SP Home Run Weekly Update Newsletter

June 20, 2012

7 IT Consulting Marketing Steps that Raise Your Profile (Screencast)
Imagine how much more effective your marketing would be if your prospects had already heard of your company name by the time they met you. Even better -- what if business prospects came to you, instead of you having to go look for them? If you're ready to build your reputation, then take note of these seven proven ways to raise your local profile.
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3 Technology Sales Tips for Reaching Small Business Decision Makers
If you're new to the small business segment, you may be tempted to think that reaching its decision makers is pretty simple. It can be, but no so fast. While selling to small business decision makers can be a lot simpler than technology sales in a Fortune 500 environment, the fragmentation among small businesses means that you need to have a well thought-out game plan to avoid wasting time and resources. With that in mind, here are three tips for succeeding in this space.
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Top 5 Tips on Setting Your Computer Service Rates
When you first start up your new IT business, it can be difficult to judge how best to set your rates. Some set their rates too low because they think that, by setting them low, they will beat out the competition, or they may not yet have confidence in the worth of their services. On the other hand, some set their rates way too high because they have not carried out adequate research into their market place. Here are five tips that will help you to set your computer service rates correctly.
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IT Services Contract FAQs for Defining Covered Hours
When you offer a services contract to small business clients, they are sure to ask what hours you are available. It's essential to ensure that all parties are on the same page regarding this. Failure to set firm boundaries between your work life and private time can quickly result in resentment and burnout.
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Top 10 IT Marketing Strategies (White Paper)
Need more clients? Find out eight very low-cost ways to draw in new business (pages 4-5). Uncover four little-known secrets for locating the most highly qualified prospective clients (pages 7-8). Learn how you can consistently attract more high-paying clients (pages 9-10). Discover five easy-to-apply tips for marketing high-margin, small business computer consulting services (page 14).
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Do IT Distributors Need to Fill in a Missing Channel Link?
IT distributors may have more work to do if the results of a recent reseller survey are representative of the wider dealer community. The survey organized by The Channel Partnership, a UK channel consultancy, asked 250 VARs what they thought about their vendors.
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3 Unusual Computer Business Ideas (Screencast)
If you're looking for business ideas, there's plenty more you can do beyond fixing PCs and providing support. Learn about three slightly more unusual business models, with a lot less competition.
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5 Reasons to Become an IT Consultant for Small Businesses
People who become an IT consultant for local small businesses find that it not only provides high job satisfaction, but that it can also be very financially rewarding.
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Varnex University Gathers Steam on Training for VAR Salespeople
IT resellers who want to boost their professional sales knowledge may find a solution in the forthcoming Varnex University, presented by distributor SYNNEX. The aim is to help VAR members to get the training they need, but may have had difficulty completing on their own.
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New Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE): Certification Revamp
Microsoft describe its Microsoft Certified Solutions Expert (MCSE) certification as a reinvention of the well-known MCSE certification track that was present in the industry for a long time before being briefly removed and replaced with other Microsoft accreditations.
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Cisco Partner Summit Prepares Delegates for Future Opportunities
The Cisco Partner Summit had its sights set clearly on the future. Technology providers who are Cisco partners experienced four days of networking and leadership development. They also learned about Cisco's latest channel strategy initiatives.
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Retail Solutions Providers Association and Resellers Meet in July
The Retail Solutions Providers Association (RSPA) is firmly stamping its 2012 RetailNOW annual convention in Las Vegas with the theme of education.
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Microsoft Partner Support Promotes Products, Sales, and Development (Screencast)
Microsoft Partner Support offers help and advice to those VARs, MSPs, and other technology providers who have become members of the Microsoft Partner Network. The support system breaks down into five main areas.
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Computer Shop Franchise Needs to Draw In Larger Customers
Even for large companies, turning a profit on computer hardware sales can be tough. Dell and HP PC divisions regularly operate with single-digit profit margins. And in May, both industry giants announced massive job layoffs directly attributable to slumping sales. Can a small computer shop franchise survive on sales to consumers alone?
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