SpudFiles

Long story short, for those who don't know me that well, the username "PCGUY" actually means something. I am a computer guy by nature, built/run SpudFiles and the server all myself, and my career is in the Information Technology field, specifically more Computer Technician/Network Administrator type positions.

I'm sure many of you know how hard it can be to get a job right now, and unfortunately I have been stuck in the unemployment statistics for a number of months now. I used to work for the local school district, but due to budget cuts I got laid off. I did the whole Best Buy PC Specialist for a little while after that for seasonal holiday work, but I much rather fix things then talk people into buying computers.

I think I've decided that in the mean time until I can land a great job, I am going to do my own local PC repair work. There are only 2 bigger local places here in Collinsville (where I live) with lots of unsatisfied customers. Then there is good ol Geek Squad who people seemed to come to Best Buy for as a last resort. I have done side work quite a bit, but all for people who specifically sought me out for work. I advertise a complete 0%, ask no one to help me get side jobs, yet people find me through friends/family/word of mouth to do some type of technical work for them. This happens at least once every week or 2 without anything from me, I guess because people are very happy when I work with them. At least that's what they tell me. They may also like the prices because basically any typical repair is at least $300 at Geek Squad when your all done.

If I am going to start advertising, of course I need a NAME! This would be mainly for home/small business PC repair and networking. I can't come up with anything awesome though. I don't want it to be super plain, something at least a little catchy. The best thing I have come up with so far is "Collinsville Computer Care" and it's kind of plain and cheesy to me.

Can anyone help me think a name?

Thanks 8)

Sorry no name right now. Good luck though.

I dont have any name but it should be having in it somethihg like help / repair to really tell people what do you do (especially if there are unsatisfied customers)

Computer Help n' Repair Service or something like that

Coltech

Comptech

And (what the heck )

PC Tech Services

Advertise debugging, virus removal, upgrades and software installed, initial setup (it's surprising how many people can't configure their email )

??

Good luck!

uhmmm... ......'PCGUY' ?

While plain - a surname seems to communicate your doing work you feel inclined to put your name on.

Smith Computer Service

In all reality I don't think metaphysics of business names matter. For instance a local computer shop is called PC Wizard. Reality - typical, long processing time, ...

As you've probably thought visual & audio branding techniques? On the radio a local bar called Toads just has 10x "ribbit-ribbit" in 30 seconds = annoying, in a form catchy. Possibly get a local rock/news radio host to endorse your company?

Something like Heineken with using two colors, green and red, of tri-opposing color wheel scheme. What I believe to brand Heineken is the commonly associative geometry of a star accentuated by being red on a less distracting green product.

With bad customer service at the other places just try and capitalize on the distinct margins they lack. If you work at Domino's "Pizza Hut sells stuff crust" (mozzarella sticks) invariably "I like Pizza Hut better, but they take longer to deliver" then order. Since Domino's made this whole 30 minutes (realistic time model) people polarize to the delivery experts.

Maybe something like "PC Doctor of Collinsville"?

I personally like PCguy
Maybe try something like PCGUY'S PC repair
Does the person who comes up with the name you chose get extra spudbux?

PCGUY's confidential computer repair

We won't tell the FBI about your "lolita" folder ^TM

How about ....

Mainboardboy's PC Domination Service

The Computer Whisperer

Nice one

PCGUY sounds nice, but a little unprofessional due to the word "guy".

I am going to do my own local PC repair work.

PC repair
Short and straight to the point.

I don't know your local laws about business licenses but before you use your towns name you better look into it. Circuit Court house the "court clerk" is the one to ask about that.

You can also check with the Small Business Administration. They will more likely then not refer you to S.C.O.R.E. Senior Corporate Of Retired Executives or something like that, hey it's been 15 year's ago since I looked into it. I didn't go their way, went out on my own...

My start up experiences...

If you fly by night like I did a good trick is to print up a shit load of fliers and hit the park + rides, mall parking lots, other office parking lots. I also stapled my business cards to each fly-er, that way people could have my number with them all the time.

Offer discount coupons on your fliers, (be sure to date them). That stuff really worked well for me. I only placed them out for 3 years and got a good customer base. People love coupons.

Repeat customers are great but keeping them is tricky sometimes. Me, I charge full price the first 3 visits then give 15% off labor charges, people really like that. But you have to let them know, I used flier coupons.

!!!WARNING!!!
Stay away from cars with cracked windshields and bad wipers!

Some people will try to take advantage of anything they can, like "YOU BROKE MY WINDSHIELD, I'M SUEING!" Yes those assholes exist...

Whats in a name....EVERYTHING! Should be descriptive, friendly, easy to remember and easy to write out on a check. I screwed myself on that one "Jarrod's Lock & Lawnmower Repair" You feel like writing all that out on a check? I now tell my customers just to write my name because people just want their stuff and go.

"Kyle's PC Repair".

Easy to remember and write out, or something similar.

The company name on the ink pins/key tags/fridge magnets/magnetic car door signs is high dollar advertising and not as effective. Been there, done that.

Feel free to ask any more questions, I don't mind helping.

Input/Output Computer Repair Services

FixIT - Computer Repair Services

I like theFixIT the most.. could be made into a good logo as well...

and IT is larger because of IT as in Information Technology..