[pianotech] Tuning in a Down Economy

[David Love]

I routinely donate my services to a few charity events (auction type) around
for fund raising purposes.  I usually donate 2 or 3 to each event.  It is
very good advertising and, if nothing else, gets you some new customers plus
helps out organizations in need.  You cannot, however, get a tax deduction
for that.  At least not a legal one.  

David Love
www.davidlovepianos.com

-----Original Message-----
From: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces at ptg.org] On Behalf
Of John Dorr
Sent: Wednesday, March 18, 2009 6:40 AM
To: pianotech at ptg.org
Subject: [pianotech] Tuning in a Down Economy

Rather than lower rates, why not give away your tuning for free?

Ok class, stop laughing .  As always, there should be underlying method in 
madness.  And here it is:  I regularly donate tunings to fundraiser
auctions, 
especially those that are likely to have music and/or an upscale clientele. 
 You get a tax deduction, you get your name out there, and you might get a
new 
customer after his free tuning.

I've had very good success with this.  Besides the auction winner, I usually

scribble down the names of all the bidders and call them, too.  I get 
permission to do this, and donate 10% of subsequent PAID tunings after I
make 
the calls to these people (who demonstrably WANT their pianos tuned) and
book 
a few more appointments.  If I can't be present at the event, I'll ask the 
contact person to supply me the names and phone numbers of the non-winning 
silent auction bidders, reminding them that I'll donate 10% of the business 
immediately generated by those calls.

I have my office helper make a really nice certificate entitling the winner
to 
a tuning.  My business name is prominent.  It's like putting an 8"x12" 
business card on the table.  And it generates good will of course.

WARNING:  put a fuse on it!  I usually make the certificate good for one
year. 
 I don't want them to all pile up on me at once!

Oh, and for a VALUE, if they ask, I quote a tuning PLUS a pitch raise,
because 
that's what you'll usually do!  The last auction tuning I did, I asked the 
customer out of curiosity how much it went for.  He told me it was a bit
over 
$400.00!!!  Talk about yer upscale crowd, huh?

Last Monday I did a paid tuning for the school that held the auction for the

$400.00 tuning above.  It pays.  I'm their guy now.

John Dorr
Helena, MT