Small Business Computer Consulting Blog

If you've decided to purchase a PC repair franchise, make no mistake: you'll be doing more than just PC repair.

When first starting an IT consulting business, many newly-minted entrepreneurs gravitate to home-user clients. Everybody knows somebody who could use the help of an IT professional. So home users can help you get started and set you up with some good testimonials. But don’t get too comfortable. 

If you have had enough of the day-to-day grind and are considering offering your computer consulting business for sale, there are some sensible and essential steps you can follow to ensure your company is attractive to buyers.

The Google I/O Conference likes to do things differently. The 2012 event at San Francisco's Moscone Center is no exception. 

Top 4 Computer Repair Advertising Mistakes (Screencast)
When designing and purchasing advertising for a computer repair service, many IT business owners and managers try to take a shortcut by copying someone else's advertisement, at least to a limited degree. The big mistake with that approach, though, is assuming that the advertising that you're copying is actually effective.
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Good Managed Services Marketing Also Means Managed Online Reputation
If you've been doing managed services marketing for a while, you may remember back when customers didn't know much about you apart from your business card, your smile, and, occasionally, a mutual acquaintance.
But social media has proven to be a real game-changer.
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IT Service Contract Secrets for Getting More Repeat Clients and Recurring Service Revenue (White Paper)
Need more repeat clients and recurring revenue? Give your IT business a big running head start every time the calendar flips over to the first of the month. Discover how to position your IT service contract program for maximum revenue and profitability. Uncover the simple, step-by-step process that turns one-time customers into highly loyal, long-term IT service contract clients
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Cloud Connect makes no secret of its aim to promote cloud computing among IT service providers. 

Joel Harrison, editor of B2B Marketing, recently hosted a webcast presentation entitled, “B2B brand personality: How do you know if yours is right?” by Richard Bush, CEO of Base One Group, a B2B branding and digital communications agency.

Microsoft’s new MCSM accreditation (Microsoft Certified Solutions Master) is described by the company as “the pinnacle of distinction for experienced IT professionals.” 

When you are planning to start a computer repair business, it’s best to take things back to basics.

D&H Distributing Company is one of a number of IT distributors emphasizing support for their resellers to offer cloud computing-based services.

CompTIA (Computing Technology Industry Association) sees the JOBS (Jumpstart Our Business Startups) Act as potentially advantageous for the small- and medium-sized businesses in its membership (in total over 2,000 companies).

When designing and purchasing computer repair advertising, many IT business owners and managers try to take a shortcut by copying someone else’s advertisement, at least to a limited degree. 

When creating a computer business flyer, it’s tempting to pack it with too much information. However, when promoting your business, it’s helpful to think quality over quantity. 

With the Kaspersky Partner Program, VARs and IT providers can take advantage of attractive incentives and a number of revenue-generating opportunities. 

If you’ve been doing managed services marketing for a while, you may remember back when customers didn’t know much about you apart from your business card, your smile, and, occasionally, a mutual acquaintance.

When considering a franchise, there's always the balance between authority and autonomy to consider. How much will the franchisor be telling you what to do? How much will you be able to decide for yourself? Most importantly, what balance is right for you and your business?

The success of your IT business is likely to be dependent on your ability to continually build up computer consulting contract work.

IT Marketing that Turns Legacy Technology Dangers into an Opportunity

Businesses often stick to legacy technology because it's "the devil they know." This makes for an IT marketing challenge, more pronounced in some markets than others. However, SMBs need to be convinced that new technology is beneficial, and that staying with legacy technology is a poor option. Your marketing has to give your customers good arguments to move on. Here's a selection of discussion points that you can adapt to specific customers and their needs.
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Computer consulting firms needn’t be one-stop shops. 

Advertising can reach more people, but direct contact, for instance by phone, is how to market computer services if you want to be sure of some action.

Rather than depending on repeatedly selling audiovisual or security solutions to the same customers, how about having a technology distributor help you extend your business to address new opportunities, too?

Sage was one of the main sponsors of TFM&A 2012. In addition to being a highly-visible exhibitor at the show, Sage also ran some seminars at the CRM & Multi-Channel Marketing Theatre.

Every computer support franchise is different. What you choose to specialize in will be determined by your own competencies and the needs of the customers in your area. Most franchises, however, will find a few core skill sets very useful as they build their client list and expand their operations.

You've done your research and decided that a computer franchise is right for you.

