Marketing Remote Technical Support Services on Craigslist

**Cognition** · 08-26-2009 12:05 AM

Due to the non-existing terrestial "limit" of my business as I am able to provide remote technical support for end users anywhere, I would like to know about Marketing on Craigslist.

I would like to start marketing my services on Craigslist to gain further exposure and bring in additional business, but I have some questions:

How many posts may a registered account post in a given day?
Is it possible to make multiple accounts to post several ads per day if there is a limit (of posts per day)?

Any tips and advice on this particular issue is greatly appreciated.

**dfveteran** · 10-06-2009 06:23 PM

Sorry to say, but people are slowly realizing remote IT is crap. For instance, a basic computer optimization/tuneup requires several computer reboots which you will lose connection. Programs needed to do certain software fixes are a flop on remote as well. What about re-formats or repair installs of the operating system? You cant do those remotely either.

Remote fixes are a thing of the past and you will surely have many unhappy customers.

Another problem is if the persons computer is slow because of viruses already it will take forever to fix the issue, if you can even fix it at all remotely. There are tons more problems that will arise as well.

I used to do remote fixes but there are too many cons. Your jobs will never be easy thats for sure. If you can even do them at all.

I suggest advertising locally on craigslist and making house calls. Thats what I do and I make really good money from it advertising on craigslist.

**dfveteran** · 10-06-2009 06:27 PM

Also each account is allowed to make the same post once every 3 days or so. So with your same account change your craigslist ad a little so you can post every day

**Cognition** · 10-06-2009 08:58 PM

I think you've been using the wrong remote support software. Have you tried GoToAssist Express? I've been testing it for a few weeks now and it handles most of your complaints below:

Originally Posted by dfveteran

For instance, a basis computer optimization/tuneup requires several computer reboots which you will lose connection.

GTA allows you to restart a PC remotely and automatically log in upon restart of the OS. Works like a charm.

What about re-formats or repair installs of the operating system? You cant do those remotely either.

With remote support, I can easily advertise that my firm doesn't do hardware-based fixes or ones that require a technician to physically be present. If someone contacts me with a problem such as this, I can refer them to someone else locally, of which I earn a (affiliate) commission.

Another problem is if the persons computer is slow because of viruses already it will take forever to fix the issue, if you can even fix it at all remotely.

GTA is not bandwidth dependent. It's minimum requirements are that the tech have at least a connection of 56K and the end user of 28.8K. Most, if not all, Internet-enabled PCs (even virus ridden ones) could be supported.

I suggest advertising locally on craigslist and making house calls. Thats what I do and I make really good money from it advertising on craigslist.

I HATE making house calls because of the added expense and time investment that they incur. I rather give up hardware-based services and focus more on OS and application support and add employees to my software account to bring in additional volume.

**dfveteran** · 10-07-2009 08:58 PM

Yes, I have used this software you mention. There are many bugs with gta (maybe you didnt find them yet,lol).

But if you are happy using it, all the power to you. Your fixes will be very minimal, or maybe I just like to do more technical fixes. I love being a technician on the road locally as I have many jobs each day and it keeps me very busy

Let me know if you need help though. I have been fixing computers since 1992 and I know every operating system out there. I have never seen a computer I couldn't fix.

Good luck with your new venture. I wish you the best. Whats good for someone else may not be good for you.

**Cognition** · 10-09-2009 01:01 PM

After a very revealing experience last night, I think I'm leaning more towards tapping small businesses (startups, essentially) for proving their remote support services.

Your average, home users can really make things aggravatingly difficult.

**dfveteran** · 10-09-2009 05:42 PM

LOL, yeah gta is full of bugs. I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way. You will run in to the same problems with small businesses also with remote.

If you can even find a small business willing to take a chance at remote fixes. Most small business want a qualified technician on the job site in person.

I recommend you get a junk travel car and go out on the road. If you are a qualified IT guy, it won't be hard. I love my job on the road. Even the most technical jobs are easy for me and I have fun doing what I love most.

Fixing and upgrading computers is my calling. But remote fixes are nothing but headaches. I have been there done that. Let me know if you need any advice.

