Hopefully this is the right place (if any) for this question...
I've been a graphic artist for almost a decade, but have been out of it professionally for about five years as I switched to the tech side of things (IT support and administration). Recently, I lost my job of four years as a PC Tech (level III admin) when the plumbing supply corporation I worked for imploded under its own debt, with some help from the banking system.
After months of trying to find work in my area (MI), I gave up, as HR departments across the board are looking to pick up desperate college graduates with CS degrees for cheap (people understandingly nervous with lots of college debt to start paying off, taking any job for very low pay). Seeing as I had years of computer skills under my belt (from Commodore PET 8032s and Apple ][s to present-day multi-processor UNIX server systems), I decided to jump into the consulting field, concentrating on small businesses which can't afford a full-time IT support person or staff.
So far, it's been doing OK, for a single person running out of his house with a cellphone and a laptop!
However, as I read more books on marketing my small business, I realize I've got an untapped market in the graphic arts fields. I've got extensive knowledge of most publishing apps (Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, Corel, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, InDesign, Quark), deep knowledge of OS X and other *NIX systems, and System 7-9 time.
What I'm trying to figure out is how best to market to assorted businesses like publishing firms, design houses, video editing houses, etc. I've got a flyer I'm trying to put together, but I'm looking for insight into what these types of businesses may be looking for in IT support. I realize that many smaller firms utilize 'internal gurus' to get by, but there's a point when even those 'pro users' can't keep it all running, and a consultant needs to be called in.
I'd like to know what you all think... if you received a trifold brochure in the mail, what would make you stop and look at it before automatically relegating it to the trash? Catch phrases, color bursts, photos or sharp illustrations, $$$, 'FREE something-or-other' offers?
Please pardon me if I'm stepping into the wrong place here. I like what I've been reading in these forums, and have even found post or two where I can hopefully help out, and I just figured I'd get some information from the proverbial 'horse's mouth' instead of wasting my time guessing what you'd be interested in. Keep in mind, any comments posted here won't be getting replies from me begging for business; I'm local to Grand Rapids, MI, and have no interest in pursuing long-distance clients! [img]/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Thanks for any input you may have, looking forward to reading!
Dan
CATALYST Techworks Consulting
I've been a graphic artist for almost a decade, but have been out of it professionally for about five years as I switched to the tech side of things (IT support and administration). Recently, I lost my job of four years as a PC Tech (level III admin) when the plumbing supply corporation I worked for imploded under its own debt, with some help from the banking system.
After months of trying to find work in my area (MI), I gave up, as HR departments across the board are looking to pick up desperate college graduates with CS degrees for cheap (people understandingly nervous with lots of college debt to start paying off, taking any job for very low pay). Seeing as I had years of computer skills under my belt (from Commodore PET 8032s and Apple ][s to present-day multi-processor UNIX server systems), I decided to jump into the consulting field, concentrating on small businesses which can't afford a full-time IT support person or staff.
So far, it's been doing OK, for a single person running out of his house with a cellphone and a laptop!
However, as I read more books on marketing my small business, I realize I've got an untapped market in the graphic arts fields. I've got extensive knowledge of most publishing apps (Photoshop, Illustrator, Freehand, Corel, Dreamweaver, Acrobat, InDesign, Quark), deep knowledge of OS X and other *NIX systems, and System 7-9 time.
What I'm trying to figure out is how best to market to assorted businesses like publishing firms, design houses, video editing houses, etc. I've got a flyer I'm trying to put together, but I'm looking for insight into what these types of businesses may be looking for in IT support. I realize that many smaller firms utilize 'internal gurus' to get by, but there's a point when even those 'pro users' can't keep it all running, and a consultant needs to be called in.
I'd like to know what you all think... if you received a trifold brochure in the mail, what would make you stop and look at it before automatically relegating it to the trash? Catch phrases, color bursts, photos or sharp illustrations, $$$, 'FREE something-or-other' offers?
Please pardon me if I'm stepping into the wrong place here. I like what I've been reading in these forums, and have even found post or two where I can hopefully help out, and I just figured I'd get some information from the proverbial 'horse's mouth' instead of wasting my time guessing what you'd be interested in. Keep in mind, any comments posted here won't be getting replies from me begging for business; I'm local to Grand Rapids, MI, and have no interest in pursuing long-distance clients! [img]/emoticons/icon_biggrin.gif[/img]
Thanks for any input you may have, looking forward to reading!
Dan
CATALYST Techworks Consulting
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