for those of you that own business'

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

What is the best way you have found to advertise locally and nationwide? Any specific companies you would recomend? What is your monthly budget for advertising?

looking into putting together a business proposal to see about getting some financing for a company. any info would be much appreciated.

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[SSS 18734 5,000+ posts]

Advertising varies drastically with the type of business. You might want to mention what your plans are

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

Computer related business, selling custom systems and possibly managing small networks for local business.

 

[lilmaniac2 5,000+ posts]

I actually intern for a Angel Investor Group, so I have some pretty good outlines on how to write business plans to get money from investors. I'm actually working on one right now for a seminar we are teaching in a couple weeks. Give me a few days and I'lll send it and the speakers notes to go along with it. The seminar cost's $500 to attend, so you'll owe me

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

I actually intern for a Angel Investor Group, so I have some pretty good outlines on how to write business plans to get money from investors. I'm actually working on one right now for a seminar we are teaching in a couple weeks. Give me a few days and I'lll send it and the speakers notes to go along with it. The seminar cost's $500 to attend, so you'll owe me

sounds great.

 

[joetama 5,000+ posts]

Best way to advertise that type of business is reputation.

As for the local IT business stuff, I can comment on that. A good majority of business professionals I work with hate their IT guy/company. The way that we got our recent one was his reputation with several other retailers that we work with. He is much better than the guys we previously had too.

But, other than that. Local business journals, business sections in newspapers, radio ads on stations with a listener demographic you need, TV on business channels, have a good clean simple & professional looking webpage.

Honestly, I don't see how there is money in custom systems. Everyone of the local guys are either a whole hell of a lot more money than Dell, HP, Toshiba, Acer, etc etc or they build junk systems for less.

Honestly, for our company I would NEVER buy another custom 'local' built system because we have had nothing but problems with them. Right now we have all Dell and I can't complain, I don't remember the last time I've had to replace something in any of the computers.

To start anew be prepared to have some serious advertising costs to start. Reputation is important important important. If you can stay a float long enough to get a good/great reputation and you won't need to spend so much on advertising.

Anyway, I wish you luck in a very cost cut low cost business.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

Best way to advertise that type of business is reputation.
As for the local IT business stuff, I can comment on that. A good majority of business professionals I work with hate their IT guy/company. The way that we got our recent one was his reputation with several other retailers that we work with. He is much better than the guys we previously had too.

But, other than that. Local business journals, business sections in newspapers, radio ads on stations with a listener demographic you need, TV on business channels, have a good clean simple & professional looking webpage.

Honestly, I don't see how there is money in custom systems. Everyone of the local guys are either a whole hell of a lot more money than Dell, HP, Toshiba, Acer, etc etc or they build junk systems for less.

Honestly, for our company I would NEVER buy another custom 'local' built system because we have had nothing but problems with them. Right now we have all Dell and I can't complain, I don't remember the last time I've had to replace something in any of the computers.

To start anew be prepared to have some serious advertising costs to start. Reputation is important important important. If you can stay a float long enough to get a good/great reputation and you won't need to spend so much on advertising.

Anyway, I wish you luck in a very cost cut low cost business.

i will have some basic systems available that are not "custom" as well. i have worked out a few deals already on parts, and i am still working on a few other options as well. Web site is being designed at the moment, and it is exactly what you recomended, simple and professional. have shown the layout to about 40 people and all of them have liked it. I appreciate the info. I figured advertising would be one of the biggest part of my budget, just trying to see what amounts im going to be looking at. I will be marketing the average person and small business' with my basic systems.

 

[Captain_Ahab 5,000+ posts]

LOL..Always popping in at the perfect time.

 

[Lugnutzk 10+ year member]

You might want to talk to Ben Milne since he has a history of screwing over his customer base and yet manages to grow and create a loyal following.

 

[MikeofTulsa Moderator]

good one phat. but i am not associated with alchemy anymore which you already know. jeremy and i cannot see eye to eye on which customer base to market.

 

[95BlackGA 5,000+ posts]

I don't own an actual company, but I do a lot of in home computer repair. My advertising is through hearsay and craigslist. I restored a down network at a local fire department, and they have now 'hired' me to be their 'on-call' computer maintenance person. They've also recommended me to numerous customers. I'd say craigslist is one of my best, I can post what I do, and how much my base price is, as I don't charge by the hour, so that really draws them in to choosing myself over others. $50 + parts cost, and they have a custom computer. If it's cheaper to just buy something pre-built, I usually decline their request, and help them find the best price for a computer. I make about $800 a month. Not the best, I know, but it gets my 'foot in the door.'

 

[Mr. Opportunist 10+ year member]

I actually intern for a Angel Investor Group, so I have some pretty good outlines on how to write business plans to get money from investors. I'm actually working on one right now for a seminar we are teaching in a couple weeks. Give me a few days and I'lll send it and the speakers notes to go along with it. The seminar cost's $500 to attend, so you'll owe me

Would you mind sending a copy my way? //content.invisioncic.com/y282845/emoticons/wink.gif.608e3ea05f1a9f98611af0861652f8fb.gif

 

[_DjScrew_ 5,000+ posts]

I'd recommend craigslist, as a method cheap free advertising. I've posted maybe 2 or 3 times and have received 5 - 10 calls and then I got referrals from those people. Same sort of business, too.

 

[Flipx99 5,000+ posts]

prosper.com can help obtain financing.

 

[_DjScrew_ 5,000+ posts]

Computer related business, selling custom systems and possibly managing small networks for local business.

Building them? Do you sell warrantys? I'd never want to get involved with that headache. We push dells and then charge for setup & support. We do the small business network management also - it's not too bad. We have a few people who like to play with things and then point fingers when they don't work though. =/