Do you think computer consulting is a good business?

**Phoenix** · 07-07-2004, 01:58 PM

maybe if you could afford a storefront, so they come to you.

make appointments they have to keep

then you are free to work on other things as well

**clickhappy** · 07-07-2004, 02:07 PM

Originally posted by Phoenix
maybe if you could afford a storefront, so they come to you.

make appointments they have to keep

then you are free to work on other things as well

yeah I just dont want to get into it to find out it's a pressure cooker business and hard to be successful at it.

**Mike Okitch** · 07-07-2004, 02:18 PM

Not a bad idea at all providing you have the patience to do it. I've done it a few times as a favor and nothing pisses me off more than going over the very basic.

Good fences make good neighbors. A couple ideas to think about is a smaller fee as a introducing offer. To avoid running around for small money, just charge more. Maybe something like a 2 hour minimum (at $50/hour). Or charge them on a sliding scale; i.e.: the more they annoy you, the more you charge

**RFlagg** · 07-07-2004, 03:36 PM

I've consulted like this for yrs...the key is charge the sheep enough not to bother you, and you'll have to play this by ear...usually 100-150 depending on the level of patience involved.

Small biz is a gold mine...usually technically ignorant, but educatable. And they can afford it.

2 real quick points,

1. with the exception of close family and very close friends, your time is worth "X"...charge accordingly. Standard "I dunno man...it just isn't right" calls start @ 100 bux

2. evaluate the scane before you agree to do anything, there have been so many networks thrown together by the "CAD" guys down the hall that you never know what you could be getting into.

good luck to you...
hth...

**Sosa** · 07-07-2004, 03:40 PM

have fun removing spyware and viruses all the time.

**genomega** · 07-07-2004, 03:42 PM

Originally posted by clickhappy
A lady in my apartment building asked me to help her learn her new computer and help her get online. and then I helped someone in my family learn how to make web sites. It made me realize that people pay this kind of stuff. And it's easy to do, so im thinking about doing it for a small side business part time.

My fear would be that I get a lot of small clients who pay $50 for me to spend an hour with them then they want support week after week. I dont want to run around liek crazy for small money.

anyone have experience with this?

Yes, charge them once and they expect help forever.

**crockett** · 07-07-2004, 03:43 PM

People will drive you crazy. I was doing repairs on the side for awhile, you would get people calling you for the most ridiculous stuff you could ever think up. I wouldn't suggest doing it unless you have a lot of patience.

**woj** · 07-07-2004, 03:55 PM

It's a pain... and unless you can find some bussinesses to work with you it doesn't really pay that well...

maybe if you set it up, such that people drop off their computers at your place and they pick it up the next day it will be worthwhile...

**warlock5** · 07-07-2004, 04:25 PM

Charge $100 an hour and outsource the annoying calls to india

Do you think computer consulting is a good business?

Do you think computer consulting is a good business?

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