What was the Computer Rescue Squad? And, if we were starting today what would it be like?
Computer Rescue Squad started in the very early 1980’s. Personal computers were brand new. The idea of having a computer and using it for business was a new concept. All of a sudden you had to have a computer. But, no one knew how to use them.
So the Computer Rescue Squad was formed with the business model of solving people’s computer problems. Rescuing them from the glorious pitfalls and conundrums the new technology has introduced. This included printer setup, writing device drivers to connect peripherals, training, retrieval of deleted data, creation of custom programs and hardware repair.
Given the nature of computers and given the nature of people’s tendency to get into jams there was no shortage of customers.
The trick to this kind of business is making it profitable. Turns out that many of the people in need of computer help are not able to much for the service.
So the key issue to a business like Computer Rescue Squad is making it pay. There are solutions to this. These solutions involve the following:
- Leverage of content
- Leverage of time
- Leverage of contacts
Leverage of content
All tutorials, research, and developmental content generated during the course of any rescue is asset. Ways to leverage this could be making youtube videos based on the content, creating standardized solution pamphlets, etc.
Leverage of time
There may be few potential clients that are able to pay $100 an hour for help. But, it is very possible to get five or more clients paying $30 to attend a help clinic. Then everyone at the clinic will benefit from the help being given throughout the event.
Leverage of contacts
It is not uncommon for a programming or website contract to come from a friend of someone that I helped with a rescue. So, to make this work you will need to have other consulting talents that can be made available upon request. This could be blog generation, website design, hosting recommendations, google analytics, google adwords, etc. This all depends upon your skill set.Given the diversity of devices and the number of confusions that people will run into, you may be called upon to help with everything from Mac to Win8, Android to iPhone, apps to desktop programs.