So I`m 18 years old and I have already started my own business. I own JTekNet, a technology service company. I have had 12 clients in the 2 months (10 of which were in the last 2 or 3 weeks) that I`ve been in business. It`s going alright, my prices are way below par so I think everyone is happy about that aspect of my business. I`ve been running it a few months now and have had 2 weeks of outstanding work by word of mouth. The past 2 days though, have been HORRIBLE. I have done nothing but sit in my office and make NO money.
I`ve advertised in the local paper and I feel like I`m not getting a very good ROI. It`s very discouraging and disheartening having a few EXCELLENT weeks then coming back to nothing. It would be different if I had some ads going and some marketing going on and I had done everything I could, but I don`t because I don`t really know where to start aside from papers, television, and radio - which are too expensive! One thing though, I do have unlimited printing capacity and have made up a brochure as a start. If anyone would like to see this I`d be more than happy to show you the .doc file of it.
I`ve thought about going around door to door, but that seems a little awkward even though I know by taking a few minutes of their time I`m offering them something far more valuable in return. I`m just very confused and am looking for any guidance that can be given.
Thanks
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I used to work in this industry, and let me assure you that it is normal. I worked full time in a small repair shop. Sometimes the place would be overflowing with work for a couple days and sometimes we would be staring at the ceiling for a couple of days. In the end it usually averages out, and if it does you have nothing to worry about. It`s just the nature of the business.
I`m open to suggestions on other services I could offer. I mean, if they are "regional" offers that aren`t encroaching on other people or stepping on their toes. I mean I live in WV, this is a place where everyone is WAY behind on technology and I`d love to start offering businesses my services. I`m just not quite sure what it is that will steer them away from their current repair person, I have prices that KILL everyone else in the competition around here. I only charge $35 per hour which is unheard of. I think if it were much higher though people will start saying "Hey, you`re prices are way too high for me to afford" You have to take into account I live in a place where telemarketing is in the top 5 employers for the COUNTY. They are making $7 / hour average and that`s making them work a DAY to just to pay me an hour of service. They can`t justify that in their head. I understand that my time is worth what I charge, but they don`t see it that way being the consumer.
I also have a really bad problem with letting people off easy and not charging them the actual time I take I mean if someone can`t get their computer to come on and I take 15 minutes to fix it I get a royal butt chewing if I charge them $35 even though my policy states "$35/hour - ONE HOUR MINIMUM".
I also have a really bad problem with letting people off easy and not charging them the actual time I take I mean if someone can`t get their computer to come on and I take 15 minutes to fix it I get a royal butt chewing if I charge them $35 even though my policy states "$35/hour - ONE HOUR MINIMUM".
Congrats on the business. I started my first business at a young age and learned a great deal. There are a ton of free ways to advertise your business, and you can do many of them in your down time while you are waiting for jobs:
-Flyers-cheap and easy to make. With my lawn care business, I prepared and distributed them on a regular basis until I have a steady business. Go into businesses where your customer base would visit and ask to put your flyer on the counter, front door, front window, etc. Malls, shopping centers, grocery, convenience and drug stores work well. At the bottom of your flyer have your business name and phone number that they can tear off.
-Business cards-same idea as flyers. You can hand out 5-10 at businesses. Ask to leave them on the counter or put them on the community boards.
-Contract your work out to other computer service businesses. Walk into your competition and talk to the manager. Some of them may be swamped and could use the extra help. Offer them a discount on your full rate. Being references with you for them to check.
Most of all, be patient. It takes months or even years to build a reputation and client list that will provide you with uninterrupted work. Be very conscience of your quality and your relationships with your clients. Good luck and welcome to entrepreneurship.
-Flyers-cheap and easy to make. With my lawn care business, I prepared and distributed them on a regular basis until I have a steady business. Go into businesses where your customer base would visit and ask to put your flyer on the counter, front door, front window, etc. Malls, shopping centers, grocery, convenience and drug stores work well. At the bottom of your flyer have your business name and phone number that they can tear off.
-Business cards-same idea as flyers. You can hand out 5-10 at businesses. Ask to leave them on the counter or put them on the community boards.
-Contract your work out to other computer service businesses. Walk into your competition and talk to the manager. Some of them may be swamped and could use the extra help. Offer them a discount on your full rate. Being references with you for them to check.
Most of all, be patient. It takes months or even years to build a reputation and client list that will provide you with uninterrupted work. Be very conscience of your quality and your relationships with your clients. Good luck and welcome to entrepreneurship.
Another thing to look at is your pricing. No business is going to
always have transactions forever. A well-established business will have
an ongoing amount of work, but even there you`ll see ups and downs,
slow periods and busy times.
To handle some of that variation you build into the fee-structure and pricing schedule the money to keep you afloat in the slow times.
It may seem like a great idea to sell way below market pricing, but then you`ll find yourself living hand-to-mouth. If you can`t keep a never-ending stream of business going, you`ll be in trouble. Since it`s very hard to keep that never-ending stream of business, you have a built-in contradiction.
Another risk is that you end up with so much business (because of the below-market pricing) that you can`t keep it all going. You might have to hire employees, but your pricing wouldn`t provide for the salaries.
All in all, it seems to me that you`ll want to re-examine the nature of business ups and downs, contemplate your pricing, and perhaps use this slow period to take a look at your financial structure. I`m not in any way a financial-type person, I`m just pointing out the logic of business transaction flows.
