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Thread ID: 69352	2006-05-30 00:00:00	small business startup	aidanmaz (7180)	PC World Chat

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
458962	2006-05-30 01:21:00	For home users, I find that word-of-mouth works best - word-of-mouth is how I get most of my customers. It also pays to start with a community you already know (i.e. people know who you are and trust you a bit); this helps you to get a foot in the door. Then the happy customers (assuming you did a good job) tell their friends, and then the friends call you. And on and on it goes, and the customers just keep coming. I also found mailbox flyers worked quite well too (about 2% hit rate), and they don't cost much - mine were $0.0466 per flyer (double-sided B/W, 1/3 A4 size). I don't really use them any more though, as I already get all the customers I can handle with a uni degree at the same time.	Erayd (23)
458963	2006-05-30 01:54:00	Friends of the Grandparents etc. Once you've done the first few (and if you do them well) when people at the bowls/bridge/rsa/golf club are whinging you'll find work finds you. It's been years since I was doing home domestic support type stuff and I'm still fighting off calls from parents friends etc.	ninja (1671)
458964	2006-05-30 03:47:00	Exactly. There are stacks and stacks and stacks of "lol I can fix a computer" people operating out of lounges and bedrooms around the country, most of em fleecing old people and barely capable of what they claim to do. Thats my point. I had a customer base, there is/was another guy out West who fell into this category as described above. He was young. Another one I used to hear about was NetPCs son - he was in this category too. He can try but I know a LOT of my customers were very put off by it and had concluded most if not all the young guys were of the above type. Thats why I said some experience with shops first might be in order. Also Cyclone Computers - they take on young guys all the time for work experience - they do a lot of stuff for the likes of Unitec for instance and are always on the look-out for young guys to help with roll-outs etc. Some of them have even been hired as a result.	pctek (84)
458965	2006-05-30 08:31:00	No you're not too young. Can't discourage enthusiastic youth. Check out this website, which may provide some guidance : www.biz.org.nz Andrew	andrew93 (249)
458966	2006-05-30 12:38:00	Thats my point. I had a customer base, there is/was another guy out West who fell into this category as described above. He was young. Another one I used to hear about was NetPCs son - he was in this category too. He can try but I know a LOT of my customers were very put off by it and had concluded most if not all the young guys were of the above type. Thats why I said some experience with shops first might be in order. Also Cyclone Computers - they take on young guys all the time for work experience - they do a lot of stuff for the likes of Unitec for instance and are always on the look-out for young guys to help with roll-outs etc. Some of them have even been hired as a result. You heard about the boy who owns his own PC company out west, earning $80k+ since he was 13 or so. Still doing it, probably earning even more now. He thought public transport was too lower class so caught a corporate taxi around everywhere, everyday, until he got his BMW not so long ago. ... however, he probably stands for 0.001% of all young people testing the waters.	techie (7177)
458967	2006-05-30 23:28:00	I agree that your age shouldn't discourage you. However you need to build up trust and a reputation. I'd suggest doing a few freebies for relatives and their friends just to prove you know your stuff. Word of mouth is the best advertising. Connect up with the local Senior-net people. Try Greypower. They won't have lots of money to spend but will welcome the help. Your best step however is to get work somewhere, even unpaid. You'll learn, and experience is the best teacher.	Winston001 (3612)
458968	2006-05-31 11:43:00	You heard about the boy who owns his own PC company out west, earning $80k+ since he was 13 or so. Still doing it, probably earning even more now. He thought public transport was too lower class so caught a corporate taxi around everywhere, everyday, until he got his BMW not so long ago. No, what guy.	dolby digital (5073)
458969	2006-06-01 07:00:00	Surely you don't really need finance for this sort of enterprise. Start small, doing work for your family friends, etc. They will realise you are just starting out and most would probably be happy to pay as soon as the job is finished. Most home PC repairs are actually just sorting out configuration issues, removal of virii, setting up internet connections and email - the type of repair that doesn't need parts. Don't spend any of your income from your first few jobs and you'll soon have a nice little sum that can be used for parts, etc. I think the most important thing to remember, especially when dealing with older people (in particular, the grandma's and grandpa's of the world) is to dress and speak well. First impressions count immensely, and if you turn up in a pair of low-riding jeans with your arse-crack showing and "talkin' 'bout yo homies" there's very little chance you'll receive more of their custom, or the custom of any of their friends. If you have the cash, invest in a pair of decent trousers, and a couple of good shirts (I think t-shirts are okay, if they are not baggy and are a single muted colour). A good pair of dress shoes also, if you can afford it. One other thing: remember that the home PC user is less likely to have repeat business, unless they keep downloading virii. To be successful ($$) in this area, you will need to get a good reputation, and a large customer base. A friendly call or email once a month or so, just to make sure all is good can help to keep your name in their head should they need some IT assistance again. Good luck.	Antmannz (6583)
458970	2006-06-01 10:55:00	One other thing: remember that the home PC user is less likely to have repeat business, unless they keep downloading virii. Not necessarily & don't disregard the home users - they're my bread & butter - you can sell them the works - PCs, upgrades, better vid cards for the newer games, webcams, broadband, a new laptop, then wireless for it, sell them a digicam, then teach them how to use it, then new photo printer, continuous supplies of inks, blank cds.... The main key is opportunity & if they live in a big house with 4-wheel drives etc - go for the kill. I even sell the odd plasma TV, security cameras.	quarry (252)
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