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Cheap easy ways to advertise small computer shop?

EQTitan

EQTitan

Diamond Member
I've opened a shop that has good customer base but I'm looking to get the attention of those who may not know that a computer shop has recently opened up in their area. I'm looking to cover a lot of "ground" to get the message out to as many as possible on a very small budget. ($100 or less) grass roots!!!

Any ideas?
 
Do you have business cards? If so, put them in the collection jars/boards of other local businesses.

Also, why not make up a bunch of flyers and stick them in people's mailboxes? Seems a little old-school, I know, but it would work. You can get loads of flyers printed on 8.5x11 for really cheap.

Do you have a website? If not, you should get one. They're inexpensive to get and maintain and would help your business immensely.
 
www.bench-tech.com <father in law did it>

I'm making flyers but door to door doesn't seem like it would cover a lot of ground , what about grocery store leaflets for windshields? The printing places around me are asking crazy $$$ for flyers 1,000 flyers $175 color paper 1 color text
 
Here's one that worked for me.
I went thru my customer list and found businesses that were in some way computer related, if only remotely.

Then I made some flyers and asked the business owners if they would put them up in their stores.
Usually right by the cash register.

A bunch of people said they were in such and such a store, saw the flyer, and asked the person at the register if my service was any good. The business said yes, they worked on our computers.

Got some really good customers that way.
 
EQTitan said:
www.bench-tech.com <father in law did it>

I'm making flyers but door to door doesn't seem like it would cover a lot of ground , what about grocery store leaflets for windshields? The printing places around me are asking crazy $$$ for flyers 1,000 flyers $175 color paper 1 color text
Click to expand...

You don't need color. Just get black on colored stock.

EDIT: Also, no offense to your FIL, but if you're going to get more serious and your customer base is going to grow, you might want to look into getting another website done.
 
techs said:
Here's one that worked for me.
I went thru my customer list and found businesses that were in some way computer related, if only remotely.

Then I made some flyers and asked the business owners if they would put them up in their stores.
Usually right by the cash register.

A bunch of people said they were in such and such a store, saw the flyer, and asked the person at the register if my service was any good. The business said yes, they worked on our computers.

Got some really good customers that way.
Click to expand...

Great Idea I know quite a few local business owners, I did this in the office complex we are in and waiting to see what happens.

Trying to find some local wholesalers in my area to maybe work out some consignment deals, already landed a decent one for Dell 1525's @ $190 each with 1yr dell warranty
 
People who put flyers under my wiper get permanently removed from the list of companies I do business with. It irritates me have crap put on my car, and it strikes me as being cheesy. I prefer the referral discount myself. People like saving money, and if you do good work, your customers will be happy to recommend you.
 
Xanis said:
You don't need color. Just get black on colored stock.

EDIT: Also, no offense to your FIL, but if you're going to get more serious and your customer base is going to grow, you might want to look into getting another website done.
Click to expand...

I have a joomla one I have been slowly working on but looking for a good template.

www.bench-tech.com/test
 
lxskllr said:
People who put flyers under my wiper get permanently removed from the list of companies I do business with. It irritates me have crap put on my car, and it strikes me as being cheesy. I prefer the referral discount myself. People like saving money, and if you do good work, your customers will be happy to recommend you.
Click to expand...

Good point but how do I reach someone like yourself If I'm the new kid on the block trying to reach a broader clientel*
 
EQTitan said:
Good point but how do I reach someone like yourself If I'm the new kid on the block trying to reach a broader clientel*
Click to expand...

You say you have a good customer base. Offer existing customers a discount for referrals, with a discount for the referred customer also. It may not be the quickest way to grow, but if your work is good, those customers will be with you for life.

For some generalities, just present a professional appearance with your logo, colors, and literature. It would pay to have a professional design something, or at least run it by a bunch of people like us. I don't know graphic design. I can't come up with anything, but I know what good design, and crap design look like when I see it.

I guess what I'm saying is you have to look expensive, whether you are or aren't. Low budget promotional material gives the impression of a fly by night hack. Quality materials and lay out give the feel of permanence, and confidence that you'll be there to take of them well into the future.

Edit:
To more directly answer your question, I still use the phone book when looking for services I'm not intimately familiar with. Block ads that are professionally laid out, but not too extravagant are what I look for. That says to me the company does good work, but isn't super extravagant, and charges a fortune to pay for their advertising budget.

Edit2:
For an idea of what I mean by "too nice" a layout, think Geek Squad, or a store front martial arts school(Kims Karate if they're still around). These kinds of places have the budget, but not the skills to perform the necessary task. I look for an ad that says "small but skilled" when I'm shopping for a service.
 
Last edited:
local schools/universities are an obvious goldmine. mmm... make sure to have your site appear on top of search engines. also, retirement homes are always a good place because their clients may simply be trying to get on the internet for the first time, but don't know where to start.
 
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