[pianotech] Tuning in a down economy

[Tom Servinsky]

Ryan,
Agree.
Something else needs to be said about finding ways to keep your business afloat during a down economy.
 Many times we ( as small business owners)  are so engrossed into the everyday to day happenings with our businesses, that we fail to realize that the public knows very little what we do or the latest happenings in our business.
Sometimes, something as  little as sending a announcement to the local newspapers that you've attended a seminar can add some interest to the public idea. This can result in more people responding to those postcards.
Something else which is affective: good gestures to your  community.
I happened upon a Yamaha U1 this year which was destined for the dump as it was dropped and the insurance company deemed it worthless material. Although it had a serious crack and gouge in the soundboard, along with some cosmetic issues, the remainder of the piano was fine. I took the piano in, did some repairs, and then donated the piano to my daughter's high school band room. The delight and excitement on the director's and administrator's face was well worth the effort. 
 I didn't do for the public attention, but as a good gesture towards the school who was having serious financial issues and couldn't afford to add a better piano to the program.  The public acknowledgement which came afterward was overwhelming, which resulted a lot of new customers finding interest in using my services. The cost of my time and delivery was far less vs. the business I received afterwards.
The school acknowledged the gesture in several articles to the newspapers, plus announcements during school production events. The word got out and the result was very positive.
I was surprised that some heard of the news were my neighbors, who never knew what type of work I did. Some even walked their dogs during the same time that I did and weren't even remotely aware of what I did. Whose fault is that. Mine.
Bottom line, in a down economy, work harder at keeping your name in the public eye. There's plenty of business out there. You just have to find ways to make your services worthwhile and of interest to the public. As old fisherman usually say, " if you want more worms, turn over more rocks"
Tom Servinsky

----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Ryan Sowers 
  To: pianotech at ptg.org 
  Sent: Friday, March 20, 2009 9:08 PM
  Subject: Re: [pianotech] Tuning in a down economy


  Postage on 250 cards is around 60 bucks if you generated 5 responses you probably generated around $500 worth of work - That's NOT lousy, its not bad. You have to keep expectations realistic with this kind of marketing. Professional sales people know this well don't see it is 245 negatives but focus on the 5 positives. Think of what those telemarketers have to put up with. But the reason companies keep using this method is that it actually can work!

  I also am a believer in making sure you're business stays in the public consciousness. Even though you only received 5 appointments you also injected the idea of piano servicing into the public mind. Keep it up! It will eventually pay off more than you realize. 


  On Fri, Mar 20, 2009 at 12:17 PM, Daniel Carlton <carltonpiano at sbcglobal.net> wrote:



    sent out about 250 postcards last summer, received maybe 5 responses. LOUSY!

    Daniel Carlton

    This message was NOT sent from my iPhone, because I don't have one




  -- 
  Ryan Sowers, RPT
  Puget Sound Chapter
  Olympia, WA
  www.pianova.net
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