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Help writing an ad for new consulting company

mellestadmellestad Registered User regular
edited February 2009 in Help / Advice Forum
I am thinking about doing some consulting on the side and wanted to write up an ad for the local paper. Advice, constructive criticism and ideas welcome. Here is the rough draft I have so far:


Are you a small business owner with questions about Information Technology, but don't have an experienced IT professional available to provide answers?

Call xxx-xxx-xxx, email xxx@xxx.com or log on to xxx.com and we can answer your questions and help you make informed decisions about using technology to help your business succeed!




Edited to remove reference to calling after 5pm.

mellestad on

Posts

  • GanluanGanluan Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    It's not directly related to the ad, but considering most businesses operate during weekday hours it might be off-putting to have to contact you on weekends or after normal hours.

    Ganluan on
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  • RUNN1NGMANRUNN1NGMAN Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Ganluan wrote: »
    It's not directly related to the ad, but considering most businesses operate during weekday hours it might be off-putting to have to contact you on weekends or after normal hours.

    Yeah, that kind of seems unprofessional. Like, you're a kid in high school unprofessional. Just have your cellphone number and email, and answer the emails and phone messages during your lunch break.

    RUNN1NGMAN on
  • mellestadmellestad Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Hmm...not a bad idea, but how do deal with the fact that if a client wants to meet at 2PM it isn't going to happen? I might get tired of explaining that, and if there is a way to address it in the initial ad that might be preferable.

    Maybe just market it specifically to night and weekend clients who need support after hours?

    mellestad on
  • SerpentSerpent Sometimes Vancouver, BC, sometimes Brisbane, QLDRegistered User regular
    edited February 2009
    mellestad wrote: »
    Hmm...not a bad idea, but how do deal with the fact that if a client wants to meet at 2PM it isn't going to happen?

    Then you're going to have to explain that to the client.

    Serpent on
  • mellestadmellestad Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Which is why I thought mentioning that in the initial ad might be appropriate :)

    I suppose I could just market it as a online only service, and avoid that problem. Maybe write the ad with just a website and email, ditch the phone number? Then maybe that would set expectations at the appropriate level.

    mellestad on
  • RUNN1NGMANRUNN1NGMAN Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    mellestad wrote: »
    Hmm...not a bad idea, but how do deal with the fact that if a client wants to meet at 2PM it isn't going to happen? I might get tired of explaining that, and if there is a way to address it in the initial ad that might be preferable.

    Maybe just market it specifically to night and weekend clients who need support after hours?

    Lots of people do freelance work plus a regular job. It's not a big deal. But saying that people can only call after 5PM is a little weird.

    Just explain to clients that if they want to speak with you, they need to wait until 5PM, but you don't need to mention it in the ad. It's kind of a given that you're doing it on your off time.

    RUNN1NGMAN on
  • mellestadmellestad Registered User regular
    edited February 2009
    Good idea, thanks Runn1ngman!

    mellestad on
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