Business Pitches: Computer Help aimed at 55+

This idea comes after two elderly people approached me today, both at separate times, asking for some help with their computers.

My grandparents just moved into a new housing complex aimed at residents that are 55+. These homes are pretty nice, by the looks of things the residents are pretty well off.

What I am proposing is basically a "technology help service". I would go to their homes and help them with/teach them any thing that has to do with technology.

I'm really just looking to pick up some extra cash this summer before I move back to Toronto. There are virtually no costs since I would do all the work myself.

I think that I would start myself off by flyering the housing complex. If things go well my services will spread by word of mouth (this is a huge way Elderly people communicate. Everything from mechanics to the kid that cuts their lawn was found from a friend).

What do you think? More specifically I am looking for your comments/ ideas on:

What I should label the service as
Advertising
What services to focus on communicating
Rates (I was thinking initial fee + hourlyX)
Anything else

Posted By: Wilhelm Murdoch

Good idea, but they'll pay you in 10-year-old jolly ranchers or send you a check for $10 on your birthday.

Hahahahahaha. So true.

Wes, IT for the el-der-ly has always existed and always will.

Throw a branded t-shirt and some business cards together and you're good to go. Forget about a webstie because they wouldn't find you online anyways.

Work your network, go door-to-door, create packages of services, be available 24-7.

There is a huge market for it, but you have to remember that you're going into it as a business. They'll generally be friendly, and this can work both ways.

I think it's a great idea. The over 55 market is still young (pun intended).

Travis has a point that you should focus on traditional or physical forms of marketing to get their attention but Eric's right don't forget at least a basic site.

Eric is also right that $25 is not enough. I would charge $50 per hour with a $75 minimum per visit. Otherwise you are going to be running around you'll solve the problem in 10 minutes and the old people will want you to only charge them $15.

Make sure you layout your terms of service in advance so that everyone is clear.

Good luck and invest in Excederin and Midol works really well for bad headaches. 55 year olds and computers are like toddlers with Algebra.

I agree with everyone that the idea is solid and can be done very easily. Charge AT LEAST $30 an hour. Even if the solution takes you a half hour to fix, charge for the full hour. Only after a full hour consider breaking it down into every half hour.

Offer any and every service related to the technology- purchasing, setting up, installing, running, upgrading, usage, etc. You can also set up different set fees for things such as a wipe and reload or data backup. These tasks will usually take about the same amount of time every time it is done, so you can take the time it would take to do once and use that as your rate plus a little extra.

Traditional advertising door to door and flyers is going to be your best bet. Maybe a couple signs along the roads throughout the community would work as well. Just something simple "Computer Help/Assistance Call 555.555.555 Today" or whatever it may be.