Im looking at starting a small business (if thats what you call it), in my area, all it is, is im planning on posting flyers around peoples houses where i live basically selling my computer knowledge. im offering a service to repair peoples computers for them, because the most common problems people have is a slow computer or a virus, does anyone have any ideas how i can make this work. I want people to trust me in a way that they will pay for me to fix their computer, im also looking at offereing training in MS software such as word, excel, access, publisher etc does anyone have any tips/good pointers as to how i can set about making work properly, ive only had this idea for a day or two so as you can see i havnt really thought deeply enough into it. hope to hear your opinions thanks
Craigslist is a good start but you're likely to find a lot of competition. I would say that one of the best ways to get your name out into your community, is to hold free training sessions. A lot of time you can arrange these through your chamber of commerce (I'm assuming you have these in the UK --ignorant americans we are), or other community organization. Obviously you don't want to teach exactly what you sell, but it's a good way to get noticed.
cool ill check out craigslist, ive never heard of chamber of commerce lol, thats a good idea, i think ill give that a try
You shouldn't go to craiglist because of all the competition. I suggest you use drop cars, fliers, or even lawn signs next to major highways!
I'd visit all your local grocery stores, barber shops, beauty salons, malls, telephone booths, pubs, and every where else you can drop ads and flyers. Some people go as far as visiting their local mega-mall and papering all the cars in the lot. I once saw a YouTube video where mall security was chasing those people around the mall lot. It can be worth it, but watch out for the mall rent-a-cops!
If Geek Squad is already situated in your town you won't really stand a chance. Only because customers buy from Best Buy and the warranty only works through THEIR PC repair service which is Geek Squad. You will probably have better luck selling how-to/training material then pc repair. Consider writing an e-book on one of the Microsoft apps you mentioned. Or use something like CamTasia and record a video. Maybe use combinations of this stuff. Open a membership site and update the content?? All great ideas really.
Not every one has a warranty though. I think he still stands a good chance. A lot of people buy second-hand computers through yard sales and such. I think if he also places a few newspaper ads he'd get a nice business going.
Yes but Geek Squad's warranty does not cover your computer needing a backup, virus removals or general computer running slow. So if you focus on these types of setups you will do well. Focus on wireless setups and networking also. Places like best Buy charge up to 250$ for a networking job that you could do in less than 30 minutes for 75-100$ which they cant compete with.
Craigslist would be a good one(when I offered that service myself, thats what I used), also try to buy some small ads in like newspapers and community newsletters.
Create a short videos and upload it to youtube. The video about how fast you can fix the problem computer within seconds. Spread the video to your local citizen by email.