This Blue Couch

NOTE: This Offer is Case-By-Case now and pretty much expired.

Do You Want Easy IT Support?

(Photo: Easy IT Support)Everybody wants easy IT support.  Or better put, we all have IT problems, and we want problems solved.  I worked as a help desk IT for the U.S. Coast Guard, with over 40,000 employees and offices (stations and bases, rather) all over the world for 12 years.  It was hell. 

Well let me rephrase.  It was exciting in that I traveled all over the world and covered really unique IT challenges like carrying an 80 pound Dell 2600 Server through Customs in Kuwait.  I also climbed a 600 ft transmission tower in Kodiak, AK to certify at that height, and scaled down an 80 ft lighthouse in Jacksonville, FL to repair hurricane damage to a cable.

I've linked up Coast Guard Patrol Boats in San Juan, PR via satellite to FBI data, to help catch repeat smugglers via fingerprint swipes while out at sea, and I was part of the team that expanded the U.S. Coast Guard Wide Area Network into Bahrain, and underway assets there.  I was stationed there for a year and did the physical install of all the Domain Controllers.

IT work was exciting, in that sense!  I loved every minute of it.  But IT Help desk work is hell.  The reality about Information Systems Technology is that it is always breaking!  It glitches.

Take Advantage of this Introductory Offer

I offer you the chance to bring an IT on-board to poke around and give you a hand with your small business technology.  This is for a limited time only!

As much as my 12 years help desk experience was "painful," it made me a versatile, sharp technician that gave me an instant business edge over competitors.  I am forever grateful for that!  When I have ideas, they launch.  That simple.  I have the technical know-how to reach prospects, network with contributors, and bring impressive web platforms to life in today's Information Age.

• I debug website code.
• I overcome network problems through a fundamental understanding of computer communications, and electrical theory.
• I grasp "big" solutions for smaller businesses, like how an affordable Key System Unit phone system might benefit your B&B, or how extending WiFi spots in your cafe' will keep customers around longer.

On top of all of this, I speak like a business owner because I am one.  I relate to the entrepreneurial spirit because I have it, and I communicate in non-tech layman talk because I've been in the field so long with end users (like you) trying to tell them how to stop breaking their stuff.  Stop breaking your stuff, btw!  Most of your computer problems are caused by you.

Let's Blend Business and IT to Benefit You!

This all comes together to benefit you.  I'm thrilled to work with other business owners and entrepreneurs because I'm fascinated by our ventures, and I'm a firm believer in what we bring to the community.  I also want to collect more data about Business IT needs to keep an ear to the industry.  So I offer problem solving for you, personalized and live via video conferencing, with extended email correspondence.

We can chat on Skype, connect with email, or find any other way to get face to face, to go over how to make your business more efficient with IT solutions. If you're in NYC, we can meet for coffee and scribble on napkins.

This is for anything IT

No question is too small, and they are all worth getting some feedback on!  If it's Business IT related, and you're in business, I want us to connect.

Try it Out

To roll a field technician out, from any modest priced provider, you're looking at $60 an hour, just to hit the road.  I've been doing this for over 12 years and would charge much more than that.  BUT, I want to collaborate, and I'm a gigantic fan of creating mutual value. 

For this limited time offer, for face-to-face colaboration, and extended email correspondence, I'm asking for three things: coffee, some Twitter love, and a small attribution link on your website.  That's it.

1. Buy me two coffees for our chat together.  If it's night time, you can call it beer, but the Buy Now button will take care of that for $10.

2. Go to Twitter.com and find me as @ChadTabary, and click the Follow button.  I don't collect emails, I don't send out any monthly newsletter.  Just add me there.

3. Add a small "Business IT Support by This Blue Couch" link in the footer of your website, just like you see here.  If we're digging into your website during the consultation, I'll take care of that for you, and show you how it's done.

This is a steal.  Do it now, and we'll be rolling asap, working on ways to make your online presence more coordinated and less painful, or figuring out what simple IT solutions will increase revenue for your business. 

