DIRECT MAILING

[pianotune05]

Hi Norma,
I'm a rookie as well, and I know the feeling.  I appreciate your post about 
prospecting etc.

I've done a lot of the same things, but for me since I don't drive, going to 
churches schools on a city bus or walking is too time consuming.  I tried 
that one afternoon to find out that most of the churches were locked, not a 
car in sight.  Cold calling works OK but runs up my cell phone minutes.  I'm 
definitly going to try the post card idea down the road and see how that 
pans out.

Marshall
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Norma Neufeld" <normajneufeld at shaw.ca>
To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 11:31 PM
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