# MSP Notes

> Blog about managed service provider business. Real-life stories, observations about the market and trends, and practical recommendations based on over ten years of industry experience and working with over 21,000 service providers worldwide.

## Articles

- [AI is Infrastructure, Manage it as One](https://mspnotes.com/ai-is-infrastructure-manage-it-as-one): Cloud services fail. Connectivity drops. AI models can be blocked. Contingency is necessary.
- [The MSP Business is Changing Faster than Most MSPs are](https://mspnotes.com/the-msp-business-is-changing-faster-than-most-msps-are): Omdia data shows the money has moved to AI and security services delivered across the full client lifecycle.
- [The Internet is Being Rebuilt for Agents and it is an Opportunity for MSPs](https://mspnotes.com/the-internet-is-being-rebuilt-for-agents-and-it-is-an-opportunity-for-msps): The internet was built for people clicking through pages, filling out forms... It is no longer the case.
- [What the LiteLLM Attack Means for the MSPs](https://mspnotes.com/what-the-litellm-attack-means-for-the-msps): The recent supply chain attack on litellm highlighted the problem: every software vendor, and every customer is exposed to supply-chain attacks.
- [Doubling MSP Productivity Leads to 5x Margins](https://mspnotes.com/doubling-msp-productivity-leads-to-5x-margins): The MSPs that will increase their productivity this year will define the competitive landscape for the decade that follows.
- [Guide for MSPs on Leading AI Adoption for Their Customers](https://mspnotes.com/guide-for-msps-on-leading-ai-adoption-for-their-customers): “Shadow AI” is the modern plague. This creates a major opportunity for MSPs to step up as trusted AI adoption advisors.
- [Practical Marketing for MSP. Part 4 - Referrals, Local SEO](https://mspnotes.com/practical-marketing-for-msp-part-4-referrals-local-seo): In this article, we will explore the marketing tactics recommended to MSPs that don't have dedicated sales and marketing resources.
- [Practical Marketing for MSP. Part 3 - Tactics](https://mspnotes.com/practical-marketing-for-managed-service-providers-part-3-marketing-tactics): In the third article of the series, we discuss marketing tactics and an approach to choose the appropriate ones.
- [Practical Marketing for MSP. Part 2 - Funnel and Metrics](https://mspnotes.com/practical-marketing-for-msp-part-2-marketing-funnel-and-metrics): In the second article of the series, we will dig into key marketing and business metrics.
- [Practical Marketing for MSP. Part 1 - Strategy](https://mspnotes.com/practical-marketing-for-managed-service-providers-part-1): This is the first article in a series about practical marketing for MSPs. The articles in the series are based on the workshops conducted in 2025.
- [AI and Prompt Engineering for MSPs](https://mspnotes.com/ai-and-prompt-engineering-for-msps): Easy-to-implement scenarios and best practices for AI prompt engineering in managed service providers.
- [The Rise of Ultra-Specialized Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/the-rise-of-ultraspecialized-managed-service-providers): Implementing the ultra-specialized MSP strategy requires significant market research and critically evaluating your strengths and capabilities.
- [Strategy for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/strategy-for-managed-service-providers): Successful MSPs have a strategy documented in one form or another. Let’s explore a simple framework for defining and documenting that strategy.
- [Protecting Your Team Against Your Customers: Quick Guide for MSP Owners](https://mspnotes.com/protecting-your-team-against-your-customers-quick-guide-for-msp-owners): Here is a short guide based on best practices for handling complicated customers I recently collected from MSP owners.
- [Dealing with MSP Technician Burnout](https://mspnotes.com/dealing-with-msp-technician-burnout): The signs of burnout, and strategies for helping technicians avoid it based on the experience of successful MSP managers.
- [Top 5 Ways Cybercriminals Breach Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/top-5-ways-cybercriminals-breach-managed-service-providers): The list of top exploited cybersecurity risks for MSPs and how to protect against them.
- [Acquiring a Managed Service Provider Business. Part III: Integration](https://mspnotes.com/acquiring-a-managed-service-provider-business-part-iii-integration): Part III is the final article in the series and covers the newly acquired business's integration stages.
- [Acquiring a Managed Service Provider Business. Part II: Valuation, Negotiation and Deal Structure](https://mspnotes.com/acquiring-a-managed-service-provider-business-part-ii): Part II covers valuation, deal structuring and negotiation strategy for acquiring an MSP business.
- [Acquiring a Managed Service Provider Business. Part I: Reasons, Targets and Due Diligence](https://mspnotes.com/acquiring-a-managed-service-provider-business-part-i): Part I covers the reasons for acquiring an MSP, how to select the targets, and what to consider during due diligence process.
- [Why Do Managed Service Provider Businesses Fail?](https://mspnotes.com/why-do-managed-service-provider-businesses-fail): Common reasons for MSP business failure based collected through the years from conversations with thousands of MSP business owners
- [New Revenue Streams for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/new-revenue-streams-for-managed-service-providers): Ideas on additional services for MSPs to collect more revenue from the existing customers.
- [Smart Goal Setting for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/smart-goal-setting-for-managed-service-providers): Setting the goals around improving the work that the team is doing focuses the team and provides them guidance in terms they understand.
- [Pricing and Costs for Managed Service Providers: Defining Per User and Per Device Rates](https://mspnotes.com/pricing-and-costs-for-msp-defining-per-user-and-per-device-rates): The most common question from MSPs is how to define and adjust their prices. There is a trap to follow the competition.
