Forums: Discussions for entrepreneurs and small business.

I REALLY needed to find these postings. I`ve sold myself short for too long in the on-site computer service field. I started at $60/hr, but then took a look at the calculators around the web to determine a rate. I averaged out to $80/hr after calculating  expenses, required income, and little or no profit. The best thing is that when volume starts playing into things I can hire additional techs and still keep a decent cash flow. I`ve changed my prices and lost some customers "thankfully" Most of the customers I lost were not my best. In fact they always wanted me to give them discounts and barter services. I discovered the hard way that pricing low esp in service type businesses, brings on cheap clientelle. I`m now more interested in creating relationship based customers and not just volume.

 

OMG.. i just found a marketing avenue. - Techvisitor.com - Your Personal Tech Support Team

It is so important to find those value-focused customers because they are the ones who will end up helping you to grow your business.  You will probably never receive a referral, no matter how far you bend over backwards for them, from a client who cares disproportionately about price over all other matters (especially quality) and wants to chew you down to a ridiculously cheap rate- which is a good reason in itself not to offer a ridculously cheap rate on your own.

 

However, you will find that the value-focused clients that you do a good job for at a customary rate will be the first to spread the news to their associates about what a great service you provide.  Since like-minds often stick together, chances are the people who get referred to you will also be value-focused and will be looking for someone who can do a great job above all else.

 

When you encounter prospects who are stuck on price alone, let that be a red flag to you.  I can almost guarantee you that you will experience more problems with them, in various ways, than you ever would have dreamed.

 

Offer your services at a fair price. Fair is equitable to both sides, not just one.

 

A great piece of advice!