[JamesRedwood]

Hi All,

I m thinking of opening a local computer support company to help with Networking and software problems as well as general advice on how to use applications

I work as a developer and dont really make enough money so this might subsidize my income. I went to university and did a computer science degree if that helps

Can anyone comment on where I should be doing my advertising to get customers?

All the people I know are pretty computer savy and would not pay for help but there must be some people who need this service?

Any ideas?

[hayesk]

Work a deal with local computer shops that do not provide service themselves. Give them a percentage to every customer they send to you.

[dimplemonkey]

I have been doing exactly what you have been describing for almost 5 years. I have yet to do any advertising. If you've got the chops and are capable of offering a service that's not condescending, insulting, and demeaning to the client but are informative, show good work ethic, be proactive. and can take support to the next level, then it will be easy. It started with one person who was kind enough to let me demonstrate what I could do and it just took off from there. Yes, it was residential at first, but I eventually got referred to work in better neighborhoods and then ran into VPs and execs who pretty much recommended me for company work. It's all about the service and networking with the right people. I had practically nothing for capital and have built myself up without having a borrow a single dime! Did I worry about competition? Nope. Not only was there enough to go around, I made tech contacts that I eventually passed on the extra work I couldn't handle over to them (I got a percentage for referring them) and they would do the same for me. So can it be done? Unequivocally, 100% yes! Remember, when you need a good plumber/painter/mechanic, do you start out in the yellow pages or do you ask your friend or neighbor who would they recommend? If the services was great or awful, they would tell you. Just my .02. Good luck in your endeavors!

[turtle777]

dimplemonkey, is your business PC (Wintel) or Mac based ?

James, I think it's gonna be harder to get into corporate customers if you are limited to Mac (OS X). Most companies use Windows, so Mac knowledge isn't gonna get you far.

Look out for companies that are most likely using Macs, like ad agencies and publishing houses.

-t

[ghporter]

James, having that degree will impress some potential customers, but, as I also have a BS in Computer Science, I can tell you that it won't help you do things for those customers. Most will have hosed up their machines (if they're running Windows) by messing with stuff they shouldn't touch, whether that's messing with settings that a regular user shouldn't ever touch, or whether it's visiting "interesting" web sites and winding up infested with viruses and other crap, understanding queuing theory and priority assignment algorithms won't be terribly useful to you.

As dimple says, word of mouth is your best method of advertising this sort of work. Start with the workplaces of people you know-get them to post a business card or flyer on a work bulletin board if they're allowed, and see what develops. What dimplemonkey doesn't state explicitly is that you should be patient; maybe you'll get more work than you can handle in the first week. Maybe not in the first year.

Good luck with it.