How did/are you hustling your business?

[Winchester]

I have been doing my own company (computer/web consulting) on the side since February 1st, it has made pretty decent money for absolutely no advertising almost all by word of mouth. I am now wanting to chase it full time so what suggestions do you guys have about going door to door to businesses etc. I did it for a couple of weeks in February until I got on my feet, but I got more rude turn downs from businesses than girls. My current rate is $38/hr but I have been thinking about raising it. In my town, you either see people in the thrifty nickel charging $20-25/hr or other consulting companies charge $75 (for college interns) to $250. I do not want to screw people on $ but provide them with better service. Did you charge business and residential different amounts?

 

[Winchester]

?

 

[Fritzo]

I used to get $60/hr for homes, $100/hr for companies. I have a BS in CS and some certifications under my belt though, so I'm not sure of your qualifications.

 

[rh71]

$38/hr for what kind of work exactly ? How's your portfolio ?

Anyway, to answer the question, I think door-to-door is always met with rudeness. Try taking out ads and putting up flyers in local places. Local businesses want websites, but only if you seem professional about it.

 

[Ausm]

I charge 45-50 for residential and 75-100 for business. I have doing computer work on the side for 8 years now.

Ausm

 

[Winchester]

I have been charging $38 for everything which is why I have been considering raising it. I have about 30 clients, about half home, half business.

BTW: I was a Network Admin for a medium size business up until last friday. I turned in my two weeks notice... two weeks ago. Resigned, didnt get fired.

What process did you guys take when you walked through a door to solicit?

 

[BatmanNate]

I have a furry purple hat and a cane.

 

[K1052]

We lure people in with the promise of entertainment, hit them with big shiny pictures/good smells, and then proceed to rob them blind.

 

[Encryptic]

Originally posted by: Winchester
I have been doing my own company (computer/web consulting) on the side since February 1st, it has made pretty decent money for absolutely no advertising almost all by word of mouth. I am now wanting to chase it full time so what suggestions do you guys have about going door to door to businesses etc. I did it for a couple of weeks in February until I got on my feet, but I got more rude turn downs from businesses than girls. My current rate is $38/hr but I have been thinking about raising it. In my town, you either see people in the thrifty nickel charging $20-25/hr or other consulting companies charge $75 (for college interns) to $250. I do not want to screw people on $ but provide them with better service. Did you charge business and residential different amounts?

I've got a freelance web design business with my wife that I do on the side in addition to my day job. Word of mouth has gotten us some business, but we've also done some advertising that has helped. We've barely been in business for a year, but we've been reasonably successful. Here's some of the stuff we've done:

- Mass mailings to local businesses with a short intro letter and brochure listing the stuff we offer. This got us a few bites, including our first client who then referred a friend to us for a website

- Advertised in a local free weekly magazine. This got us another client who recently referred a friend to us, as well as a marketing company that contracted us to redesign a website for one of their clients.

- If you've got Craig's List in your area, you might check them out too. We just recently contracted with a marketing guy to do some ongoing work because we found a posting from him on Craig's List. CL is free to post on and there's plenty of people looking for computer/web design experts from what I've seen.

 

[Winchester]

Thank you Encryptic. That is the stuff I am looking for.

 

[Descartes]

I own a small consulting business (software development, mentoring, training, business solutions development things) as well, but I only target businesses. Of course, most residences have little need for what I do, although I do get a lot of requests to deal with residential problems.

I don't know about the door-to-door thing, but I have no problem cold-calling a business. I try to build really good relationships with my clients, so I don't have a problem even asking them to refer me to another potential client. I will generally compensate the referrer for doing so. I would try a few cold-calls at first to see what you get.

 

[yoda291]

I charged either on a project basis or upwards 100-250/hr for freelance consulting work. BUT, most of my freelance work involves doing architectural/infrastructure work with a good amount of code involved generated by hand. Not the hardest job, but potentially costly if done poorly. Generally, I got work through word of mouth.

 

[Winchester]

I am really more interested in doing Web Design since I can do it "anytime." I have done several websites for people/businesses and a band. I dont think the market would be too saturated on that, at least locally.

 

[mobobuff]

Local newspaper
Website
Local high school newspaper
Local television ad
Word of mouth

 

[BustaBust]

....On the street

Can make $80-$90 on each "sale"

All jokes aside, I am still young and this thread is what I have been looking for as well.

 

[Winchester]

bump for the afternoon crowd.