Two things come to my mind on this. I have only been in business for three years. My second year I tuned about 350 pianos (no store tunings). I think much, much of that relates to your question about over-saturation of tuners. My guess would be that many northern cities have a greater predominance of professionals that are engaged in traditional careers (like piano tuning) than in the sunbelt. So, I imagine that there is a higher piano-tuner-to-piano-owner ratio in the northern cities (maybe?). But likely the bigger factor is that the population is very transient here. I read somewhere that the average home is owned for 5 years in Florida. In developing my business, I did not have any need to "take customers away" from other techs to build up my own. People are coming and going so fast down here, and the rate of new development in my immediate area is just absolutely unbelievable. I have heard from many techs in northern cities that the Yellow Pages does nothing for them (I made sure that my ad is as big as anyone else's ad -I also made mine look good and friendly - I have had many compliments on it - don't make it look like an FBI advertisement). Down here I likely get a good 5 to 10 appts. from the Yellow Pages per week - and many include high-end grand piano owners - not just neglected Betsy Ross spinets (I get those also!). So, yes, my feeling is that location has a lot to do with it. The other marketing thing that I have done with very good results is to make a deal with the local music studios/retail stores. These are the ones that have a prominent store front on a main street and rent the school band instruments, etc. They have tons of traffic. I have oral agreements with the two in my area. I tune their pianos quarterly for free, and they give my name out to all piano service inquiries. I get a large response from this source. Good luck. Contact me if you wish to talk any more. I'm happy to help in any way I can. Terry Farrell Tampa, Florida ----- Original Message ----- From: <Tvak@AOL.COM> To: <pianotech@ptg.org> Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 8:59 AM Subject: how long - thanks > Thanks to all for the feedback. I will definitely back up my reminder cards > with a phone call. I'm going to look into those magnetic car-door signs that > Warren Fisher has had so much success with. And I will try to be patient. > > No one responded to my concerns of there being an over-satuation of tuners in > the area. I guess I shouldn't obsess over it. > > Thanks again, > Tom Sivak > Chicago PTG Associate >
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