Working while tuning

[pianolady50@peoplepc.com]

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You need to take a good look at the community in which you will be =
working.  Seems there is always room for one more, but the how to do its =
are the problem.  When I first started out I was in a moderate sized =
metropolitan area in FL.  There were approximately 30 members of the =
local guild chapter.  20, I would say were active.  There were about a =
half dozen non members.  I attended every chapter meeting (I think I =
only missed 5 or so in about 10 years).  I actively participated in the =
chapter, got to know everyone, was treasurer, secretary, worked on =
seminar committees, etc., etc.  My business grew steadily.  Other =
members knew I was serious and began referring customers to me.  Some =
just because I was closer, others because they didn't want the job.  I =
had made it known I would take any job that no one wanted :-).  All I =
had was a yellow page listing.  Mostly it was hard work, good work, and =
patience.  When I decided to relocate to New England, I gave my customer =
list to a new, young tuner.  He has built a full tuning and rebuild =
business for himself.

Now, at my new location, things are totally different.  I live in a =
community of 7,000.  If you add in the next city, maybe about 25,000.  =
There are two other techs on "the island".   Yep, got to use a bridge to =
get just about anywhere.  One of the techs has been here *forever* and =
has most of the tunings.  In this situation you have to be careful not =
to step on anyone's toes!  I do know a lot of people in my little town =
and they have been very generous in handing out my business cards and =
spreading the word!  I have never asked for this - all their idea.  I =
have magnetic signs on my truck and <cringe> an enlargement of my =
business card (laminated) on the bulletin board at our local grocery.  I =
have only a listing in the yellow pages.  I have been here for three =
years and have almost built the tuning end of the business as large as I =
want it.  Certainly not enough to live on by itself but I don't want =
that anyway.  I also run the key business and rebuild players, etc.  I'd =
say tunings account for 1/3 of my time.

The common factor for both situations is the willingness to be patient.  =
Building a good business can't be rushed.  If you need to do something =
else for income while you build the business - fine.  As the piano =
business grows, cut back on "the other thing".  And beyond the obvious =
of quality work and such....enjoy what you do!

Debbie L.
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