| The IT business is usually run on one of three | | | | Now, when I go into a clients office, I use an app |
| pricing models, hourly, pre-paid blocks and | | | | on my iPhone to scan the other offices in the |
| computer maintenance contracts. Although hourly | | | | area for wireless networks and test their security. |
| can be the most lucrative, a savvy computer guy | | | | Is the network open? Did they change the router |
| will lock his clients in with a contract to assure his | | | | password? Are they on channel 6 like every |
| financial future. When times are slow, a contract | | | | other office? Armed with this information, you |
| still pays out but an hourly guy will take a beating | | | | can walk into an office and tell them you were at |
| as his clients cut back on service calls. | | | | your client's office down the hall and you noticed |
| Finding new clients for a computer service | | | | problems with their wireless network and you can |
| business can be difficult. Some IT businesses | | | | then list their issues. Hand them a business card |
| depend on the phone book or their website to | | | | and let them know your company handles these |
| get them business and most depend on word of | | | | types of security issues. |
| mouth. No one wants to walk into an office with | | | | Getting new clients for a computer business is all |
| their business card and give a 30 second sales | | | | about trust and that is why you will acquire most |
| pitch to the office manager. When I first started, | | | | of your clients by word of mouth, but using the |
| this is how I acquired some of my first | | | | wireless network approach is a good way to get |
| customers, but word of mouth is the best | | | | your foot in the door. You've explained that you |
| method once you have a few clients. That's what | | | | already work for another business in the building |
| I thought until I discovered a new technique. | | | | and you told them about their security flaws, so |
| Many companies are using wireless networks | | | | you have established trust with them in the first |
| these days and many of them just purchase a | | | | few minutes of your conversation. They want |
| wireless router, plug it in and they never touch it | | | | someone they can trust to handle their office |
| again. I find that these businesses don't change | | | | equipment and they will be more willing to enter in |
| the default passwords, the wireless channel is | | | | a computer maintenance contract if they trust |
| almost always on channel 6 and their wireless | | | | you. |
| network is left open for anyone to use. | | | | |