Enough Already - Changing Topics

[Mike Kurta]

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    Hi Bobby:
    I'll echo the comment that it takes time to build a clientele.  I =
had good results starting up with a small classified ad in the musical =
instruments category of the local paper.  These were cute little topical =
sayings like "He won't come down your chimney, but he will come through =
your door!  Tom Tuner Piano Service." I changed them monthly.  The idea =
is to get known and get your name out as quickly and economically as =
possible.  Calling on piano dealers is valuable, let them know you're =
available.  Canvas all the churches and schools, either by person or =
letter.  Talk to all the piano teachers in town, think about giving them =
some sort of discount as a reward for sending you customers.  By all =
means, always mention to the customer the proper interval for tuning, =
especially when there is a student in the house, and ask if they would =
like to be reminded when their next tuning is due.  50% of my work is =
repeat.  If,  1. your work is good, 2. you give good value for what you =
charge, and 3. you develop good customer relations, your business can't =
help but increase.
    Mike Kurta
  ----- Original Message -----=20
  From: Sims-n-Sons=20
  To: Pianotech=20
  Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 9:24 PM
  Subject: Re: Enough Already - Changing Topics


  Hello to all,

  Maybe this is a subtle way to change the topics that have been skewed =
drastically by everyone's lack of rest in this Holiday season.  Or at =
least give us something else to talk about.

  I'll be fairly new to everyone reading this as I don't write in often =
to the list.  I have been attempting to learn the Piano Technician trade =
for approximately two years now.  Some will say, "You should know it by =
now" but I doubt many of you will say that as you are still asking =
questions after quite a few years of working in this field.  How great =
is the study of the piano??!!

  I have been attending the monthly PTG meetings for about a year now =
and have just joined as an associate member in the Dallas, Tx. chapter.  =
By the way, it's a great chapter under the direction of President Dan =
Reed and has as members excellent Technician's such as Jack Wyatt, Leon =
Spier and many more.

  Anyway, the holiday season seems to be stressing all of the seasoned =
Technician's a little bit due to more work than can be handled.  I've =
heard that there is always more work than technician's ever since I've =
started learning the trade.  My question, "HOW DO YOU GET THAT BUSY."  =
If it weren't for friends and churches that I have close ties to I =
wouldn't have any work to do at all.  Most of the work has been tuning =
only.  I know of a 6'4" Knabe from the early 1920's that needs an action =
rebuild but I don't do those yet and I doubt I could talk the Pastor =
into spending that kind of money anyway.

  What is a good way to obtain business when you are just starting out =
in the business?  What methods of advertisement seem to work best?

  Addressing items of this nature on the list will help me tremendously. =
 I've seen the temperament wars and they interest me but if I don't have =
a piano to attempt them on; well, you understand.

  Thanks a lot.  Let's all be friends, ha..  We'll never all agree and I =
can assure you of that especially on items such as Religion, politics, =
etc.  Not being sarcastic, just friendly.


  Sincerely,

  Bobby Sims=20
  Sims-n-Sons Piano Tuning and Repair
  sims-n-sons@ev1.net=20
    -----Original Message-----
    From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org]On =
Behalf Of Kevin E. Ramsey
    Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 7:54 PM
    To: Pianotech
    Subject: Re: Enough Already!!!!!


    Hi, Susan. It's me, the evil one. You hit the nail on the head. I'm =
busy re-working a Steinway O which someone else had re-whatevered, under =
a tight schedule, and trying to keep up with my other scheduling =
appointments, some of which have been with unreasonably demanding =
clients. The other night I just vented a little too much, and I can =
assure you that what I had to say was not meant in the literal sense =
that apparently it was taken in. What I probably should have done is =
describe the clients, not how they made me feel.=20
      ----- Original Message -----=20
      From: Susan Kline=20
      To: Pianotech=20
      Sent: Thursday, November 21, 2002 10:47 AM
      Subject: Re: Enough Already!!!!!


      At 05:35 PM 11/21/2002 +0100, you wrote:
      >Besides... its nearly the Christmas season. Never fails.. this is =
4th list
      >year and for some reason we get into all these weird arguments =
both on and
      >off topic right around this time.

      It's simple -- we're EXHAUSTED at this time of year, so our normal
      good cheer is frayed around the edges, and we fly off the handle.

      Susan



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