Avery, Hopefully you apprentice is repaying you by doing shop work etc....? It will take X amount of hours to rebush these keys...train them...put them to work...;-] David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, California ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: Avery <avery1 at houston.rr.com> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org> Received: 3/5/2006 1:23:31 PM Subject: RE: DIRECT MAILING >Hi Jeannie, >At 02:54 PM 3/5/2006, you wrote: >>Even if it costs a bit more for that training, that sort of investment >>in your education will repay itself many times over. >That's the problem. Most of the "newbies" don't even have a clue that they >"should" be paying for their training! :-( I'm working with one now. I know. >I shouldn't be for free. But it's so hard for me to say no to someone who wants >to learn! >Avery >>There are people with many different skill levels who are teaching. Sadly, >>many of them should NOT be teaching at all. Congratulations to you for >>landing a good one. >>jeannie >> >>Jeannie Grassi, RPT >>Registered Piano Technician >>Island Piano Service >>Bainbridge Island, WA >>206-842-3721 >>mailto:jcgrassi at earthlink.net >> >> >>-----Original Message----- >>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf >>Of Norma Neufeld >>Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 8:32 PM >>To: Pianotech List >>Subject: Re: DIRECT MAILING >> >>A lot has been written lately about and for rookies, like myself, starting >>out - how to drum up business, cold calls, mailings, ethics etc, etc. Six >>months ago I was sitting in an office full time, unhappy, doing the odd >>tuning. Today, though I struggle at times, about 80 % of my income is from >>my piano business. It's growing very quickly and here's a couple reasons >>why I think that's happened. >> >>When I first started studying, my mentor made me promise not to go out and >>mess with peoples pianos until he said I was ready. I kept that promise (a >>major lesson in patience!), but when I finally did get out there working I >>was confident in my skills and abilities and I think it shows. I am also >>very honest with clients when a job is beyond my abilities and have to call >>in the big guns. They appreciate this and also know their precious piano is >>getting the best care available. >> >>Direct Mailings vs. Cold Calls - Nothing beats a handshake and a smile. >>IMHO. I don't think cold calls are unethical if handled properly. I >>visited almost every church in the city last summer and the four main school >>boards. After an introduction my first question was "Do you have a regular >>piano technician who cares for your pianos?" If they said "Yes, we use so >>and so" I'd reply with something like "Good, you have one of the best" or >>"he does nice work, thanks for your time....." Under no circumstance will I >>attempt to undercut or take business from a colleague, or mislead a >>potential client in any way. >> >>I am still very much a rookie and don't claim to have any answers, but these >>things have really kick started my career. I also read everything I can get >>my hands on regarding pianos, I listen way more than I talk when around >>other techs, joined the PTG, read the Journal, attended my first convention >>last month (PNW in Calgary, it was great). Warranty tunings for a >>reputable dealer are an excellent way to build clientele, get to know some >>music teachers and local pianists, they're a great resource. I love my new >>career, sure beats sitting in an office! >> >>Just another rookie trying to help, >>Norma Neufeld >>Saskatoon, SK >> >> >>----- Original Message ----- >>From: "Dave Bunch" <pdtek at mchsi.com> >>To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org> >>Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 6:01 PM >>Subject: Re: DIRECT MAILING >> >> >> > Hello- When I first started out 20 years ago and was looking for ways to >> > drum up business, I made up a promotional letter and sent it to every >>church >> > in a 30 mile radius. I found the response rate was about 2%. Not much, but >> > you have to remember that most places already have a tuner and those that >> > don't usually like a direct referral from someone that they trust. >> > >> > That 2% was a foot in the door, however, and the good work I did allowed >>me >> > to keep the accounts and the word spread to other churches and private >> > owners. Probably the biggest break was when the local piano teacher of >>great >> > influence on the music community decided to try out this "upstart". When >>she >> > was happy with my work, that opened the floodgate to the other teachers in >> > the area and their students. It all has to start somewhere. >> > >> > Dave Bunch >> > >> > >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >> >> >>_______________________________________________ >>Pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives >_______________________________________________ >Pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
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