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Martin,

I've often found businesses like this to be a challenge because there's no way of knowing ahead of time just who in town might have pc problems at any given time.

While I'm not usually a fan of traditional "branding", with something like this I think you really need to do different things to get your name out and around town so that when people do have issues, they think to call you first.

Personally, if it were me, I'd see if you could find a local newspaper willing to print a tech/pc column written by your client. This would help him get established as the "go to" guy for tech issues in town, and I'm sure you could easily find PLR content that could be re-purposed for this. He could also offer free training classes or classes on "how to buy a new computer without getting ripped off" - or offer up a free report on some computer related topics that could be advertised in the local paper.

HTH some,

Steve

Easy, is his shop in a large metro area or out in the suburbs ?

If so target keywords such as

laptop repair city name
computer repair city name
it support city name
virus removal cityname

I have a few more but it just really depends on how his locations and goals.

back in the day, i advertised for computer repair in the club houses,
such as elks lodge , moose lodge , and one other, that i cant remember the name ... might have been the eagles

those people are a little bit older ... have computers and screw em up all the time. need pretty consistent help.

they all have monthly news letters ( real world hard copy )

if i remember properly it was only about 25$ for a decent ad.

also. if you advertised in the newsletter you were then allowed to put flyers up on the peg boards...

those people were always willing to pay top dollar for some one on one training as well...

hope that helps some.

You could always create a virus that constantly gives them popups telling them to download an antivirus software he created...


Kidding aside, I agree that that some basic local SEO for online and then more traditional stuff for offline marketing might be the best route.

Is he wanting to focus more on business clients or individuals? Especially if he is doing it for businesses, think of places that business owners tend to gather.

He could also proactively put together a maintenance plan w/ monthly fee and give a discount if they go ahead and sign up even if they don't currently have any problems with their computer.

Business networking events around town are gold. And they're usually free. The first time he goes, nobody will know him and it will be a bit uncomfortable, I won't lie to ya. But the fourth time, he'll recognize and be recognized by ten people in the room. Trust me, that feels a lot more fun. And by then he'll have one or two of them as clients. The key here is consistently showing up, just like in most of life...pop in twice a year to these things and nobody will ever know who you are. Attend intensely, however, and you can give the impression within a short time that you've been doing this for a long time.

Simply go up and talk to someone: anyone. Exchange business cards. Call or email them the next day to remind them that you met.

The nice thing about being a computer repair person is that it's an unobtrusive role. You aren't trying to force yourself into people's lives, unlike insurance or financial planning or (lol) sales training--maybe I should start thinking more like a computer repair person. So when he goes up to chitchat at one of these events, people are going to be glad to meet him.

Unless he wants to commit to getting business for other people as well as himself, I recommend that he stay away from BNI for right now. Maybe in 3 or 4 months he can look at that. There are lots of business networking events around town typically; I know in Wilmington NC (click for an example, so that you know what to look for in your town--this one is consistently packed, no matter where it's held--awesome for the hosting restaurant!) there are several that rotate through various restaurants and other venues around the town. You can usually meet new people even after you've been going for awhile, because there's always someone who just decided to go today.

But after a few months, you should probably have an effective referral system in place so these folks that now know you can drive hot leads your way.

Lastly, I have also seen signs at busy corners on weekends bring in work for IT shop and landscaper clients.

If it were my client, I would first do some local SEO for the services they offer plus city or cities that they service. I would then create a facebook page, and have a sign-up for free tips to make your computer faster ETC, as you start to build your local list on FB then you can start weekly tips etc, before you know it you will have customers contacting you wanting help on their computer, Run small specials to get people to call you, $29.00 clean up etc

Have his computer certifications posted on the walls of his business. Run a coupon ad promoting a "free computer check" in the newspaper. Once people come into his business, have him check out their computer to see if it's free of adware, spyware, virus, and other threats. At the end of the free check, give each prospect a business card, and tell them to come back if they have any other problems. Plus, offer each prospect a deal that "increases computer speed". He could probably charge $50 from this alone and make a killing. The more prospects he gets into his business, the more money he'll more than likely make. Also, make sure he gathers the name and mailing address of the prospects so that he can follow up on them every month.

Get him to consider / list what he can do, and then have him consider more broadly what he can do other than sit in his shop waiting. Could he advertise to buy old computers, fix them up and sell refurbed computers? Advertise those - newspaper or just a flyer. If he did his own flyer of "here are our refurbed computers" like monthly or something....he is also at the same time, building his brand (make sure the flyer makes it clear he is the fix-it guy).

Could he go into a school or something else like a club/library/prison etc and do some work for them and get a press release in the local paper to build credibility?

Could he give a presentation somewhere on how to take care of your computer?

Here's an idea that you'll like:

Get in touch with guys who install internet access into homes and offices, and find someone who is willing to give out your friend's "computer repair" business cards (make sure you have a discount code or a coupon on it for even better results) to each of the home/business owner that he/she installs the internet for.

The day when their computer breaks down will come sooner or later, and guess who are they going to call when that happens? I bet its going to be your friend. : )

Can you give us a bit more information about his services?

Standard computer repairs doesn't require tons of efforts because you become people's "computer repair guy" and they contact you every time they have the slightest computer issue.

Afaik there's more money in services like networking (computer networks), ans as many recommended, you'd go the chamber of commerce route for that.

Did he do a Google Places site? Can he do remote computer repair help? (I.E. be a helpdesk with the ability to take over the customer's computer to troubleshoot and repair software). He can charge a monthly or yearly fee for that.

Maybe blanket some middle to upper class neighborhoods with a coupon of some type using the Every Door Direct Mail program from the USPS. It's important for him to get a client base as quick as possible and make sure you have a sales funnel set up for them with email marketing.

Sounds simple, but there is a guy in my local market who is always posting computer repair tips and tidbits about this or that related to making your computer faster on facebook. That's obviously a quick way to build up a local presence. Utilizing Social Media Properly!