the economy

[Phil Manning]

I'm green as a technician. I'm just starting out, in fact, but I'm not 
green in small business.

Here's a few personal observations...

1. When times are tough & money is tight, there's a tendency for small 
business owners to cut back on their marketing budget. I don't think 
this is wise. In fact I think this is the time to evaluate marketing 
strategies for effectiveness, to make sure we maintain and even increase 
our base during the hard times.

2. In my experience, price shoppers don't have much else to go on, 
that's why we should take the opportunity to graciously educate them. A 
little time spent in this area can turn a tire-kicker into a regular. 
People who ask for price first don't always buy based on price. Often 
they're unconsciously looking for someone to help them make a good 
decision with their money. The price question is often just the 
conversation starter.

3. I've observed that in tight times people very often adjust their 
values. For instance, they're more likely to buy a piano rather than 
upgrade a car, repair an older piano rather than purchase new, budget 
for tuning & maintaining a piano rather than dinners & movies during the 
same time period. I use piano examples to suggest how some technicians 
might have been surprised by steady or increased business during 
economic downturn.

please forgive me if it seems I've over-simplified the issue

Phil Manning





Kerry wrote:
> That's an interesting approach...what kind of local groups and what kind of
> advertising? Most ads I've bought have brought me mostly price-shoppers.
>
> Kerry Kean
> Kent, Ohio
>
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Dave Davis [mailto:dave at davispiano.com] 
> Sent: Wednesday, October 08, 2008 9:44 AM
> To: Pianotech List
> Subject: Re: the economy
>
> I raised my fees 15%, minimized discounts, updated my web site, and
> increased advertising with local groups. This has resulted in more new calls
> in addition to my regular customers.
>
> Dave Davis, RPT
>  
> ------Original Message------
> From: richard.ucci at att.net
> Sender: pianotech-bounces at ptg.org
> To: pianotech
> ReplyTo: Pianotech List
> Subject: the economy
> Sent: Oct 8, 2008 6:01 AM
>
> List, 
> Our services are postponable, and are more of a luxury than a necessity to
> most people, Fill the tank with gas, or tune the piano? 
>   
> What if anything are any of you considering to maintain business in the
> comming months with the economy looking so bleak? 
>   
> Cutting fees? 
> Other discounts? 
> Other services? 
>   
> Thanks , 
> Rick Ucci/Ucci Piano 
>
> Best regards,
> Dave Davis
> Davis Piano Service
> 425-226-0102
>
>
>
>
>   
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