John
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
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I detest the word IT, everybody claims to be in IT 
Since the other one was deleted, cs is an excellent sounding board because no punches are pulled.
I've been debating this for a while but the main things stopping me are lack of business knowledge and the fact I believe it to be a saturated market because every tom dick and harry done IT at college.
I would probably originally start doing a multitude of things, easy low money stuff like building and fixing home pc's.
Main goal would be to get small businesses on board (possibly contracts with them?) as I think there is possibly money to be made here.
I'm confident that when somebody used my services I'd be the first person they came to in future and I could, at least until I was making some money, offer very competitive pricing.
What is the best way of advertising?
I have no idea where businesses would look if they needed something along these lines done?
Are there any that don't either have permanent staff or current contracts?
Any views/info/whatever is appreciated.
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Cavey
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Registered: 11th Nov 02
Location: Derby
User status: Offline
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I've been considering doing something like this as well.
I'm a postie, so finish at 2pm most days, also i'm on a different route pretty much everyday, so i could be delivering 500 leaflets advertising my services every day to 500 different houses, so advertising wouldn't be a problem for me.
Again, just simple stuff like fixing/building PC's, virus removal etc..etc..
Pricing wise i was thinking £10-20 call-out charge then £x per hour while at a customers.
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Bart
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Registered: 19th Aug 02
Location: Midsomer Norton, Bristol Avon
User status: Offline
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yes, getting retainers (or contracts) are the way forward, 24/7 phone support for small businesses.
Yes the market is saturated with similar businesses, you will need to seriously undercut them to build up a good profile.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
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That's my worry, I really don't want to waste my time for it to amount to nothing, i'd rather look elsewhere instead.
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kz
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Registered: 9th Aug 02
Location: Southend, Essex Drives: Mini Cooper S
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Cavey
so i could be delivering 500 leaflets advertising my services every day to 500 different houses, so advertising wouldn't be a problem for me.
ooo... thats illegal 
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Paul_J
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Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
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Hope you've got good paitence.
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=tKl0jZ9bjsQ&feature=related
I couldn't think of anything worse to do than IT support. Must be the most frustrating and dull job.
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John
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Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
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That's not the type of thing I'm talking about, I know how it works, thats the sort of thing any tom dick and harry does, i'm talking about running a small companies whole infrastructure.
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Robbo
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Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by kz
quote:
Originally posted by Cavey
so i could be delivering 500 leaflets advertising my services every day to 500 different houses, so advertising wouldn't be a problem for me.
ooo... thats illegal
very illegal and very annoying
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Robbo
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Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by John
That's not the type of thing I'm talking about, I know how it works, thats the sort of thing any tom dick and harry does, i'm talking about running a small companies whole infrastructure.
advertising in local business journals etc woulkd be a good place to start i guess? get urself along to a local chamber of commerce event, any local evnts/roadshows (if that makes sense?!)
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Paul_J
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Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by John
That's not the type of thing I'm talking about, I know how it works, thats the sort of thing any tom dick and harry does, i'm talking about running a small companies whole infrastructure.
Yeah I know what you're saying, basically remove the need for an IT department in that company, train some staff members inside the company how to do the basic stuff, and control everything else remotely.
However, I can guarentee you'll find yourself getting your time wasted by idiots asking obivous things regardless.
I know someone who was going to do similar to what you were saying, but across schools. Basically controlling all them remotely, with a young staff member or whatever to go on site if anything needs installing etc.
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ed
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Registered: 10th Sep 03
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by Cavey
I'm a postie, so finish at 2pm most days, also i'm on a different route pretty much everyday, so i could be delivering 500 leaflets advertising my services every day to 500 different houses, so advertising wouldn't be a problem for me.
And if I found out you were abusing your job like that I'd make it my goal to make sure you never came near my letterbox again.
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Richie
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Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
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I thought about starting up myself but tbh I didnt have the financial backing or balls.
Instead, nearly 4 years ago I started on a helpdesk of a very large outsourcing company. Then a year later moved into a senior technician role in the same division.
Another 6 months on and I was being sent to London every other month to provide on site support to customers and its infrastructure.
Another 6 months on I was in charge of the Vista implentation project for internal use and the creation of a managed service to provide to customers using SCCM.
Another year on and I'm now a senior consultant implementing new customer infrastructures and solutions and upgrading/maintaining existing infrastructures. Haven't spoken to an end user for nearly 2 years, bliss 
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Cavey
Member
Registered: 11th Nov 02
Location: Derby
User status: Offline
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Never knew it was illeagal
What's the difference between that and the countless Take-away menu's that come through my door everyday?
Or are they all illeagal as well?
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Richie
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Registered: 3rd Dec 02
Location: Newport, Wales
User status: Offline
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Because they arent being delivered via Royal mail
As a Royal mail employee you cannot do illegal mail drops to peoples doors with their post.
[Edited on 07-09-2008 by Richie]
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Brett
Premium Member
Registered: 16th Dec 02
Location: Manchester
User status: Offline
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It was in an eastenders story line recently, or so my g/f says 
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Paul_J
Member
Registered: 6th Jun 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
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Just do it anyway mate 
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Robbo
Member
Registered: 6th Aug 02
Location: London
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by loafofbrett
It was in an eastenders story line recently, or so my g/f says
It was, Ian Beale promptly put a stop to it 
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pow
Premium Member
Registered: 11th Sep 06
Location: Hazlemere, Buckinghamshire
User status: Offline
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Every Tom Dick and Harry does do IT at college, but, hardly anyone can ACTUALLY do it
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Cavey
Member
Registered: 11th Nov 02
Location: Derby
User status: Offline
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So i could do it after my shift and it'd be fine? That's poo.
I'll stick to my gambling for the moment anyway 
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John
Member
Registered: 30th Jun 03
User status: Offline
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quote:
Originally posted by pow
Every Tom Dick and Harry does do IT at college, but, hardly anyone can ACTUALLY do it
I know, joe public doesn't know the difference though.
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