[aclug-L] Re: Freelance Technical Support

["Jonathan Hall" <flimzy@xxxxxxxxxx>]

> I charge $40.00 for the first three hours work and $20.00 after that. I
> think it's important that if someone is shopping around they see you as
> ultracheap compared to any storefront repair operation. Another thing i've

I suppose this depends on who your target customers are.  I would never
charge that little.  Most highschool kids charge about $20/hour.  I don't
want to be lumped in with that group.  But then... if your target customer
is mostly retired people (as you indicated below), then maybe that's
appropriate.

I typically charge $50-$100/hour, depending on the type of work I'm doing.
And people are happy to pay me (even retired people), so long as I get their
computer working.

Most "store front" type places charge more than that, so even at that "high
rate" it's easy to beat the competition on price without sacrificing a
quality image.


> found I can make out better on the 15 minute repairs is to make a trade
for
> the service (i've gotten antiques to sell on ebay and made a killing for
> doing a recover  on some excel file restores).
> Couple of other tips,
> 1. Get either a wholesale account for yourself or find a buddy with one
for
> parts so you don't have to pay retail.
> 2. Keep meticulous records of everything. (Contact info, Reciepts,
> Credits). Remember, once you make over $2000/yr doing this in theory you
> are supposed to report it on your taxes.

Actually I believe that figure is $400/year.


> 3. As above, make the trade for services with sr. ladys. If you fix her
> email in exchange for a couple of  pies or cookies or whatever, you have
to
> remember that they love to chat with thier friends and when they mention
> you fixed thier stuff you've just gotten another referral. I'd say roughly
> %20 of my business is with retired people and they are solid, repeat
> business. Don't always do it for free, just have to make a judgement call
> on when to do it.
> 4. Always have the customer sign a waiver that says *When i jack this up
> worse, i'm not liable*...and also always give them a detailed reciept and
> invoice. It helps for your records and the customer feels they are dealing
> with a professional.
> 5. Don't overschedule yourself.
> 6. If they do not have broadband access see if they would like you to take
> the PC and do all of the updates and patches. You can make a few extra
> dollars doing something thats necassary. Don't try to sit in someones
house
> on a 28.8 dialup doing XP Service packs, it'll annoy everyone involved.
> 7. When setting up the call anticipate what you'll need in terms of tools
> and CD's or Diskettes. (always keep a can of air and some tools in the
> trunk)
>
> Well just some advise from my experience doing freelance work. I don't do
> as much as i'd like to anymore but my current job keeps my schedule pretty
> full. Hope this helps a little.
>
> Regards
> Mike G.
>
> Michael Gunn CCNA
> Network Analyst
> Information Systems Dept.
> Hutchinson Hospital Corp.
> 1-620-513-4903
> gunnm@xxxxxxxxx
>
>
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