Hi Marshall and all you other associates
When and if you get involved with your PTG group. Get together with one of your old RPT tuners, someone that has tuned at least 10 years. Have them listen tO your tuning and if they say you are any where ready, go spend the (I Think $90.00) and take the RPT tuning exam. The people giving the exam have only your interest at heart and it will be the best money you have spent learning your trade. Don't expect to pass it the first time through. Look at it as a learning experience. As I recall about half fail it the first time. But you will come out of the testing knowing your weak and strong areas. In other words the areas that you need to concentrate. When you pass the exam you will receive a burst of confidence the likes of which is hard to describe. You will probably find as I and many other RPTs have discovered your income will immediately jump for no other reason than the confidence you eminate and have in yourself. YOU ASSOCIATED THAT ARE JUST DRAGGING YOUR FEET ARE HURTING NO ONE BUT YOURSELVES.
As for phone solicitation, I have done my share. It isn't fun. I don't like it when someone calls me cold. I usually just hang up and it is deflating for the one making the call.But remember Marshall, It isn't a cold call if someone else opens the door for you such as ("HELLO MRS JONES, THIS IS MARSHALL, I JUST TUNED A PIANO FOR YOUR FRIEND MRS. SMITH AND SHE TOLD ME YOU HAVE A PIANO AND MAY NEED TO HAVE IT TUNED. IF THAT IS SO, COULD i HELP YOU WITH THAT.") The phone call is no longer cold Mrs. Smith told you to call.
Another trick I used in the beginning was to go to the criss cross directory at the library and write down the names and address of four or five homes around that ones that I would be tuning. I would then either call them or send them a card telling them I was going to be in the area. There were times that I tuned three pianos on one street in a given day.
As the man said "Have a Plan and Work the Plan.
Good Luck Marshal We are all watching you.
Ron May,RPT (AND VERY PROUD OF IT)
>
> From: "pianotune05" <pianotune05@comcast.net>
> Date: 2006/01/27 Fri AM 08:11:09 EST
> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Subject: Re: prospecting for customers from an old pro
>
> Hi Ron,
> Thank you so much for your insight. I like your ideas especially of walking
> into a church, school etc. What is yoru take on cold calling by phone as
> well? Maybe you mentioned it, but I didn't see a post about what you were
> taught about cold calling. I'm going to that thrift store today to do a
> practice tuning on a Jansen, if I see a church etc. I'll try that approach
> and stop by. I"ll let you guys know what happened.
> Marshall
> ps. I agree with you about being late and telling them. Since I use our
> city bus system, I explain to anyone I meet whom I give a card to that I
> don't drive, etc, and they seem understanding and appreciative at the same
> time.
> ----- Original Message -----
> From: <ronmay_rpt@bellsouth.net>
> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 10:59 PM
> Subject: prospecting for customers from an old pro
>
>
> > OK Marshall and list
> >
> > Now you are in my ball park from another life.
> >
> > Over my past many years I've done a number of things and 2nd only to being
> > one of the last students of Braid White one of my biggest assets in this
> > business has been sales and prospecting skills learned in several sales
> > positions. The best being the Life Insurance Industry and a lot of
> > training from a fellow every good salesman knows by the name of Dale
> > Carnagie. This training has helped me in building two very good and
> > successful piano service businesses. One in Columbus, OH and now again in
> > Vero Beach,FL and continues to help me everyday in this business.
> >
> > First of all the best sourse of business be it piano tuning or selling
> > cookies is that of a third party influence. Otherwise known as a referral.
> > Marshall you should never leave anyone's home without the name of several
> > of your customers friends that own pianos. "Mrs. Jones, I am just
> > beginning my piano tuning business and I need your help, Can you give me
> > the names of a couple of people you know that own pianos and may need them
> > tuned" Once you get them it is simple to call or send a card to the
> > referral and say "I tuned your friend Joe's piano and he suggested I
> > contact you"
> > When you get good enough to take care of Piano Teachers, ASK FOR a
> > referral to their students and give them a bunch of cards. IF YOU DON'T
> > ASK-YOU PROBABLY WON'T RECEIVE
> >
> > Second nothing takes the place of a cold call. As you are driving down
> > the street and pass a church or private school, Walk in the door with your
> > card in hand. Ask for who ever is in charge of the music department or
> > pianos tell them what you do and ASK FOR THEIR BUSINESS. I guarantee you
> > that no other technician has done that.
> >
> > Third make up a simple post card with your advertisement on it and mail it
> > to all the churches, nightclubs schools, etc.
> >
> > Fourth Take care of your customer like they are GOLD because they are.
> >
> > If you do these things, you will be further business wise in 1 year than
> > most will be in 5.
> > That is one reason that 20% of the salesforce sells 80% of the
> > merchandise.
> >
> > Fifth: Get Dale Carnagie's book "How to win friends and influence people
> > and practice what it says.
> >
> > Sixth: Do what my kindergarten Sunday School Teacher taught me to do with
> > my first Bible lesson:
> > "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" If you are
> > running late for an
> > appointment, call them etc. etc. etc.
> >
> > Good Luck Marshall
> >
> > Ron May, RPT
> > Vero Beach
> >>
> >> From: "pianotune05" <pianotune05@comcast.net>
> >> Date: 2006/01/26 Thu PM 10:24:57 EST
> >> To: "Cy Shuster" <cy@shusterpiano.com>, "Pianotech List"
> >> <pianotech@ptg.org>
> >> Subject: Re: prospecting for customers
> >>
> >> Cy,
> >> Thanks. Do I need to be a member to access it? My membership app. is in
> >> progress everyone. I"m excited.
> >> Marshall
> >> ----- Original Message -----
> >> From: "Cy Shuster" <cy@shusterpiano.com>
> >> To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech@ptg.org>
> >> Sent: Thursday, January 26, 2006 9:51 PM
> >> Subject: Re: prospecting for customers
> >>
> >>
> >> > Marshall,
> >> >
> >> > The PTG has a "Business Resource Manual" that answers many of your
> >> > questions:
> >> > https://www.ptg.org/store/product_info.php?cPath=26&products_id=74
> >> >
> >> > --Cy--
> >> >
> >> >
> >> >
> >> > _______________________________________________
> >> > 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
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
>
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