starting the business

[Greg Newell]

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Dave,
         You have some really good ideas here. I hope you take advantage of=
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them. Hang in there, it gets better. I would only ad that I have employed a=
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simple method that still, after 20 years, puts smiles on my customers=20
faces. It so simple too. When I get a call from a new customer I ask them=20
how they heard of me. When they mention an existing customers name that=20
existing customer automatically gets a thank you card. On that card they=20
are instructed to save it (the card) and use it for $50 off their next=20
service. For some it just makes them smile but for others it is a catalyst=
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to make them go out and tell every one who will listen about me. Now it's=20
not likely that they would do that if they weren't satisfied with my work=20
so it's sort of a double plus. I really don't do much advertising at all in=
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an area filled with techs. Naturally being around for 20 years has a bit to=
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do with that but really, so does the above mentioned method. Give it a try.=
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The only thing you have to lose is the $5 off their NEXT service. That also=
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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=20
> worked for me:
>     I sent a letter of introduction to all the churches and schools in=20
> the area I wanted to cover, telling about my services, membership in PTG=
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> and any introductory offers I wanted to mention.    The same goes for=20
> music stores and piano teachers.  You want to spend your time and money=20
> where it will do the most good.  I took out small ads in local papers and=
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> the free advertiser tabloids.  They don't cost much and keep your name in=
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> front of the public.  Some techs report good results with magnetic signs=
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> on their vehicle, I also had a small nicely lettered sign at the end of=20
> my driveway that was productive.
>     I agree with Dave about yellow pages, it works but mainly it keeps=20
> your name in everyone's home when needed.  I got almost no play from the=
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> web.   Be sure to ask customers if you can check with them in 6 months or=
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> a year to see how their piano is doing and does it need tuning.  Also ask=
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> each new customer how they found you, that will indicate where your work=
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> is coming from.  Word of mouth works best, but only after you've been=20
> around for awhile.  If you are in an area with  a lot of other=20
> technicians, you need to get creative and do things a little=20
> differently.  Good Luck....
>     Mike Kurta

Greg Newell
Greg's piano Fort=E9
mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net=20
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