[pianotech] PTG chapter/piano teacher's meeting ideas

[Ron Nossaman]

On 1/14/2013 11:06 AM, Richard W. Bushey wrote:

> Our PTG chapter (Southwest Mo, - Springfield, Mo.) is trying to come
> up with creative ideas on how to connect with, and build PTG
> relationship with the local piano teachers.

I'm not sure creativity is necessary. My experience is that, like anyone 
else, an individual teacher (category A) will use you at full price and 
recommend you if (s)he likes you and your work. I tune for a number of 
these, and can recommend them as caring, competent professionals. These 
folks are unusual though. Categorically, teachers tend to want heavily 
discounted, or more likely free tunings for student referrals, which if 
they happen at all are very often untunable junk uprights. These folks 
will drop their tuner immediately if you're cheaper, though you likely 
won't get more than a couple of referrals a year if that, and the 
teachers and their pianos are usually nothing to recommend either. If 
you can get in to do a presentation at a meeting, take informational 
brochures and business cards, and maybe some action parts, answer 
questions accurately and concisely, and don't count on a return. If you 
pick up one category "A" customer, you scored! If not, you might have at 
least educated someone a little, which is still a good thing.

Good luck,
Ron N