What does my PC have to do with marketing?

For those of us in the technology word that love building stuff, we tend to take things to the extremes when it comes to our very own PCs. The tendency to build cool PC cases with lots of lights, overclocked CPUs and let’s not forget lots of water cooling! But wait…if you have an office where potential clients visit, why not provide an ice-breaker to start a conversation. Why not put your office and its contents to good use? Well, now you can!

For most businesses, buying computer hardware is a necessary evil. We buy drab, black or dark gray machines with a four letter word or two-letter designation for a logo. Yes, you know who I’m speaking of…don’t you? Mass marketed PCs are just that…mass marketed. So why, for just a few dollars more, would you not turn that drab PC into a marketing powerhouse?!? This past month, I started building my work PCs to match my home ones. Boy was I surprised in just how quickly they turned into a conversation piece. Even for repeat customers and clients that have seen what I can do.

As I built my clear-acrylic PC with blue LED lights and water-cooled CPU, I decided to put it on top of my desk for all to see. No more hiding the drab PC under the desk or covering it with sticky-notes. It is now front-and-center grabbing every eyeball that walks by the office. Think this may sound a little silly or over-the-top? Maybe…but if you do something that becomes memorable…isn’t that what we really want in the end? Being recognized as “that guy with the cool computer in his office” is just fine with me. I made someone notice and even if they don’t currently need my services, they might just refer me to someone who will. After all, isn’t that how we build our small businesses. Job done…

Now, I just need to find out if my accountant will let me write the PC off as a marketing expense. Hmmm….