DIRECT MAILING

[Avery]

Oh, yes. At least it doesn't take as much time to explain things like 
that as it does the tuning stuff. :-)

avery

At 04:24 PM 3/5/2006, you wrote:
>Avery,
>
>Hopefully you apprentice is repaying you by doing shop work 
>etc....?   It will take X amount of hours to rebush these 
>keys...train them...put them to work...;-]
>
>David Ilvedson, RPT
>Pacifica, California
>
>
>
>----- Original message ----------------------------------------
>From: Avery <avery1 at houston.rr.com>
>To: "Pianotech List" <pianotech at ptg.org>
>Received: 3/5/2006 1:23:31 PM
>Subject: RE: DIRECT MAILING
>
>
> >Hi Jeannie,
>
> >At 02:54 PM 3/5/2006, you wrote:
> >>Even if it costs a bit more for that training, that sort of investment
> >>in your education will repay itself many times over.
>
> >That's the problem. Most of the "newbies" don't even have a clue that they
> >"should" be paying for their training! :-( I'm working with one now. I know.
> >I shouldn't be for free. But it's so hard for me to say no to 
> someone who wants
> >to learn!
>
> >Avery
>
>
> >>There are people with many different skill levels who are teaching.  Sadly,
> >>many of them should NOT be teaching at all.  Congratulations to you for
> >>landing a good one.
> >>jeannie
> >>
> >>Jeannie Grassi, RPT
> >>Registered Piano Technician
> >>Island Piano Service
> >>Bainbridge Island, WA
> >>206-842-3721
> >>mailto:jcgrassi at earthlink.net
> >>
> >>
> >>-----Original Message-----
> >>From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org 
> [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
> >>Of Norma Neufeld
> >>Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 8:32 PM
> >>To: Pianotech List
> >>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
> >> >
> >> >
> >>
> >>_______________________________________________
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> >>
> >>
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