There are a lot of things that may seem simple to you but may be difficult for others (particularly older people who did not grow up with technology) to do. Do you know how to install apps on cell phones, set up printers, install TV streaming devices, etc.? Think about the things you know how to do and offer yourself as a consultant who can help your neighbors for a small fee.
PROS:
— Can be very lucrative
CONS:
— Clients can be very demanding and may not trust young entrepreneurs
— You may have to go into the homes of strangers
How to Get Started:
NOTE: Before you start your business, you should read the page on this website entitled “things to think about before you get started.” After you have taken the preliminary steps for starting any business, you can take the specific steps outlined below.
A website is not always necessary, particularly at the start, but for a tech-related business you want to have a great website to show your customers that you’re technologically savvy. Keep your website simple and easy to navigate, since your potential customers might not be very tech-savvy. Make it very clear what services you offer — and make sure it’s something you know how to do well. Keep in mind that, for many customers, even tasks that are simple to you (like installing an app) may be difficult for them. Also, you should suggest apps that people may not know about.
The most efficient way to advertise this type of business is steering potential customers to your website through social media sites like Facebook and Nextdoor.
Keep in mind, though, that many potential customers for this service may not use social media a lot — or at all — so you should also create brochures that you post around the neighborhood or distribute to each house.
How Much to Charge:
There’s a wide range for hourly rates for technical help, depending on where you live and other factors. Decide what one hour of your time is worth to you. Then check out how much local technical help businesses are charging, to come up with your own hourly rate.
Taking it to the next level:
Keep learning and looking for ways for improve your tech skills, so you can grow your business. Take classes, watch educational videos, or visit technical websites to stay up on the latest changes and updates. Expand your business to also including computer hardware repairs.
Taking it online:
Technical consultants have some options for running their businesses online.
You can make changes to the types of services you provide. You can offer online courses showing how to fix common tech problems. Or, you can do a combination of these two strategies.
- Changing your services to meet customers’ needs
You can still help your customers, even if they can’t bring you a broken laptop or nonworking smartphone and have these items fixed in person. Consider helping your customers with different digital and social media services.
For example, many of your customers are familiar with Zoom meetings. But some customers might need help setting up and running a Zoom meeting.
Some of your other customers might also need help using social media for marketing a business or promoting another type of organization. This leads to a great opportunity to use Zoom (or other apps) to do one-on-one digital meetings and consulting sessions with your customers.
- Teaching tech-savvy skills to customers
Teaching your skills online is a great way to expand your technical consulting business beyond your local community and reach new customers from other areas.
You can sell video courses teaching basic technical skills on teaching sites such as Skillshare or Udemy. Or consider sharing your tech knowledge on YouTube.
