No budget

[Joel Rappaport]

Wally Scherer wrote:

> One of the universities in my area has about twenty or so pianos in their
> music department, but seem to have NO BUDGET for piano tuning. I have caught
> the Dept. Head briefly in passing a couple of times, and he has been real
> nice, saying he will keep me in mind for tuning.

Well, Wally, if you don't mind a few late Saturday night musings.....

One day, after your business is booming, you'll look back at this
situation and wonder how you could ever have been worried.  I would
remain in between the extremes of agressive self promotion and "hands
off" approach.  DO let the school know you are interested.  If you feel
the new president has sparked new interest in piano maintenance, do have
a "get acquainted" meeting with the department head, but do not press
it.  Yes, let them come to you.  But remember, you must have efficient
and rock-solid work to offer them.

In the mean time, here are some thoughts:
Concentrate on obtaining other business.
You say there are a lot of tuners in your area and those you have met
are really great folks.  Ask if anyone has more tuning business than
they can handle.  Offer to go by a shop or two and tune a piano for them
(for nothing, maybe) so they can be familiar with your work.  I know
that when a colleague in my area is looking for work and I know that
person can tune well, I don't hesitate to give out his/her name for
things we can't handle.
Offer to give a talk to piano or music teachers' organizations in and
around your area.  Some subjects could be "Care and Feeding of Your
Piano," or "How to Shop For A Used Piano."  Pris and I gave this latter
talk and a chapter colleague provided several pianos as live examples
that he had overhauled and were for sale.  Have you had any unusual
experiences in your training or work?  Make that part of an interesting
lecture.  But, be sure you DO have something substantial to say.  You
will be remembered from your talk and you probably want it to be a
*positive* recollection!
Although I hate the practice, teachers have asked me to tune their piano
for free and they would recommend me to all their students.  I declined
since we already had enough to do and I do not care for this type of
agreement, but you may have a different outlook.
Use your free (literally, I guess, from your post [:> ) time to continue
your education.  Practice tuning, read whatever technical stuff you can
find, etc.
Advertising:  sometimes the neighborhood newspapers have very reasonably
priced classified ads (Category: Services or even in Musical
Instruments) that will get your name out in front of the public.  Even
your Internet Service Provider may have a "Classified" section for you
to post a notice that you do piano tuning and it is usually free of
charge to subscribers.  Here in Texas, your ad would be lost among the
pick-ups for sale, but it may be different where you are.

Well, those are a few ideas to get you thinking along other lines than
forcing the issue at this university you mention.  Oh yes, when you get
very busy and they finally get around to _wanting_ you to do their work,
make sure your fees are substantally higher than you are thinking of now
(whatever that may be.)

Best of luck to you

Joel Rappaport
Rappaport's Piano Workshop
Round Rock, Texas