**Cognition** · 10-09-2009 10:38 PM

Originally Posted by dfveteran

LOL, yeah gta is full of bugs. I'm sorry you had to find out the hard way. You will run in to the same problems with small businesses also with remote.

If you can even find a small business willing to take a chance at remote fixes. Most small business want a qualified technician on the job site in person.

Well, my experience last night wasn't related to the functionality of GTA, but the incompetence of the client. I'm wondering how much of a "headache" similar folks will be for me and the people who work for me. I'm not enthusiastic about the possibilities.

I think I want to tap the small business/startup genre by fulfilling the technical support needs of a small software development company or something along those lines. With a contract, I have almost guaranteed revenue and most likely, competent end users who know how to download a file!

**dfveteran** · 10-11-2009 02:56 PM

A good technician will never have to rely on a client to help with a fix or upgrade. I am not saying you are not a good technician. I am just saying remote fixes have too many cons that are beyond your control.

If you keep going with remote fixes, you will run in to nothing but headaches. You may even run in to lawsuits. May I remind you, remote fixes are a thing of the past and people have caught on that they don't work. As I said from the very beginning. Good luck with your small business jobs. I wish you all the best.

**Cognition** · 10-11-2009 03:47 PM

Doing remote technical support may just, literally, kill me.

I am going into proprietary software support.

**dfveteran** · 10-13-2009 06:47 PM

LOL...Let me know if you ever need help

**GJMiller** · 10-13-2009 08:27 PM

Nice think about a small business is you can also do a lot of stuff remotely. Yes you will have to be on call and be able to physical be there but, a lot of what I do is remote monitoring and server based issues that can be fixed from my home office. One thing I would take a look at is insurance, its cheap and it can save you!

**Cognition** · 10-13-2009 09:20 PM

I've been thinking about something.

If remote technical support is so bad, then why does GeekSquad offer services to remotely fix virus and spyware removal and system performance optimization?

What does GeekSquad have that a experienced technician using GoToAssist Express/Corporate can't do?

It just seems that if a person is bent on providing technical support the "old-fashioned way," then they are quite limited in their income potential.

Is narrowing services down to operating system issues and offering such services to PC users Internet-wide and avoiding the hardware-based issues such a bad idea?

It just seems that being only a local-specific (only being able to provide services to a local market) technician is a limitation of sorts, which I'm not a fan of.

I'm trying to offer services to a substantially wider market (domestic PC and Mac users).

**dfveteran** · 10-14-2009 08:39 AM

That's because Geek squad offers remote fixes for certain criteria. There are things they or anyone else can do remotely. I have a friend that works at best buy. He said most time things like viruses and small remote fixes dont work properly and other times they do. If the remote fix doesn't work, the customer is told to bring their tower or laptop in to best buy to complete the fix. Or the Geek squad will go to them for an extra travel fee.

There is an 90% chance that a remote fix will get the customer, whether it works or not. So, even if 9 out of 10 computers couldn't be fixed remotely, best will still have the customer bring it in to best buy to get repaired, so they get the sale either way.

If you are looking in to doing business like this, it will probably work for you as well. Once you have the customer, chances are they will still work with you since you say you can fix it anyway. Besides, the customer is usually lost at this point and they will try anything.

I'm not saying don't do remote fixes. I'm saying they don't work as good as people may think. Personally I have run in to so many problems with remote fixes. Things have to go perfect and as you know, only a small percent of computer fixes go perfect.

**dfveteran** · 10-14-2009 08:51 AM

Originally Posted by GJMiller

Nice think about a small business is you can also do a lot of stuff remotely. Yes you will have to be on call and be able to physical be there but, a lot of what I do is remote monitoring and server based issues that can be fixed from my home office. One thing I would take a look at is insurance, its cheap and it can save you!

I agree with this guy cognition. Most remote monitoring and server services are all done remotely. Most small businesses use these types of services and problems are solved remotely. Some issues will require an in house technician or someone to be on call. Most of these types of services require a contract and are very reliable to let you have steady work. So, if you want to get in to something like this, go for it. These services are very popular. Especially in the small business world.

I guess we are both trying to say. You can't rely on remote service alone. You need to be able to go on the job scene physically as well. That's why I am telling you to be open to traveling to jobs also.