[pianotech] PTG chapter/piano teacher's meeting ideas

[Ed Foote]

Wim writes:

>>Not to put a damper on your enthusiasm, but when I was in St. Louis 
and also here in Hawaii, the piano teachers just don't seem to want to 
hear from us. In St. Louis, the first time I called the president to 
set up a date to give a presentation, I was told that the schedule for 
the year was already set
Subject: [pianotech] PTG chapter/piano teacher's meeting ideas<<

Greetings,
   Well, Wim, that is putting a damper on it, which is shame, since 
enthusiasm is one of the most marketable possessions we own. Customers 
respond to it, ennui finds no home in it, and the blues stay away as 
long as you got it.  The reasons for your experience may not be the 
piano teachers in your area. It could have been their perception of 
what you were offering, which means you had a part in how things went, 
too.

      Piano teachers are interested in how to reduce the cost of the 
machine they are using, first and foremost. They have to spend money on 
us whether they like it or not, so it may be attractive to present the 
meeting as aimed at reducing costs, avoiding pitfalls, and how to make 
things last as long as possible. Questions of voicing, stretch, 
regulation,  or (gasp), temperament, are trampled underneath 
considerations of the best time of year to tune, how long should it 
last,are the pins holding and is the soundboard cracked.
     Appeal to their self-interest, first. Avoid coming on like a sales 
pitch for services and find that balance in which you can create a 
market without selling them anything.  You want them to view piano work 
as an investment, even though  it can easily feel like an expense.  If 
you are capable, confident, AND enthusiastic, maintenance will 
automatically sell itself to an educated piano teacher.
Regards,
 Ed Foote RPT
http://www.piano-tuners.org/edfoote/well_tempered_piano.html