On Fri, 2 Dec 2005 07:52:53 GMT "Thane Sherrington (S)" <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> wrote: > > At 09:39 PM 01/12/2005, Chris Shaw wrote: > >Has anyone offered something special to drum up new work, such as free AV > >&/or spyware scan on first visit?? If you have, what was the offer & how > >well did it work?? > > Offering something for free makes it worthless, doesn't it? I mean, if > *you* think your service can be given away, then what is the customer > supposed to think? I do free work for customers who are large, loyal > customers, but I never fall for the "Do this for me for free, and the next > computer I get, I'll get from you." because it's a lie. They might not > realize they are lying when they say it, but less than 10% actually follow > through on their promise. > > If your service is worth $100, then charge $100, and show the customer why > it's worth $100. > > Otherwise, you end up being the lowballer who ruins the business for > everyone (and there's at least one of these in every town.)
I think you missed my point here. I have found that dropping off flyers in offices or stopping in at an office, introducing yourself, & leaving a card, won't necessarily pay off with a new customer. What I am talking about is doing the above but also tell them you will give them a "system evaluation" (possibly giving suggestions on how to improve their current system) & do a spyware/adware scan & removal for free just to get in the door & get them to maybe put your name on their Roledex for future problems. This costs less than any advertising, shows off you capabilities, gives them an idea of how they might improve their current systems, cleans off some of those "baddies", & mainly gets you in the door & talking to them about building a business relationship. All of this would take probably about 30 minutes. Timewise, it would probably be worth about $30 or $40 labor. So it wouldn't be much out of your pocket, but would do alot for getting a new client, if you take advantag! e of talking to them while the scan is running. They would feel like they got something for free, & you would be promoting your business. If you could mention that some businesses charge $50 or more to do something like this, then it would have a value. This would also impress the client that you are serious about getting their business. I don't know, maybe my imagination is running wild. But I was trying to find out what some of you guys are doing to get more business, other than throwing money at advertising. Possibly if we all put our heads together, maybe we could come up with some ideas for this. I agree with Chuck that advertising in all of the local media isn't going to much other than making the advertisers rich. As far as new builds go, I don't do much of this, but am open to it if some asks. I have found that servicing & upgrading present systems is more lucritive than trying to compete with Dell, HP, Sony, & all of those big guys. I KNOW I can build a better & more reliable system than they can, but they will most of the time beat you on price. I still feel like the "labor charge" is where the little guy can make a living. Just my $.0000000000000000000000000002. I apologize if I offended anyone by "being the lowballer who ruins the business for everyone"!!! > > T -- C L Shaw <>< <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Today is a moment for you to clip yet another strand from the rope of earth, so that when he returns you won't be tied up.
