Advertising

[Wimblees@AOL.COM]

In a message dated 1/21/00 9:58:39 PM !!!First Boot!!!, tuner@mediaone.net 
writes:

<< I'm pretty much just getting started. What are your opinions about the
 best way of advertising for work?
 
 Thanks.
 
 Martin Dubow
  >>


For those who are just getting started, getting your name out there is very 
important. If you have a local newspaper, see if they will do a story on you. 
Advertise in that newspaper's classified section. Don't just put your name in 
there once or twice. Keep it in there forever. It will take some people 6 or 
8 weeks of seeing your name before they will finally call you. 

Get a lot of business cards, and give them out to everyone you think might 
have a piano. Write to all the schools and churches in your area and tell 
them you are available. If you are really hungry, there is nothing wrong with 
advertising your services at a reduced rate. (find out what the going rate is 
and do your work for 25% less). Go to a local music store and ask if they 
have a mailing list of piano teacher. Write to each on of them and offer to 
give them a discount for recommending students. (I gave teachers 10% off the 
charge for every student they recommended, up to 50% per tuning.) 

Don't be afraid to work hard. Take every appointment that comes along, no 
matter when or where it is. 

Of course all of this won't do a bit of good if you don't know what you are 
doing. Join the PTG, attend local chapter meetings and try to attend as many 
seminars as you can. The more you know, the faster your business will grow. 

Good luck