Ask an MSP Expert is a weekly advice column answering common questions from MSPs and IT service providers. It covers topics ranging from pricing and selling to marketing and communications—and everything in between.
Tag: Ask an MSP Expert
Ask an MSP Expert: What if my MSP gets hacked?
Ask an MSP Expert: What if my MSP gets hacked?
Q: Recently, the Department of Homeland Security issued a warning stating that advanced persistent threat actors are now targeting MSPs. We work with customers in highly regulated industries, so we have a lot of sensitive data to protect. What should I...
Ask an MSP Expert: How can we expand our IT service business internationally?
Ask an MSP Expert: How can we expand our IT service business internationally?
Q: The managed service business is very competitive and sometimes the United States feels saturated with IT providers. My business is strong and I’m primed to grow it. Are there any options for expanding internationally? Good question! For insights on...
Ask an MSP Expert: How can we proactively plan for the next storm?
Ask an MSP Expert: How can we proactively plan for the next storm?
Q: Luckily, our area wasn’t affected by Hurricane Florence — but we might not be so lucky next time. What are some steps we can take to ensure that our SMBs have foolproof disaster recovery plans in place? Natural disasters...
Ask an MSP Expert: How can my MSP get the most value out of a tradeshow?
Ask an MSP Expert: How can my MSP get the most value out of a tradeshow?
Q: My business is a new managed service provider and we are looking to get our name out there and make some connections in the industry. We’ve heard that a way to do this might be to attend some tradeshows....
Ask an MSP Expert: Navigating the bid process for government clients
Ask an MSP Expert: Navigating the bid process for government clients
Q: My MSP has never gone after government business, I have wanted to, but I keep getting scared away by the whole bidding process. How complicated is it? An excellent MSP opportunity may be hiding in plain sight. Many MSPs...
Ask an MSP Expert: How to effectively manage multiple teams
Ask an MSP Expert: How to effectively manage multiple teams
Q: In the past year, we’ve gone from a three-person team to a team of 13. I have a technical background, but now I’m running several different teams within my MSP business. How can I effectively manage multiple teams? No...
Ask an MSP Expert: What do I need to teach my customers to keep them safe from ransomware?
Ask an MSP Expert: What do I need to teach my customers to keep them safe from ransomware?
Q: Recently, one of my customers was hit with ransomware and ended up needing to pay a hefty ransom. I’ve tried to warn some of my customers about cyber threats in the past, but I can’t seem to get through....
Ask an MSP Expert: When should I make the transition to MSP?
Ask an MSP Expert: When should I make the transition to MSP?
Q: I keep hearing that the industry is moving toward a managed services model. I’m not convinced I should take the leap. How do I know when I’m ready to make the transition to become a managed services provider? What...
Ask an MSP Expert: How can I overcome SMBs’ security fatigue?
Ask an MSP Expert: How can I overcome SMBs’ security fatigue?
Q: When it comes to security, I feel like our SMB customers just want to tune us out! How can I communicate with customers who are tired of hearing about security? As an IT service provider, one of the most...
Ask an MSP Expert: How can direct mail help move my MSP business forward?
Ask an MSP Expert: How can direct mail help move my MSP business forward?
Q: As a growing MSP, we’re constantly looking for new ways to appeal to our prospects, and we’re ready to try something different. We were thinking about trying direct mail, but I’m not sure how we should go about it....