New business hints?!

Hi All,

Been the observer in this ng for a bit and am very
impressed by the quality usefull info... so I decided
to ask a questions(s)

I live in a country town which has a growing business
enviroment, I got layed off a while ago and decided
its time to go it alone.

My services are computer relating, networking, website design
etc. I have very little capital at the moment due to my
wife also been out of work, so this is a real shoe-string
budget job...

My plan is to go around all the buinesses proposing my
services, then hoping that will generate some cash
to pursue other advertising possibilities.

My question is, how do I propose my services to potential
clients in a non intrusive way, I dont want to be
that "sales guy", I want to come across as a good guy
making a living, not Mr Pushy... I am wondering
also any tricks to get past the receptionists

Also, do you know of any other ways to get myself
known that really are very cheap?

Thank you in advance.

Simon
www.sigaconsulting.com

"Psy" <shough@sigaconsulting.comNOSPAM>
:bh941q02fkp@enews3.newsguy.com...
>
> Hi All,
>
> Been the observer in this ng for a bit and am very
> impressed by the quality usefull info... so I decided
> to ask a questions(s)
>
> I live in a country town which has a growing business
> enviroment, I got layed off a while ago and decided
> its time to go it alone.
>
> My services are computer relating, networking, website design
> etc. I have very little capital at the moment due to my
> wife also been out of work, so this is a real shoe-string
> budget job...
>
> My plan is to go around all the buinesses proposing my
> services, then hoping that will generate some cash
> to pursue other advertising possibilities.
>
> My question is, how do I propose my services to potential
> clients in a non intrusive way, I dont want to be
> that "sales guy", I want to come across as a good guy
> making a living, not Mr Pushy... I am wondering
> also any tricks to get past the receptionists
>
> Also, do you know of any other ways to get myself
> known that really are very cheap?
>
> Thank you in advance.
>
> Simon
> www.sigaconsulting.com


I am reading a book now and I highly recommend it.
The name is "Marketing you services, a step-by step guid for small
businesses and professionals". It has a lot of practical tips.

Good luck,

Yi Chen
--------
http://www.shansoft.com/

You've got a great looking site Simon, but I notice you don't have your
address listed anywhere. You might want to fix that (even if it's just a
PO Box) since it can add more credibility. It's perhaps not essential
right now, but something to think about for later. As you build up a
portfolio you'll also want to list clients that you have worked for.


> My question is, how do I propose my services to potential
> clients in a non intrusive way....

I would suggest researching each business before you approach them.
Instead of going in with the goal of gaining a job and earning some
money, think instead of solving a problem that the business is facing.
That's what a business will respond to, if you can show you know who they
are, what they're about and the challenges they face. *And* provide a
solution.

And make sure it *is* a solution! Don't offer to switch them all over to
Linux if they've just done a TCO study and decided it's not for them.
Researching the business will be difficult, but you'll feel much more
confident for doing it. Perhaps you could ask some employees that you
know, see if there are any computer issues they're facing.

As for getting past the receptionist, always be polite. Ultimately you
want the receptionist on your side and encouraging the boss to see you,
not asking the boss to make you stop annoying her.

I should probably add that I've never had to propose my services to a
client (to date I've always been approached first), so my suggestions may
or may not work for you.


> Also, do you know of any other ways to get myself
> known that really are very cheap?

You could try running through the street naked, but that's
probably not quite what you had in mind

- Kohan
__________________________________________________ ___________________

namesuppressed - grunge music, kohan ikin
shareware Photoshop plugins, http://www.namesuppressed.com
opinions and much much more... syneryder@NOSPAM.namesuppressed.com

Psy <shough@sigaconsulting.comNOSPAM> wrote in message
news:<bh941q02fkp@enews3.newsguy.com>...
snip
> My question is, how do I propose my services to potential
> clients in a non intrusive way, I dont want to be
> that "sales guy", I want to come across as a good guy
> making a living, not Mr Pushy... I am wondering
> also any tricks to get past the receptionists

Some thoughts:

The company I work for is very small. Sometimes I end up answering the
main line when the receptionist is away, and when I do I frequently
hear some jerk stockbroker trying to reach the owner.

You're not gonna get by the receptionist. One of their main tasks is
to keep people like you from bothering the Big Guy. And the Big Guy
will never return your call. You can thank the jerk stockbroker who
calls 8 times a day for that. :-)

I echo what Kohan recommends. Do some scouting around and pick some
good candidate companies. LEARN WHAT THEY DO. Find out who the
owner/decision maker is.

Rather than waste your time trying to reach that person via the phone,
send them a personalized letter. Let them know that you're familiar
with what they do, and you can help them do a better job/save them
money/etc. I can almost guarantee you that they will open a
personalized letter. I mean a genuine personal letter, not a form
letter from a letter shop that looks "personalized."

If you have the time, you could also set up an individual interactive
proposal for them on your Web site. You could develop a template, plug
you target company's name into it, then include the unique URL in the
copy of your letter. Something along these lines:

"Bill, I really think we could save you 30-40% on your networking
costs. I've created a proposal for you that I would like you to take a
look at:
http://www.sigaconsulting.com/billscompany.htm"

I had a company do that for me a few years ago and I thought it was a
nice touch. It was unique, it showed they did their homework, it
showed they really wanted my business, and it got me to respond.