Besides promoting the interests of their members, software trade associations like BSA (Business Software Alliance) and SIIA (Software & Information Industry Association) also defend their members by auditing the software used by customers.

When you start a consulting business that focuses on small business technology, you need to get the word out any way you can. 

ASCDI-NATD held a winter conference for IT solution providers and VARs in Clearwater Beach, Florida, from March 7th to 9th. 

Have you ever wondered if your IT business should offer a printer maintenance contract?

Professional computer consultants know that the key to maintaining their business is finding the sweet spot clients. It’s tempting—and sometimes necessary—when you first start up, to take anything and everything. 

Businesses often stick to legacy technology because it’s “the devil they know.” This makes for an IT marketing challenge, more pronounced in some markets than others. 

MCITP (Microsoft Certified IT Professional) certification is available for a range of Microsoft technologies and products, and is a great way to improve your credentials as an IT consultant.

The HP AllianceONE Partner Program is an opportunity for close collaboration with one of the world's leading IT companies. 

How to Market Computer Services on a Budget

When marketing computer services, it would be tempting to just shell out money and buy a bunch of ads. But there are two problems with this approach.
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If you offer business computer consulting services, your customers are sure to need various hardware and software items on an ongoing basis. 

With social media marketing so in vogue at the moment, it’s surprising to see an IT distributor like Evertek Computer Corporation basically absent from social media marketing and social networks like Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and LinkedIn.

The EMC Velocity Partner Program can yield significant benefits to IT channel partners. 

If your lack of technical expertise has been holding you back from acquiring a computer franchise, it's time to set your fears aside. Leading IT franchisors agree: what's really important is knowing how to manage a business.

It’s not rocket science to work out what clients typically want from a business computer consulting service. Yet, so many companies concentrate on the technology and forget the basics.

XChange Solution Provider 2012 may have come and gone.

Do you need more consistent results from your IT lead generation campaigns? If so, consider getting involved in one or more lead swapping circles. Here’s how it works:

When you are starting a computer consulting business, your priority is likely to be selling your services to clients and establishing an income. While this makes perfect sense, it is equally important to get your internal admin processes in order.

Apple is currently looking for small VARs, IT consultants, and MSPs to join the Apple Consultants Network. The network helps firms develop specialty IT consulting practices in the business sector.

When thinking about how to market computer services, it would be tempting to just shell out money and buy a bunch of ads.

A recent report from a survey made jointly by Deloitte & Touche LLP and the AGMA (Alliance for Gray Market and Counterfeit Abatement) links channel incentive abuse with the high-tech gray market.

If you want to create a perfect IT support agreement to sell to your small business clients, you need to hone-in on the crucial things most customers want.

IT Consulting Sales: A Lot More Personal than Most Realize

Do you make the most of your sales opportunities? Jennifer Holloway, Founder of Spark, presented a seminar about Personal Branding at Business 2012 in London. She made some compelling arguments, backed up by solid evidence. Learn what SMEs need to do to make sure that they position themselves to make the most of their IT consulting sales opportunities.
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Jennifer Holloway, Founder of Spark, presented a seminar about Personal Branding at Business 2012 in London. She made some compelling arguments, backed up by solid evidence. This is what SMEs need to do to make sure that they position themselves to make the most of their IT consulting sales opportunities.

The Telecommunications Industry Association will be hosting its TIA 2012 Conference and Exhibition June 5-7, 2012 in Dallas.

CCNA certification cost varies hugely depending on how you choose to study for the qualification.

When you become a Microsoft Partner, you join 640,000 IT solution provider firms across the world. With the backing of Microsoft, you can reach out to more customers and grow your business.  

If you're looking for an IT franchise with a strong, established brand, and one that prefers its owners to be strong in business acumen before technical prowess, Nerd Force might be what you're looking for.

Avnet Technology Solutions is making the most of YouTube and smooth video marketing to address its channel partners.

What are the best IT certifications to aim for, if you run a small computer company?

For computer business owners who want to get better IT marketing results and attract great small business clients, this quiz can help you pinpoint your problems.

Technology For Marketing and Advertising is always an interesting event and is one that I try to attend in London every year.

If you have the idea to start a computer business, you probably like the appeal of being your own boss.

Computer repair ads are key for bringing in new business in the computer repair industry.

5 Twitter Tips that Attract Great Customers

Is it even possible to leverage Twitter as part of your IT sales strategy? Yes it is! You can integrate Twitter into your sales strategy, but be cautious.
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Choosing your computer business name is something you should spend some time on.