Newbie here! Sorry to jump in with questions!

Hi folks

I have recently started a freelance PC and Laptop repair business and am just ticking over. All my work is generated through Gumtree, Shop windows, Word of mouth and a few other online and offline ads including chip shop walls. If anyone knows of any on and offline cheap or free advertising methods i may have missed including any sites i can use to promote simmilar to Gumtree any ideas to boost business would be more than appreciated. I have listed as many ideas here on purpose in the hope it helps others too : )

Thanks

Jeff

 

Hi Jeff,

A very popular method near me is advertising in small village newsletters which tend to be distributed by volunteers to a loyal audience. These ads are generally extremely good value. Might be worth making a list of the small village/town newsletters around you and contacting them. If you want to know where to get one, the local shop tends to have a few copies.

Wishing you well,
John
Freelance Coach

 

Thanks

Thanks for the advice John. When you say new letter im not sure what you mean. I placed a lineage ad in the small local paper for 3 weeks and had no calls but if i could make myself less of a needle in a haystack i would be laughing. I will look into the newsletters as this sounds worth a shot. Work has picked up a bit through my free online ads adt last but it comes and goes and has no particular pattern....

 

Hi Jeff,

They are basically A5 sized folded newsletters containing local goings-on, reports from local committees, transport issues, who won the jam contest, poems about spring, what's on in the community hall this month...you get the drift.

But at the back, are about 4 pages of adverts for local services from chimney sweep to accountant, computer maintenance to decorating.

They work very well as advertising because people tend to keep hold of them for info and telephone numbers.

Hope that helps.

Best!
John

 

Newsletters

Thanks this would bring local work which is what i need. I will enquire in my local paper shop. Thanks again...

Jeff

 

John's suggestion sounds a good one. I actually volunteer my time to artwork the community newsletter in my area (a good way of advertising whilst contributing something to the local community). These sort of things will vary in form and means of advertising - the one here doesn't carry ads as such but local businesses sponsor each edition. If you have no joy at the local paper shop you could contact your parish council (or those for other nearby parishes) who will certainly know if there is a community newsletter produced for their area.

A similar method maybe to contact local school's parents associations - there may be some possibilities for sponsorship of events or advertising in event programmes to cover costs of printing etc. I'm sure you may be able to find other comparable organisations as well. Due to the nature of these sort of things the organisers are often looking to just cover costs or make a small profit and aren't aggressive in charging high prices. In addition it may work for you to be seen as 'doing your bit' to help local communities and schools etc which may well work for you.