Computer certifications are not as necessary as you may think when you start a computer business.  The type of client you are targeting does not have an IT manager.  These are the people who care about, or even know about, the various computer certifications you may or may not have.  

In fact, initials behind your name can cause more difficulty than they are worth.  Business owners will think they are paying a premium and wonder how it will help their business if you have the initials or you don’t.

For the most part, you’re not selling to a real IT manager. You’re selling to a non-technical, small business owner. You’re selling to someone who understands his business really well but who is not an IT professional.     Because of that, they usually don’t have an appreciation of the differences between someone like a CNA and a CNE, or the difference between an MCT or an MCSE. This is another case where it’s not absolutely critical that you hold advanced level certifications in everything, or even be certified in the first place.

If you do feel that computer certifications are holding you back and you have an inferiority complex because you don’t have any initials after your name, get some.  You can get really basic ones like an MCT on a desktop OS or CNA or A plus for instance.      

At some point it may be worthwhile for you to start working gradually toward something more advanced that you want to specialize in. However, you can’t allow yourself to get so caught up in your training that you neglect your business responsibilities.

This happens all the time and the new computer consultant ends up not doing enough networking thing, not doing enough follow-up, not going out on enough sales calls, etc…  Months and months pass and they’re running up bills for classes, have no billable hours and they have nothing to show for it from a business development standpoint.
    
Bottom Line on Computer Certifications
The lack of computer certifications should not be holding you back at all in terms of being able to do business in the small business space.  Many times being certified and having too many initials can be a negative. If you do decide you need some computer certifications, it is really important to set your priorities. Remember the reason you are getting the computer certifications is to build your business.  
In this article, you’ve been introduced to Computer Certifications. To learn more about how you can improve your knowledge about Computer Certifications, just click here now to get access to a free one-hour audio training program on 5 Easy Ways to Grow Your Computer Consulting Business.