start by calling on smaller to mid sized print shops. If you can provide value (price reductions), better service, and a friendly attitude you will get business. Part and ongoing training are critical. No customer wants you to get on the job training at their expense.
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Amen brothers
I broke my neck and after no one would hire me finally had to venture out on my own. Well after a few years I am still surviving. I made the mistake of doing alot of subcontracting work for one business and the guy screwed me good but now after a year away from him his customers are starting to call me. I have not solicited them but they have told me that they asked and he bad mouthed me so they looked for my name and found it. Get yourself out on the web. Make yourself visible. Do not extend credit until you can afford to lose the money. I learned that the hard way. Use craigslist and free advertising whenever possible. Network through anyone you can. Always have flyers and cards available. Target specific audiences like all the churches in your area then doctors and lastly finally the scum sucking attorneys. Print shops are good if you can do time and material but contracts with them will kill you. They will nit pick everything and want you to do the job for them. Barter work for services. Find a telemarketer and see if you can work out a deal. Walk door to door. If you get a call in an industrial park after the call drop off a flyer at every business in it. It takes lots of time. Hire your kids to place flyers or hand them out. Take every deduction you can track all your mileage and expenses. Find good online friends like Phil and talk to them. Work on the boards and share info. If you see a customer post in your area contact them.
And above all remember to laugh and live and enjoy your life and wife and kids cause it really doesn't matter after that.
Keep going
Brian
www.connecticutcopierrepair.comComment
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Bingo!! I stay the hell away from themPrint shops are good if you can do time and material but contracts with them will kill you. They will nit pick everything and want you to do the job for them.Comment
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i agree with the ups and downs. I am also out on my own and so far so good. I also found a site that is free and i can download and share manuals also. it is at 4shared.com dont want to take away from those that are selling manuals but some cant afford to buy them all. just a thought. i will be sharing sharp, ricoh, canon,toshibaComment
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This is a tip
RespectComment
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just a piece of advice... dont be a sucker...and don't overload your self with too many service calls because you need all the money in the world to get rich instantly. I only have customers that i think continously sustain my mortgage, car payment, insurance, education etc. ..and some savings for the future. At least nobody dictate me how much money do i want to make or beg for any increase when i'm doing great to my customers....good luck to all of us who has great vision in satisfying their customers constantly.Comment
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print shop????.....if they could have your services and parts for free, they would not think twice or thrice....they always think of their bottom line and nothing about you...Comment
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nick is right. don't get caught in the hopes that you'll make up for anything in volume. Remember they sell prints and copies, so they typically need "perfect" printing, high demands on uptime, have high toner coverage, will put the machine to the test on what substrates they can put through the machine, and will have high expectations on the number of copies and years that they can get out of a machine, some want 24/7 service time too. As long as you price and bill to cover your costs with enough mark-up and charge for your time then you will be fine.
Stay away from billing too, get a merchant account and accept credit cards. It's much better to give up 2-3% off of the top then having to bill/invoice and hope you get paid.
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