To handle some of that variation you build into the fee-structure and pricing schedule the money to keep you afloat in the slow times.
It may seem like a great idea to sell way below market pricing, but then you`ll find yourself living hand-to-mouth. If you can`t keep a never-ending stream of business going, you`ll be in trouble. Since it`s very hard to keep that never-ending stream of business, you have a built-in contradiction.
Another risk is that you end up with so much business (because of the below-market pricing) that you can`t keep it all going. You might have to hire employees, but your pricing wouldn`t provide for the salaries.
All in all, it seems to me that you`ll want to re-examine the nature of business ups and downs, contemplate your pricing, and perhaps use this slow period to take a look at your financial structure. I`m not in any way a financial-type person, I`m just pointing out the logic of business transaction flows.
I got a WONDERFUL opportunity handed to me. I have a FREE 10x10foot booth at a local festival because a client is paying for it. I`m not real sure what to do with it and would love ideas. This is going to be a HUGE event. It`s at the old Weston State Hopital in West Virginia.
There is estimated to be over 10,000 people that should be there over the three day time period. My office is a SHORT 5 minute walk away, I`m not sure if I should have people bring me computers and have my secretary take them with a phone number sticky noted to them or what.
I`m also not sure what to do with the space itself. Please help me with some ideas to do something fancy. All the high dollar expenses have been covered for me so I feel more comfortable spending a little to make a GREAT presentation.
There is estimated to be over 10,000 people that should be there over the three day time period. My office is a SHORT 5 minute walk away, I`m not sure if I should have people bring me computers and have my secretary take them with a phone number sticky noted to them or what.
I`m also not sure what to do with the space itself. Please help me with some ideas to do something fancy. All the high dollar expenses have been covered for me so I feel more comfortable spending a little to make a GREAT presentation.
What single thing....1 sentence...would you say describes what you want
to offer people? What`s your mission statement, in other words.
I don`t have a mission statement, per se.
I want to offer people the best quality computer service at the best possible price but I don`t think that qualifies as a very good tag line.
I`m also thinking about starting up computer basics classes. I suppose that`s something I can get some details printed out in the form of a flyer to keep a stack on my table at the event.
I want to offer people the best quality computer service at the best possible price but I don`t think that qualifies as a very good tag line.
I`m also thinking about starting up computer basics classes. I suppose that`s something I can get some details printed out in the form of a flyer to keep a stack on my table at the event.
People will be walking by, you need something to give them.
You will be able to share a hand out of some type, and get more information in the hands of those attending, faster than you could actually talk to everyone. Business card or something else, as long as it has contact information on it.
As for the set up, It can be simple as long as it is professional. Your company name should be visible. Do a drawing or give away to get people to give you a business card or contact information. You can follow up with them later.
KISS the old saying "Keep it simple Simon!"
Be confident and have fun!
-------------------------
Thank you,
Tina Moore
Owner
PrimoSites.com Web Developers
"We make having a great website easy!"
So I`m 18 years old and I have already started my own business. I own JTekNet, a technology service company. I have had 12 clients in the 2 months (10 of which were in the last 2 or 3 weeks) that I`ve been in business. It`s going alright, my prices are way below par so I think everyone is happy about that aspect of my business. I`ve been running it a few months now and have had 2 weeks of outstanding work by word of mouth. The past 2 days though, have been HORRIBLE. I have done nothing but sit in my office and make NO money.
I`ve advertised in the local paper and I feel like I`m not getting a very good ROI. It`s very discouraging and disheartening having a few EXCELLENT weeks then coming back to nothing. It would be different if I had some ads going and some marketing going on and I had done everything I could, but I don`t because I don`t really know where to start aside from papers, television, and radio - which are too expensive! One thing though, I do have unlimited printing capacity and have made up a brochure as a start. If anyone would like to see this I`d be more than happy to show you the .doc file of it.
I`ve thought about going around door to door, but that seems a little awkward even though I know by taking a few minutes of their time I`m offering them something far more valuable in return. I`m just very confused and am looking for any guidance that can be given.
Thanks
I`ve advertised in the local paper and I feel like I`m not getting a very good ROI. It`s very discouraging and disheartening having a few EXCELLENT weeks then coming back to nothing. It would be different if I had some ads going and some marketing going on and I had done everything I could, but I don`t because I don`t really know where to start aside from papers, television, and radio - which are too expensive! One thing though, I do have unlimited printing capacity and have made up a brochure as a start. If anyone would like to see this I`d be more than happy to show you the .doc file of it.
I`ve thought about going around door to door, but that seems a little awkward even though I know by taking a few minutes of their time I`m offering them something far more valuable in return. I`m just very confused and am looking for any guidance that can be given.
Thanks
MISJUSTIN,
Welcome to the business world... Don`t feel discouraged... especially in such infancy stage... As someone mentioned in the forum... it comes with the territory.
If you`re thinking about advertising, the best thing you can do instead of brochures are: door hanger flyers... Although, you are going from door to door... at least you are not knocking... you are simply hanging it on their door...
Radio, Television is way out of your league unless you have deep pockets... Try passing out your business cards to as many people that you can.... Or better yet... goto Best buy and offer your services to potential customers.... leave flyers on their windows... I bet you the guys at Geek squad are gonna hate you... but... that`s the nature of the business... they know that... and you should too....
-------------------------
Edgar Monroy
Web Developer / Owner / Consultant
When starting your own business the need to "know-how" is greater than money!
http://www.nuevolution.net
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