Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

Hi, I am a computer professional with 10+ years in the computer industry.I am starting a consulting practice in the New Jersey area. I am in search of clients that are  home based businesses, as well as small to medium sized businesses in need of  IT solutions. My rates will be comparable and competitive, and well worth the expertise that I bring to your business. 

I am well versed on the windows platform, along with windows office applications.

I am quite capable of installing hardware/software, PowerPoint design and network installations. If there is anyone that can assist me in finding prospects it would really be appreciated.


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Charles Conley

Network. Network, network, network. Go to local chamber of commerce meetings, networking events, everything. Make some business cards and a website. And network, network, network.

I agree, you will need to network in your area. Unless, you have the capability to work on new clients computers abroad.

Thanks for the feed back, will try and put you suggestions into operation

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Charles Conley

Thanks for the suggestions, will do. Thanks

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Charles Conley

Invest in a Yellow Pages ad, and include a Web site URL in that ad. When your information gets put into the system, almost every other lookup service grabs the same info. Google offers a map to your address, and the pop-up will draw from the URL in the listing.

Switchboard and 411.com also pick up from the phone listing, so use the classic Yellow Pages from the local phone company. With a Chamber of Commerce listing, and the Yellow Pages ad, the next step would be a direct mail campaign, when you can afford it.

The hard part is to target small businesses and those entrepreneurs working out of their home. They`re not particularly listed that way, and it`s not so easy to get a mailer into their hands.

Finally, come up with a fast, 1-sentence "slogan" that defines what it is you`re going to give the client (not what you`re going to DO for them, what they`re going to GET from you.) Try the exercise, "If you give me your.....[something]......I`ll give you......[what?]"

Nobody wants to work with computers. Machines are supposed to work on their own. Yet more people have to depend on machines and computers, and that`s disheartening. As such, you have a psychological similarity to a physician. When someone has to call you, it`s likely going to be bad news. So you have to overcome that "fear of the doctor" thing. :-)

Hi Craig,

Thanks for the information, that should help to get my name out there. I`ll implement the strategy you laid out.

Regards,
Charles


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Charles Conley

Hi Charles,

One very important but often-overlooked business development strategy...

Rather than networking with potential prospects one at a time, network with trusted business advisors (CPAs, attorneys, management consultants, and deeply niched technology consultants) that can introduce you to MULTIPLE highly-qualified prospects.

They already have contacts with the small business decision makers that you`re trying to reach. And their referrals and recommendations will
a) overcome many credibility-based sales objections
b) shorten the sales cycle
c) get you out of the commodity-bidding business (i.e. think phone book, coupon packs, and online advertising)
d) allow you to command premium hourly billing rates
e) give you a higher utilization rate (more billable hours/week)

Also, especially at the early stages of your business, you`ve GOT to get your time management under control.

If you haven`t already signed up for our free tips, excerpts, and audio samples on computer consulting business training, you should definitely do that too right away. (We`ve helped literally thousands of new computer consultants in your situation...even many right in Northern NJ).

By signing up for the free tips, you`ll also get invited to one of our upcoming free Webinars... which you`ll definitely get a lot out of.

Here`s to getting you more of the best, steady, high-paying clients!

Best,

Joshua Feinberg, author/editorial director
Computer Consulting Kit Home Study Course