yellow pages ad/James

[Tom Sivak]

LOL!   The German call it 'schadenfreude'.  It means finding humor in the misfortunes of others.
   
  I am simultaneously forewarned and amused by your post.
   
  Thanks,
  Tom Sivak 
   
  

Robin Blankenship <tunerdude at comcast.net> wrote:
          Based on my own personal experience, I can attest to the notion that husband and wife working together in a business can bring a much deeper sense of joys and unity and togetherness and bonding in the marriage.
   
  It can also bring on much greater opportunity for mischief and attorney fees during the divorce.
   
  I've tried it three times so far and always gotten the same results!! LOL.
   
  Robin Blankenship, now learning how to use the telephone himself
    ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Tom Sivak 
  To: Pianotech List 
  Sent: Friday, May 26, 2006 8:44 AM
  Subject: Re: yellow pages ad/James
  

  James,
  
Now that's an interesting idea, but how?  I mean, there ain't no payroll!  I, myself, don't get a 'paycheck' from my own business, I get checks from the clients, made out to me, and I deposit them in our joint checking account.  

Perhaps I'd have to incorporate to be able to legitimize this.  I like the thinking behind this concept, though...
   
  Tom Sivak

Pianoman <pianoman at accessus.net> wrote:
  PLUS you can put her on the payroll and YOUR income that is taxed will go 
down.

James Grebe Piano Tuning & Repair Member of M.P.T.
R.P.T. of the P.T.G. for over 30 years. "Member of the Year" in 1989
Creator of Handsome Hardwood Caster Cups, Piano Benches, Writing 
Instruments,Table Timepieces
(314) 845-8282 1526 Raspberry Lane Arnold, MO 63010
Researcher of St. Louis Theatre History
BECOME WHAT YOU BELIEVE!
pianoman at accessus.net
----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Tom Sivak" 
To: "Pianotech List" 

Sent: Thursday, May 25, 2006 8:05 PM
Subject: Re: yellow pages ad


> Marshall,
>
> I get on the average, about 50-60 calls from the Yellow Pages each year. 
> That has been pretty consistent over the past 10 years. And that was with 
> just a listing, no ad, no bold type. From what I understand, the Yellow 
> Pages are changing their format/boundaries this year. They are combining 
> several areas together into one larger book that will cover a larger area. 
> So, we'll have to see how that impacts things. We'll get wider coverage, 
> but there will be more tuners listed in each book.
>
> I know you're eager to start and grow, as a business and as a technician. 
> I wish you luck.
>
> Now here's something that kept me going, through the years, when times 
> were leaner.
>
> I kept statistics on the growth of my business. Total number of tunings, 
> by the year, and by the month. New business vs. repeat business. 
> Referrals vs. Yellow Pages. (I never kept track of grands vs. verticals. 
> I'm not that anal!)
>
> All this not only helped me to understand how to help my business grow in 
> the future, but it helped me, psychologically, as I looked at the meager 
> sum I had earned this past year. At least knowing that it was 150% of the 
> amount I made last year helped. Sometimes I'd feel like business was down 
> and I'd look at my 'progress chart' and realize that although 'X' tunings 
> wasn't enough this past month, it was more than I had ever made in that 
> same month of any year previous.
>
> As long as we're on the subject, I just had my best month, ever, this 
> past February, where I tuned 65 pianos. My previous best was 38. WooHOO! 
> It may not be the 80 pianos I would liked to have had, but it's closer 
> than ever! (I have to credit my wife for this surge in business. She 
> lost her job, so she's at home answering the phone, making my 
> appointments, and calling our clients whose pianos are due to be tuned. 
> She has increased my business by about 40% since starting with me in 
> January.)
>
> Been in business about 10 years now,
> Tom Sivak
> Chicago
>
>
> pianotune05 at comcast.net wrote:
> HI Terry,
> My name is listed in the piano tuning and repair section. It's just a 
> listing.
> Marshall
>
> -------------- Original message -------------- 
> From: "Farrell" 
> "just my name phone number "
>
> Is it an ad? Does it say you are a piano technician? Is it listed in the 
> Piano Technician (or Tuning) section?
>
> Terry Farrell
> ----- Original Message ----- 
>
> Well, the new 2006 ATT phone books are out. I have a listing in it, just 
> my name phone number and our town abbreviated, although some people think 
> that South Bend is a city. Anyway, I'm curious as to how long it took you 
> guys out there to get your first call from your first yellow pages 
> listing. This way I'll know roughly what to expect and not set my 
> expectations too high. Thanks all.
> Marshall
>
> 



    
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