FREE seminars?

I was thinking if it is a good idea to offer free seminars to help
gain customers? I am working on a business for PC/Network repair and
thought that a good marketing idea would be to offer a free seminar
for say, the first 20 people that sign up.

I could help teach the basics of PC, anti-virus, wireless setups, and
a bunch more. I would keep the seminar to about 1-2 hours, no more.

So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?

In article <cn5gcq0rnb@enews3.newsguy.com>, Shallow Hal
<hallowman@hallow.com> wrote:

> So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?

The only "free" seminars that I ever see are for Timeshare sales
and investment scams. You will have to ask yourself how you
will avoid having your consumers think of you in these terms.

-john-

--
================================================== ==================
John A. Weeks III 952-432-2708 john@johnweeks.com
Newave Communications http://www.johnweeks.com
================================================== ==================

"Shallow Hal" <hallowman@hallow.com> wrote in message
news:cn5gcq0rnb@enews3.newsguy.com...
>
>
> I was thinking if it is a good idea to offer free seminars to help
> gain customers? I am working on a business for PC/Network repair and
> thought that a good marketing idea would be to offer a free seminar
> for say, the first 20 people that sign up.
>
> I could help teach the basics of PC, anti-virus, wireless setups, and
> a bunch more. I would keep the seminar to about 1-2 hours, no more.
>
> So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?
>

Free seminars are often a good way to find interested prospects. Just be
sure to have a means to collect names and contact information for the people
that attend your seminar.

Will you be targeting consumers or small businesses with your seminar?
Consumers can be rather fickle, so I'd recommend targeting small business
owners. You can follow-up after "wowing" seminar participants with a phone
call to offer your services.

The bigger challenge is actually marketing your seminar. Will you use direct
mail, local advertising, etc.? You might find after weighing the costs of
marketing your seminar that you would be better off just selling your
services directly and not giving away your advice for free...

--
______________________________________________
Alan H., MBA, MS
www.BPI-Consortium.com
MBAs and CPAs specializing in business advice online
______________________________________________

"Shallow Hal" <hallowman@hallow.com> wrote in message
news:cn5gcq0rnb@enews3.newsguy.com...
>
>
> I was thinking if it is a good idea to offer free seminars to help
> gain customers? I am working on a business for PC/Network repair and
> thought that a good marketing idea would be to offer a free seminar
> for say, the first 20 people that sign up.
>
> I could help teach the basics of PC, anti-virus, wireless setups, and
> a bunch more. I would keep the seminar to about 1-2 hours, no more.
>
> So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?
>

I tried back in '99. I did a good job, I think, of presenting the materials
in the right manner (small business audience), and I got the word out with
three forms of advertising.

Nobody.

Nothing.

I hope your experience is not like that. Consider providing something of
value to your target audience and charging them some money.

You're in a tough business, pal.

Mike

P.S. If you offer services, why would you teach people to perform the
services that you provide for themselves, for free?

--
This quality Usenet posting sponsored by: (Your company name here.)

"Shallow Hal" <hallowman@hallow.com> wrote in message
news:cn5gcq0rnb@enews3.newsguy.com...
>
>
> I was thinking if it is a good idea to offer free seminars to help
> gain customers? I am working on a business for PC/Network repair and
> thought that a good marketing idea would be to offer a free seminar
> for say, the first 20 people that sign up.
>
> I could help teach the basics of PC, anti-virus, wireless setups, and
> a bunch more. I would keep the seminar to about 1-2 hours, no more.
>
> So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?
>

Maybe you can hook up with an organization of some sort that has business
dinners and speakers. When I was in quality, I used to do a lot of
presentations for the ASQC (American Society for Quality Control). Also, you
should join Toastmasters, perhaps, to bone up on your speaking skills. --
Mike

"Shallow Hal" <hallowman@hallow.com> wrote in message
news:cn5gcq0rnb@enews3.newsguy.com...
>
>
> I was thinking if it is a good idea to offer free seminars to help
> gain customers? I am working on a business for PC/Network repair and
> thought that a good marketing idea would be to offer a free seminar
> for say, the first 20 people that sign up.
>
> I could help teach the basics of PC, anti-virus, wireless setups, and
> a bunch more. I would keep the seminar to about 1-2 hours, no more.
>
> So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?
>

Who are your target group? If it is consumers that need pc repair of their
personal computer, I think that is going to gain you business. If your
target audience is businesses, I think you will have to work hard to get
participants. Especially if you are in a somewhat large city.

However, I think you might have some success of giving free seminars to
current customers, to build goodwill, as well as potential customers that
are considering you as a provider.

"John A. Weeks III" <john@johnweeks.com> wrote in message
news:cn6a3i01euj@enews4.newsguy.com...
>
> In article <cn5gcq0rnb@enews3.newsguy.com>, Shallow Hal
> <hallowman@hallow.com> wrote:
>
>> So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?
>
> The only "free" seminars that I ever see are for Timeshare sales
> and investment scams. You will have to ask yourself how you
> will avoid having your consumers think of you in these terms.
>
> -john-
>

Or Home Depot. They offer free seminars all the time in an effort to attract
customers.

However, I wonder that getting the word out about the seminars would cost as
much as simply straight advertising? Of course, it is a form of advertising
as well. FWIW, I think it is a good idea.

--
--
Patrick
www.covot.com
small business tools

Yes. Free seminars do attract customers!

My suggestion would be to offer to speak at a Lions, Rotary or other club
luncheon where business people are already gathered. You would only need to
prepare 20 - 30 minutes of material and then be available to answer
questions after the meeting. You could speak on maybe only one or two of the
topics you listed and offer a "special" package to the attendees. Another
productive venue would be a Chamber of Commerce function.

Even if you tell people the basics of computer/network operation, most
business people are afraid of those machines. They would rather call someone
to take care of them than try to do it themselves. They have a business to
run and most just don't have the time or patience to mess with the tech
stuff.

One of my computer clients has a technical business - audio and video
production. Even though he uses computers for everything from printing
labels and order forms to capturing and editing video, when he needs virus
definitions updated or his email program configured, he calls me! The
arrangement works well for both of us.

The Kat

"Shallow Hal" <hallowman@hallow.com> wrote in message
news:cn5gcq0rnb@enews3.newsguy.com...
>
>
> I was thinking if it is a good idea to offer free seminars to help
> gain customers? I am working on a business for PC/Network repair and
> thought that a good marketing idea would be to offer a free seminar
> for say, the first 20 people that sign up.
>
> I could help teach the basics of PC, anti-virus, wireless setups, and
> a bunch more. I would keep the seminar to about 1-2 hours, no more.
>
> So do free seminars attract customers for businesses?
>
>