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How to build a customer base

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by sandro1069

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I repair, setup, configure, install, upgrade and troubleshoot computers. I am aware that there is a huge market in the home consumer area. Where can I find such customers, how do I market myself, how do I keep and build my customer base and what prices should I charge and still remain on top?

Thanks for your time
Sandro Giraldo
sandro1069@netzero.net

8 replies

by md_hashim

Search the internet for e-mail IDs and telephone numbers of people in you area - make cold calls. Handouts with newspaper too are a good idea.

by jereg

There are a number a ways to market your business, and this space is way too small to cover most of them. I would recommend going to your local library and looking at some marketing books. I did, and found them very helpful. That said, here's a suggestion. If you want to make yourself known to home computer users, go where they go. Where's that? CompUSA and Best Buy. Find out what they charge for repair and service. Knock 10-20 percent off, (not too much). Print up flyers about your business, then go to your potential customers, (CompUSA), and stick them on the cars in the parking lot. Put on the flyer that they get one free phone call or something. Leave 100 or 200 the first time and see what kind of response you get. Next outing, double the number of flyers and again, check the results. Track the return calls by store and area, maybe change your flyer or offer, see what works.
Good Luck.

by diabetic

I've done very well on the User Group circuit.

the secret here is not to just show up at a meeting and start soliciting business -- you'll make yourself quire unwelcome. Instead, start attending various meetings and get established as a 'regular' attendee. Then start being useful. Help out during the Q&A session that most user groups have. Hang around the coffee urn dispensign useful, free information. Pretty soon you'll be making paid housecalls. Working as an independent, price yourself slightly below what the stores charge, but not too low or people will question your worth.

I charge one rate for the first half hour (that covers some travel time) and then a lower rate for each additional half hour. I don't play 'clock' games withthe customers, and try to give them full value for the money they spend. In other words, if I am going to charge for the first half hour and the second half hour, I don't leave after 40 minutes, even if the work is done. I'll stay the full 60 minutes and clean their system, do some file management or even some training, so that they feel like they received good value. Word of mouth, and an ample supply of business cards, takes care of the rest.

A similar approach of volunteering to be a speak at local computer shows also yields new customers.

Humbly submitted,
diabetic

by diabetic

Think of it this way, it is all a matter of numbers. If your skill sets and people skills are solid, you should be able to get business for every "n" people you interact. The object, then, is to interact with as many people as possible so as to convert the "n" factor into customers.

I mentioned trade shows above. The small, local shows are great because they give you an opportunity to interact with a lot of prospective customers. If you sign up to give a free seminar or to be on a panel of some sorts, you are demonstrating tht you know what you are talking about, and have a chance to pass out lots and lots of business cards.

Later, as you gain more revenues, join the local Chambers of Commerce and see if you can get connected to a netowrking group that meets for breakfast once a week. The latter are great incubators for business opportunities.

Good luck

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