100% Money-Back Guarantee if It Doesn't Work for You.

This consultation isn't going to work for everyone.

Don't worry, I'm not stealing coffee.  If we find out that your needs are above my head, you're getting your coffee money back.  I'll even add a dollar to make up for any PayPal fee.

Secondly, not every business owner is prepared for this kind of consultation.  I have spent countless hours with customers at all levels of technical know-how and there are two that are the most frustrating to work with...for both customer and technician.

1. If you are adamantly bitter about adopting technology, and frequently say things like, "this is one giant piece of crap!" our consultation together won't do either of us any good, and I'll politely return your coffee cash.
2. If you are struggling with very rudimentary computer issues like checking your email, technical IT support at this level is not going to help you very much.  It will only waste your time.  I mentioned that no question is too small, and it's not.  Bounce it off me, but I might have to respectfully point you toward a different source, before I can help you out.

If you're worried about the latter, or suspect the former, contact me with no obligation to continue, just bounce it off me.  Please put "Business IT Support" in the subject line, to help me screen my emails better and not delete yours.

Terms and Conditions

This offer is limited to business owners, which includes independent operators, freelance service providers, or part-time business owners (the moonlighters).  If you're filing Schedule C's or Corporate Tax Returns every year, you qualify.

Please understand that I'm not offering to become your personal IT.  This is a consultation.  I won't be available to your every beck and call.  My goal is to collaborate with you, to create value together, and help you increase your efficiency using Business IT Solutions as leverage.  I want to teach you how to fish, and not just give you a fish.

I'm offering a video conference of 30 minutes, with 10 days of extended email access, to ask as many questions as you like.  I will generally reply within three hours.  If you're in NYC, we can do a face-to-face.  I frequently give much more to business owners, and am still in touch with some I helped in 2006, but for the sake of managing expectations, this offer is limited to the above.

Lastly, I can't, and won't be liable if you break your IT stuff after talking to me.  You agree that I cannot be held liable for your mistakes.

What Should You Do Next?

Those are all pretty straight forward.  If you accept the terms, and take me up on my offer, you will leave feeling more confident about your business IT systems, and be relieved of annoying stress.  I want that for you!  Our objective is to build relationships and create value.  I want you to tap into my experience to make your business responsibilities easier.

Let's get started!  Use the secure Buy Now button below to deliver some coffee.  Thinking about the aroma of fresh grounds brewing should make you smile! 

In the Special Instructions during Checkout, tell me how you want to be contacted.  You'll get a confirmation receipt by email, and I'll email back a friendly "Hello."

(Photo: Don't forget to "Add" contact instructions.)

When you've done that, go to Twitter.com and click the Follow button on @ChadTabary.  If you don't have a Twitter account, it's free, and easy to setup.  Follow their directions to create one, and I'll explain why it's handy when we get together.  It's handy!  Twitter sends me an email when you follow, and the double indication between PayPal and Twitter, tells me that you and I have some time to share.

If you know how to add the "Business IT Support by This Blue Couch" link in your webpage footer, then throw it in there.  But if not, we'll cover that, as well as a load of other web stuff while we're talking.

Get Inspired and Get Creative!

Throw it at me.  If you have a problem or IT question that I haven't run into before, I will personally make you a video and front post it on this blog declaring that I was stumped, with a smile, and a description of your unique IT glitch.  It won't happen.  I've fallen through a VIP's desk before, blown up power supplies because of mismatched voltages abroad, and reset critical servers on accident, hoping an entire leg of operations didn't notice.

I've been around that IT block!  But I welcome the challenge anyway.  ...and I promise I won't blow up your power supply.

Looking for More?

• You might want to browse through the rest of the Business IT series.
• You can also read about why I recommend Squarespace, and do it yourself.
• Or you can shoot me an email with a specific question (remember to use Subject: "Business IT Support").