This is a multipart message in MIME format ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment That's a great idea about referrals and the $5 off the next= service, which would probably keep them up with inflation...;-] = I'm going to consider it. I do ask where they got my name and= note it in database but I don't do much with that info... David I. ----- Original message ----------------------------------------> From: Greg Newell <gnewell@ameritech.net> To: Pianotech <pianotech@ptg.org> Received: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 10:45:42 -0500 Subject: Re: starting the business Dave, You have some really good ideas here. I hope you take= advantage of them. Hang in there, it gets better. I would only= ad that I have employed a simple method that still, after 20= years, puts smiles on my customers faces. It so simple too. When= I get a call from a new customer I ask them how they heard of= me. When they mention an existing customers name that existing= customer automatically gets a thank you card. On that card they= are instructed to save it (the card) and use it for $50 off= their next service. For some it just makes them smile but for= others it is a catalyst to make them go out and tell every one= who will listen about me. Now it's not likely that they would do= that if they weren't satisfied with my work so it's sort of a= double plus. I really don't do much advertising at all in an= area filled with techs. Naturally being around for 20 years has= a bit to do with that but really, so does the above mentioned= method. Give it a try. The only thing you have to lose is the $5= off their NEXT service. That also means that to cash in they= have to have you out one more time at least, right. Good Luck! Greg Newell At 09:21 AM 11/28/2004, you wrote: Hi Dave: I see some great ideas and answers to your question. Here's= what worked for me: I sent a letter of introduction to all the churches and= schools in the area I wanted to cover, telling about my= services, membership in PTG and any introductory offers I wanted= to mention. The same goes for music stores and piano= teachers. You want to spend your time and money where it will= do the most good. I took out small ads in local papers and the= free advertiser tabloids. They don't cost much and keep your= name in front of the public. Some techs report good results= with magnetic signs on their vehicle, I also had a small nicely= lettered sign at the end of my driveway that was productive. I agree with Dave about yellow pages, it works but mainly it= keeps your name in everyone's home when needed. I got almost no= play from the web. Be sure to ask customers if you can check= with them in 6 months or a year to see how their piano is doing= and does it need tuning. Also ask each new customer how they= found you, that will indicate where your work is coming from. = Word of mouth works best, but only after you've been around for= awhile. If you are in an area with a lot of other technicians,= you need to get creative and do things a little differently. = Good Luck.... Mike Kurta Greg Newell Greg's piano Fort=E9 mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: https://www.moypiano.com/ptg/pianotech.php/attachments/2b/c0/7b/4f/attachment.htm ---------------------- multipart/alternative attachment--
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