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Antagony · 07-28-2003, 09:54 PM

I have recently decided to try another experiment in business.

The idea is simple, and if it fails I won't be at much of a loss. Only small amounts of capital and time investment will be gone.

My new experiment is that of me trying my hand at some freelance on-site computer tech work. I'll post fliers around campus and around town. Probably put out an ad in the local paper and in the university periodical.

Here are my more detailed plans:

Initial investment - This is the only thing that would really count as loss in this venture. I require some starting capital for advertising, business cards, a few tools (mostly for appearance), and some decent clothes (I haven't purchased new clothes in 4 years. Most of my clothing is quite ragged.)

Business model - I will be working alone (at least in the beginning). The idea is that people call me at home and I make an appointment for on-site support. I will offer tutorials, hardware repair, software installation/configuration, virus removal, networking, upgrading, and eventually will probably include custom building of computers.

Pricing - For typical house calls I will charge a flat fee. I have yet to decide on the price, though. I will probably offer the option of same-day service for an added fee. For hardware and software, I will charge the price of the product (which I will pick up at a retail store) plus (I'm thinking) 20% for labor.

Difficulties - I have two primary concerns for the success of this experiment. My first worry is that of time. I will be juggling school, my part-time job, being an officer of my academic fraternity, kung fu, my personal life, and this new venture all at the same time. It certainly won't be easy, but we'll see if I can handle it. The second concern is that of location, really. I'm not entirely sure a gig like this will have enough demand in this location. I'm thinking it will work, though.

Timing - I am nearing the node, as The Art of War tells me. The time is nearly ripe and I must take action accordingly. This town will be bloated with people 30 days from now.

Other dangers - My biggest concern here is that of jerks. Some customers are going to be rude and difficult to work with. I kind of know how this goes since I've done some tech help over the phone. People just get really aggressive/defensive when they are ignorant in a certain area.
I now have new considerations though, since I will be dealing with these folks in person. For one, they may try to stiff me. I'm not exactly sure what I would do in such a situation. Secondly, a person may attempt to physically harm me. I am quite wary of such situations and attentive to my surroundings, so I doubt this will ever really be a problem. My skills in reading body language will also help minimize the danger here, too. Oh, and not to mention that my physical height tends to intimidate people.
----------------

So any solutions to being stiffed for money?

Any other considerations or ideas?

07-28-2003, 09:54 PM	#1 (permalink)
Antagony Psychopathic Akimbo Action Pirate Location: ...between Christ and Belial.	I need some business advice I have recently decided to try another experiment in business. The idea is simple, and if it fails I won't be at much of a loss. Only small amounts of capital and time investment will be gone. My new experiment is that of me trying my hand at some freelance on-site computer tech work. I'll post fliers around campus and around town. Probably put out an ad in the local paper and in the university periodical. Here are my more detailed plans: Initial investment - This is the only thing that would really count as loss in this venture. I require some starting capital for advertising, business cards, a few tools (mostly for appearance), and some decent clothes (I haven't purchased new clothes in 4 years. Most of my clothing is quite ragged.) Business model - I will be working alone (at least in the beginning). The idea is that people call me at home and I make an appointment for on-site support. I will offer tutorials, hardware repair, software installation/configuration, virus removal, networking, upgrading, and eventually will probably include custom building of computers. Pricing - For typical house calls I will charge a flat fee. I have yet to decide on the price, though. I will probably offer the option of same-day service for an added fee. For hardware and software, I will charge the price of the product (which I will pick up at a retail store) plus (I'm thinking) 20% for labor. Difficulties - I have two primary concerns for the success of this experiment. My first worry is that of time. I will be juggling school, my part-time job, being an officer of my academic fraternity, kung fu, my personal life, and this new venture all at the same time. It certainly won't be easy, but we'll see if I can handle it. The second concern is that of location, really. I'm not entirely sure a gig like this will have enough demand in this location. I'm thinking it will work, though. Timing - I am nearing the node, as The Art of War tells me. The time is nearly ripe and I must take action accordingly. This town will be bloated with people 30 days from now. Other dangers - My biggest concern here is that of jerks. Some customers are going to be rude and difficult to work with. I kind of know how this goes since I've done some tech help over the phone. People just get really aggressive/defensive when they are ignorant in a certain area. I now have new considerations though, since I will be dealing with these folks in person. For one, they may try to stiff me. I'm not exactly sure what I would do in such a situation. Secondly, a person may attempt to physically harm me. I am quite wary of such situations and attentive to my surroundings, so I doubt this will ever really be a problem. My skills in reading body language will also help minimize the danger here, too. Oh, and not to mention that my physical height tends to intimidate people. ---------------- So any solutions to being stiffed for money? Any other considerations or ideas? __________________ On the outside I'm jazz, but my soul is rock and roll. Sleep is a waste of time. Join the Insomniac Club. "GYOH GWAH-DAH GREH BLAAA! SROH WIH DIH FLIH RYOHH!!" - The Locust Last edited by Antagony; 07-28-2003 at 11:14 PM..