Advice on making a little extra money

[5aq1b]

Hey, I'm currently in full time permanent employment now doing something I pretty much enjoy. I work in the IT industry for a large blue chip company and I'm on a fairly decent salary.

Having looked at various threads where people have asked for startup ideas, i noticed a lot of replies do tend to steer the original poster towards an area that they may be interested in. Well, my area of expertise is IT.

I would like to be my own boss one day however I'm not sure if it's worthwhile leaving my job to go down that route but I would like to make a little extra dosh on the side by offering my IT services to residents around the local area.

The only problem I have is how would I do this? I'm not 100% comfortable with the idea of sitting in someone elses house for a problem that sounds like a 10 min job but turns out to be 4 hours!

Basically, i'm just looking for ideas to develop some sort of business model and how I could make that extra dosh on the side.

Ideally, 400 extra per month could do me and the way I look at it is - "how hard could it be to make an extra £13.30 per day!?"

Any help is appreciated!

 

[Oakleaf Studio UK]

the way I look at it is - "how hard could it be to make an extra £13.30 per day!?"

Surprisingly, harder than you might think. Competition is fierce. Client acquisition costs are high.

However, if you have skill and expertise in the IT field there may be a way to capitalise on it for profit. Is there anything in that regard that you might be able to create a niche website from?

 

[5aq1b]

Surprisingly, harder than you might think. Competition is fierce. Client acquisition costs are high.

However, if you have skill and expertise in the IT field there may be a way to capitalise on it for profit. Is there anything in that regard that you might be able to create a niche website from?

I could offer a set price for a 'system clean' possibly?

virus scan, clean temp files etc for a set price?

 

[Oakleaf Studio UK]

Sounds like it could be a goer, I think £50 is about the going rate for that is it? How would you get the time if you're in full-time employment already?

If you position yourself correctly and push your background etc then don't see why that couldn't work.

 

[5aq1b]

Sounds like it could be a goer, I think £50 is about the going rate for that is it? How would you get the time if you're in full-time employment already?

If you position yourself correctly and push your background etc then don't see why that couldn't work.

Thanks..I guess I could use the time I get on evenings and weekends?

 

[mmajackw]

Hey, I'm currently in full time permanent employment now doing something I pretty much enjoy. I work in the IT industry for a large blue chip company and I'm on a fairly decent salary.

Having looked at various threads where people have asked for startup ideas, i noticed a lot of replies do tend to steer the original poster towards an area that they may be interested in. Well, my area of expertise is IT.

I would like to be my own boss one day however I'm not sure if it's worthwhile leaving my job to go down that route but I would like to make a little extra dosh on the side by offering my IT services to residents around the local area.

The only problem I have is how would I do this? I'm not 100% comfortable with the idea of sitting in someone elses house for a problem that sounds like a 10 min job but turns out to be 4 hours!

Basically, i'm just looking for ideas to develop some sort of business model and how I could make that extra dosh on the side.

Ideally, 400 extra per month could do me and the way I look at it is - "how hard could it be to make an extra £13.30 per day!?"

Any help is appreciated!

Certainly sounds like you have the drive for it. You may also want to look into commercial clients also. As a lot of companies make it policy to have all computers and IT equipment checked at certain dates.

As you mentioned you are on a good salary with your current job which would provide piece of mind and a marketing budget for your new venture!

My advice to you, as competition is fierce would be to do your market research. Have a look if you can have competitive rates, specialise in certain areas or offer a service which is unique/different to others! Good Luck!

 

[AlexandraS]

I could offer a set price for a 'system clean' possibly?

virus scan, clean temp files etc for a set price?

Dead. See this week's thread on that very topic. People don't bother with this stuff anymore, they buy a new tablet or upgrade their smartphone.

IT is a broad church, what's your specialism?

 

[garyk]

Hey, I'm currently in full time permanent employment now doing something I pretty much enjoy. I work in the IT industry for a large blue chip company and I'm on a fairly decent salary.

Having looked at various threads where people have asked for startup ideas, i noticed a lot of replies do tend to steer the original poster towards an area that they may be interested in. Well, my area of expertise is IT.

I would like to be my own boss one day however I'm not sure if it's worthwhile leaving my job to go down that route but I would like to make a little extra dosh on the side by offering my IT services to residents around the local area.

I was self-employed for many years then 2 years ago things got tough and I got a job offer from a very prestigious company in the city. I took the job but middle of last year was getting itchy feet and had some ideas I wanted to pursue. I left in Feb and its been alot tougher than I had imagined.

What I'm trying to say is if your're in a full time job with a good company and good salary you can be shielded from what is really happening in the real world. Yes we all hear the stories about the recession but you can be there taking a salary thinking 'what's all the fuss about?'.

When you are out there you realise things are tough, real tough and it isn't as easy as you may have thought. I'm not saying don't do it just spend some time doing detailed research and perhaps see if you can build something on the side first and only leave when you have regular money coming in.

Gary

 

[Socio South West]

Thanks..I guess I could use the time I get on evenings and weekends?

I have worked in the photography trade for a number of years, and seen many photographers develop evening and weekend businesses in addition to full time jobs during the working week.

It is rarely long - about 12-18 months on average - before they realise they aren't getting time off and are totally exhausted from doing too much, and actually they are quite happy with their Mon-Fri 9-5 salaried post.

Luckily what you are proposing to do doesn't involve much capital expenditure, so you could switch it off at a moments notice without leaving expensive gear depreciated and redundant.

Think carefully before you get too involved...

 

[5aq1b]

Thanks for the replies, some really interesting and valid points too which didn't occur to me either.

 

[5aq1b]

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The staffing agency is fully able to provide any kind of Temporary and Short-term Staff. We known as a best temping agency in London.

workers-direct.com

shame about your grammar.

 

[uMarketeers]

Hi,

Why not sell some our services to businesses, IT/Internet Related and you can grow with us. We have 70 clients + now and looking for sales people to help bring in new customers. The sell is really easy, three low monthly packages from £25 - £35 - £45 with web design, seo, updates, email support etc.

Also, why not go for our new venture - ICT Support

Give me a shout

 

[5aq1b]

Dead. See this week's thread on that very topic. People don't bother with this stuff anymore, they buy a new tablet or upgrade their smartphone.

IT is a broad church, what's your specialism?

I've worked in Desktop support for a few years however I've now moved away from the user support side of things and my role is now mainly Infrastructure based.