- [Positioning the Value of Managed Services to Prospects and Customers](https://mspnotes.com/positioning-the-value-of-managed-services-to-prospects-and-customers): Understanding of the business of your customers and prospects, you can build your portfolio of services and products and pitch it most effectively.
- [Importance of Good Ol’ Backups for MSPs](https://mspnotes.com/importance-of-good-ol-backups-for-msps): MSPs often see backup only as a way to recover the system in case of a failure, data loss or cyber attack. Backups are much more than that.
- [Converting A Business from Break-Fix to Managed Service Provider](https://mspnotes.com/converting-a-business-from-break-fix-to-managed-service-provider-learnings-from-a-real-life-story): A story from an MSP about their journey of converting their break-fix shop into a managed service provider.
- [Replacing Another Managed Service Provider](https://mspnotes.com/replacing-another-managed-service-provider): In this article, I offer helpful tips on how to pitch to customers in a competitive situation.
- [Simple Sales Tip: Talk About Money They Make, Instead of Money They Pay](https://mspnotes.com/simple-sales-tip-talk-about-money-they-make-instead-of-money-they-pay): “We are making money, not spending money.”
- [Niche for Managed Service Providers: Remote-First Businesses](https://mspnotes.com/niche-for-managed-service-providers-remote-first-businesses): COVID-19 forced many businesses to implement options to work remotely and that is an opportunity for the MSPs.
- [Who do I sell to? A Quick Tip for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/who-do-i-sell-to-a-quick-tip-for-managed-service-providers): Whatever it is, start by showing that you know their scenarios. Be very specific, talking about their business process and the tools they use.
- [Metrics for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/metrics-for-managed-service-providers): In this post, I will list metrics many successful MSPs find useful, grouping them into three categories — operational, technology, and financial.
- [Managed Service Providers Selling Drills, While Business Owners Buy Holes](https://mspnotes.com/managed-service-providers-selling-drills-while-business-owners-buy-holes): An effective pitch starts by talking about the problems that the business owner is facing and explaining the solutions in terms that they understand. 
- [Inside SMB Owner’s Mind: Negotiating Managed Services Agreements](https://mspnotes.com/inside-smb-owners-mind-negotiating-managed-services-agreements): It is essential to start by discussing what is important for the business owner — increasing their profits.
- [Understanding the Managed Service Provider Model: Contracts, Billing, and Services](https://mspnotes.com/understanding-the-managed-service-provider-model-contracts-billing-and-services): The managed services model: the customer gets reliable and cost-effective IT services, the MSP gets predictable revenue.
- [Boosting MSP Productivity by Reducing Tool Overload](https://mspnotes.com/boosting-msp-productivity-by-reducing-tool-overload): If you have been in the managed service business for a while, chances are high that you suffer from tool overload without even suspecting it.
- [Vertical Marketing Strategy for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/vertical-marketing-strategy-for-managed-service-providers): Implementation of a vertical strategy takes time and requires continuous reviews and adjustments to be a strong differentiator against competition.
- [Game On: The Cutthroat World of Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/game-on-the-cutthroat-world-of-managed-service-providers): Successful competition is about competing on “future value” rather than the value everybody can deliver today.
- [Rebranding for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/rebranding-for-managed-service-providers): Rebranding may seem scary, yet it is a simple procedure. A bit of patience and a bit of time spent on replacing the old logo and name, and it is done.
- [Pricing for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/pricing-for-managed-service-providers): When competition attacks you on price, you can respond by comparing the value of services and the cost of transitioning from a trusted partner.
- [Practical Market Research Trick for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/practical-market-research-trick-for-managed-service-providers): Analyzing websites and advertisements of successful local MSPs, attending the same events, and joining the same business associations.
- [MEDDIC Sales Framework for Managed Service Providers](https://mspnotes.com/meddic-sales-framework-for-managed-service-providers): Frameworks make things easier. A sales framework is an investment. However, if done well, it gives good ROI.
- [MSPs reselling managed services](https://mspnotes.com/msps-reselling-managed-services): The more services customers consume through their MSP, the lower the chances they will be looking for another partner.
- [MSP Profit Challenges](https://mspnotes.com/profit-challenges-for-managed-service-providers): The MSP found a way to improve profits, and they are willing to continue bringing profits back to the pre-pandemic level.
- [MSP Maturity and Scalability](https://mspnotes.com/msp-maturity-and-scalability): A higher level of operational maturity allows MSPs to scale and grow the business with the existing resources.
- [A Checklist for a Managed Service Provider](https://mspnotes.com/a-checklist-for-a-managed-service-provider): If you sit down and write down what you do in your current job and which projects you run, you will discover many things you are doing. 
- [From IT Professional to Entrepreneur: Starting an MSP Business](https://mspnotes.com/from-it-professional-to-entrepreneur-starting-an-msp-business): Observations on how many new MSP businesses started based on hundreds of stories I heard over the last ten years of working with MSPs.

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