Setting up Remote IT Support Services.

[matty.beds]

Hi, i am setting up a remote IT support service, and wondering how to go about getting clients ? Im still working on my website, but Id like to grow as much as possible quickly. I know other companies in the area hire remote IT support staff. Im asking if anyone has any ideas on marketing.

 

[fisicx]

Advertising usually works. But it’s unlikely to be cheap as it’s a quite high competition. Someone I know who does remote support has a £1000/month marketing spend.

 

[Mark T Jones]

Turning it around..

My tiny business is approached about 12 a week offering outsourced IT. Why are you different?

 

[matty.beds]

I providing CyberSecurity, Business Autosendmation and General IT, I can also provide training. At the moment, im just looking for ideas on marketing. I totally understand your point, 12 per week is alot, and i dont think that would be effective use of resources to blindly send emails or even cold call. Im thinking more along the lines of social marketing on linkedin as my main focus and maybe aim for local business groups. ping me if you want my website addr, it still in progress but ever thnig i provide is there,

 

[fisicx]

What makes you think prospective clients will be looking on social media for you services?

It’s more likely they will ask their current IT providers for help or recommendations. The chances of them finding you and then trusting you to deliver are almost zero.

 

[KM-Tiger]

I providing CyberSecurity, Business Autosendmation and General IT, I can also provide training.

That's all too vague to be marketable. You need to provide a compelling reason why a prospect would choose you over others.

Also to succeed in marketing your service you need to have a good understanding of why a prospect might be looking, and be able to answer their queries.

 

[Kerwin]

I providing CyberSecurity, Business Autosendmation and General IT, I can also provide training. At the moment, im just looking for ideas on marketing. I totally understand your point, 12 per week is alot, and i dont think that would be effective use of resources to blindly send emails or even cold call. Im thinking more along the lines of social marketing on linkedin as my main focus and maybe aim for local business groups. ping me if you want my website addr, it still in progress but ever thnig i provide is there,

What aspects of cybersecurity? What does general IT mean? It sounds as if you are offering very basic services.

 

[matty.beds]

This is why im looking for ideas...

 

[Kerwin]

This is why im looking for ideas...

Ah, sorry. I'll give a couple of hints that I would find helpful.

Learn how to use an operating system that runs various types of servers. I use FreeBSD, but Linux and Windows Server are other options.

Look into learning one of the big cloud providers (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud) and practice setting up a website with a database on those platforms.

You might also want to look into learning to program, as being able to write scripts to achieve various things is very useful.

I'd say try and pick a niche that you could fill. Everyone does Windows IT support, but is another part of the market lacking?

 

[fantheflames]

I don't think Facebook, Instagram or anything like that will work to advertise your new remote IT support business.

But I think you should consider LinkedIn as a more cost-effective solution. I'd invest in creating a personal and professional page, and set-up a regular blog.

As you'll need to spend a lot on Google Ads to get anywhere with the high competition against you, LinkedIn will work well - BUT it's a long-term approach for marketing/advertising.

 

[Paul Kelly ICHYB]

@matty.beds Before you launched your business and were writing your business plan, what ways did you identify for marketing and gaining clients?

 

[matty.beds]

Ah, sorry. I'll give a couple of hints that I would find helpful.

Learn how to use an operating system that runs various types of servers. I use FreeBSD, but Linux and Windows Server are other options.

I can use windows and all linux variations, inc whonix, qubes, freebsd etc.

Look into learning one of the big cloud providers (Amazon Web Services, Microsoft Azure, Google Cloud) and practice setting up a website with a database on those platforms.

I can use amazon, azure, redshift, heruku, and setup databases and websites. Im not a front end developer though.

You might also want to look into learning to program, as being able to write scripts to achieve various things is very useful.

I can program in python, java, javascript, c#, go, c, c++, ruby, and more

I'd say try and pick a niche that you could fill. Everyone does Windows IT support, but is another part of the market lacking?

My background is Cybersecurity, and looking to market that way.

 

[fisicx]

I can use windows and all linux variations, inc whonix, qubes, freebsd etc.

I can use amazon, azure, redshift, heruku, and setup databases and websites. Im not a front end developer though.

I can program in python, java, javascript, c#, go, c, c++, ruby, and more

Nobody cares. What the local business needs is someone to sort out their network and make sure they don't get hacked. You aren't important not are your methods as long as you get the job done. You need to get someone to sort out out marketing as it's not your area of expertise.

 

[macScot]

I can use windows and all linux variations, inc whonix, qubes, freebsd etc.

I can use amazon, azure, redshift, heruku, and setup databases and websites. Im not a front end developer though.

I can program in python, java, javascript, c#, go, c, c++, ruby, and more

My background is Cybersecurity, and looking to market that way.

Ignore the negative comments.
In my opinion, you have a really good skill set.

If I were in your situation, I would consider creating short and interesting Youtube videos and then use those to market yourself. Once people see you know your stuff and are available to work then you will start getting work.

Also if you can share your work portfolio via your website etc, e.g. apps you may have developed or even provide free simple but useful apps, it will go towards marketing your business without actually paying for this in cash.

Have you got any experience with Wx Widgets? and how advanced is your C++?

 

[Russ Michaels]

its a tough one as it seems to be an area where most businesses don't actively go looking for an MSP or IT support companu until something bad has happened and they need help. Most businesses just do not care about security or client data or GDPR at all and do not want to spend any money on it.
The rest are basically just ignorant that they need it in the first place, so becaus ethey are not looking, advertising won't reach them.

I have had clients who even after getting hacked (some multiple times), they just want a one-time cleanup and some magical solution, but still will not spend any money every month on keeping things secure and stopping it from happening again.

It's more a case of educating businesses that they need these services in the first place and what can happen if they don't have them. Which requires a good salesperson who can cold call local businesses and do this for you, without being annoying.