How to advertise?

[jtek]

Hey everyone!

I have worked the past several years on starting a computer consulting company, known as J-TEK. My partner and I are trying to figure out an effective way of advertising to get our name/word out. We currently run the business out of both of our homes to keep the overhead low. The past couple years, we have run primarily on word-of-mouth and business cards as advertisements.

So far, it has been more of a side-business, but we are wanting to make it our full-time jobs within the next year. I believe this is possible, as we have a pretty large client base already.

Our business focuses primarily on offering home computer support. Once my partner and I have too many clients and cannot keep up with the work load, we have several independent contractors lined up that are free to offer their assistance. We offer them a percentage of the hourly rate.

My question is where/how should we advertise? We thought about putting an ad in the classified sections of local newspapers, as well as maybe an ad within the newspaper with our logo and a catchy ad campaign.

Anyone had good luck with that before? Or have any other suggestions?

[consumertreehouse]

Local newspapers, flyers, mailers, etc...... I have a signature for all outgoing e-mail that links directly to my website.

Use your car to your advantage, that is if you drive one. Use decals/stickers in as many windows as possible with your company name, web address, and contact information. You will receive tons of exposure as you drive around town. Also if you have friends or family who is willing to do this as well that is great and even if you have to pay them a small monthly fee to do so it's well worth it.

Good Luck

[stand856]

Who are you trying to reach with your advertising campaign, ie consumers or businesses?

[jtek]

Our target audience consists of mostly home users, but we also offer small-business services, so a mix of the two.

[consumertreehouse]

You're like the Geek Squad (No Offense) that drives around in the VW Bugs with Geek Squad painted in the car right? Make house calls, etc...

If you are driving from location to location I highly, as I mentioned above, use your car as a mobile billboard. It may not look pretty, but you will get priceless exposure for your business.

[JohnnyBudZ]

You're like the Geek Squad (No Offense) that drives around in the VW Bugs with Geek Squad painted in the car right? Make house calls, etc...

If you are driving from location to location I highly, as I mentioned above, use your car as a mobile billboard. It may not look pretty, but you will get priceless exposure for your business.

Great point. Lets put it this way, advertising isn't getting cheaper and we all know businesses NEED to advertise. So use everything you can. Your cars a GREAT medium for advertisement.

[Finandom]

Hi, I'm also running a computer service business. So far the best way to advertise is word of mouth and forum participation.

you can setup a site, full with computer related problems and then promote it in several computer forums. In forum, try your best to show your expertise and redirect your prospect to your site and collect their contacts.

this is what I'm planning to do. At this moment, I'm trying to build up a service system so that each my customer will get a complete and best service from us. This is a preparation for words of mouth marketing too.