You don't get a tax deduction for free services rendered. David Ilvedson, RPT Pacifica, CA 94044 ----- Original message ---------------------------------------- From: "John Dorr" <a440 at bresnan.net> To: pianotech at ptg.org Received: 3/18/2009 6:39:38 AM 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
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