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A Guide to Working from Home: Computer
Consulting
The home computing revolution
and the advent of the Internet has made the dream of “Working from Home”
a very real and lucrative possibility for millions of Americans. And
this does not only apply to those who have found they can now
"Telecommute" in their chosen professions. Many have been bitten by the
next wave of entrepreneurial spirit that is sweeping the nation, and are
actually leaving their jobs to start their own home based businesses.
But choosing the right home based business can be a challenge.
Computer Consulting.
The “Home Business” revolution is based on one
thing Home Computers! And with all of those people starting home based
business relying on their Home Computers the need for professional
Computer Consultants is huge.
AT A GLANCE
|
|
|
Expected Hourly
Income |
30.00 –50.00 per hour |
|
Start-Up Costs
|
High, Moderate,
Low
|
|
Start Up Degree of
Difficulty |
Easy,
Moderate, Difficult, Very Difficult |
|
Potential Problems |
Competition |
Getting Started
If you have worked as an IT
professional now is a great time to start out on your own as an
independent consultant. The Home Based Business world is upon us, and
very few of these telecommuters and home-based entrepreneurs have there
own IT departments! If you have the skills to help people set up home
networks, recommend and install virus protections, and troubleshoot PC
problems you have what it takes to start a successful Computer Repair
and Consulting business. Even the “Big Boys are recognizing this huge
market as large computer retailers like Best Buy have initiated programs
like the ‘Geek Squad” – technicians who will install and trouble shoot
home computer set ups.
Even if you have not been
professionally trained in computers or IT, if you are proficient and can
learn some basic repair and trouble shooting schools you will be in
demand.
Start-up costs
Starting a home based Computer
Consulting business is just like staring any consulting business and
there will be some initial start up costs. But doing it from will still
certainly be far less then opening an actual computer repair store. To
get started even in the simplest way possible you should expect to lay
out about $2500.00 in start up costs. Assuming you already have your own
PC and “Home Office” You should incorporate under a business name, and
you will need a website. You also will probably have to invest in some
advertising – maybe a Yellow Pages Ad, and ad in a local coupon mailer –
which can be very effective for a consulting business of this type – or
a flyer to send or give out. $2500 – 3000.00 should cover costs of name
searches, registrations, licenses, incorporation fees if you choose that
route, and the cost of a mail drop address and box for you business and
the initial advertising suggested. As in any Home Based Business – if
you have left work to pursue Computer Consulting as a full time income,
and do not have access to health benefits through a spouse, you need to
include the cost of health benefits in your monthly budget. More
information on Insurance for the Self-Employed can be found at
www.insurancebudget.com or
http://www.nase.org/
Hours and Income
A Work at Home Computer
Consultant business is a full tie job, make no mistake. But you will
have the advantage of making your own hours, and not having a boss. As
an independent IT pro you can easily demand and get anywhere form 20.00
– 50.00 per hour, and can charge premiums for “House Calls”
Potential Problems
The greatest pitfalls to earning
a living as an Independent Computer Consultant is the competition. While
there is a great need for content out there, there is also a lot of
competition, and a lot of it from some very highly qualified people.
Your best bet is to advertise as we have described. Get some good local
clients and let the word of mouth spread. Also yo may want to consider
specializing. Find the most common problem that home based business
computer users are having ie: Security Issues, Networking, File
Conversion – what ever and set your self up as a specialist in that
area, and frustrated PC users will likely flock in your direction.
Other Resources
More Info on Independent
Computer Consulting
http://www.icca.org/
http://www.naccb.org/
Conclusion
The shifting paradigm to increased home workers has in and of itself
created new opportunities – home based Computer Consulting is on of
them, and one that is likely to expand. If you have these skills or are
willing to learn them this is a great home-based business.
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