or picked up a computer understand and respect my wishes.

If I am on the road doing onsite work and a customer calls saying they can only drop off a system at a specific time then my wife will meet them at the front door. I have a small table outside my front door where a customer can put their computer and my wife or I can fill out paperwork. After the customer leaves the wife or I will bring the system inside to the work bench.

Chamber of Commerce - This was a very wise investment for our company. The income I have gotten just from this one group so far this year will pay for my membership dues for at least the next three years. Each Chamber is different than the next but the core ideas are all usually the same. Your going to have to do some homework on yours and see if you think its a wise investment.

Just my .02 cents. I hope it helps and good luck with the adventure!