Besides using PPC, SEO, and Social Media, how do I market my I.T. services to the general public? While knowing very little about Craigslist classified ads, how to I market my online tech support services to a non-local market on the Internet?
My potential customers are Internet-savvy, but PC and Mac users who do not have the ability to resolve or troubleshoot their own technical issues. My potential customers are not local, but mostly, located nationwide. I want to focus my marketing efforts in acquiring clientele from several different regions, not just my local one. I hear Craigslist is good for that, but I'm worried about the limits of advertising there. Surely there must be a way around the user account limitations. Does anyone know of any?
I don't know how to game CL.... but using telemarketing is very effective for IT related offers. You might also want to look into joint venturing with another merchant that offers a complimentary product and offering both products as some sort of package. Think Windows coming with Explorer. Dumno, maybe a small biz provider of CPUs? Of course, the JV route will be tougher since your focusing on a national push.
What about offering a tech support "package" to individuals who are selling their PCs and Macs on Craigslist and Ebay? My firm would basically offer limited tech support to the buyer which the seller pays for upfront. The seller benefits from the perception of the buyer that his/her computer is a lower risk to buy which will ultimately lead to quicker and higher sales. I even thought about offering tech support subscription services to small businesses who can't afford or who don't want to hire an in house IT person. Perhaps a monthly fee of $250-500 a month for unlimited tech support/troubleshooting would be a more fiscally responsible option for such firms.
Don't forget PR marketing activities. Put out a good press release about the launch of your business and why it is unique and newsowrthy and follow up with your local reporters/editors (I know that you want to go national, but your PR will be received most favorably, at first, by the local guys.) Once you get some play, then try to push it further with the regional/national press.
You may have some luck posting ads on sites that many people use who know enough about technology and internet to use it but not enough to troubleshoot their own PCs/Macs. Sites such as Citysearch.com, Chowhound.com, or a few of the many sites that have free Flash games may be something to consider.
I noticed you were from the Dallas, TX vicinity I own a CL Posting Company located out of Dallas, TX, if you'd like we could trade some secrets and/or we can handle your Craigslist Posting needs... PM me if interested