<html><body> <DIV><FONT face="Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif">Hi Alan,</FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>I do the same thing. I'll ask the cashier at Walmart, anyone I happen to run into.  I get the strangest reactions, but I enjoy a good laugh when I get home and think about their reaction, but I did get a card out , and that's what matters.  I hung some cards on a bulitin board at a grocery store, and an insurance man called me trying to sell me ins. with his company whom I had through another agent.  The thing is, I send my cards, or give them out, but no calls. </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Marshall</FONT></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #1010ff 2px solid">-------------- Original message -------------- <BR>From: "Alan Barnard" <tune4u@earthlink.net> <BR> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR> <STYLE></STYLE> <DIV> <DIV>Sure, why not?</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Also, I built business in the early days by asking EVERYONE I met (gas stations, libraries, everywhere ...) "Do you have a piano in your home?'  If they say no, you say, "Do you know someone who does?' No? "How about your church?"</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>The point is, "Here's my card."</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV> <DIV>Alan Barnard</DIV> <DIV>Salem, Missouri</DIV> <DIV> </DIV></DIV></DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt Arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=pianotune05@comcast.net href="mailto:pianotune05@comcast.net">pianotune05</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To: </B><A title=mjmccoy@usa.com href="mailto:mjmccoy@usa.com">mjmccoy@usa.com</A>;<A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A></DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> 01/27/2006 8:46:02 PM </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Prospecting -- Key Source</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV><FONT size=2> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>What can a sight impaired guy who doesn' t drive do to replace the lettering idea?  we have a car, but my wife uses it.  We use it together when we clean offices in the evening.  Would a sign work if I'm not the one using the car most of the time? </FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT face=Arial>Marshall</FONT></DIV> <BLOCKQUOTE dir=ltr style="PADDING-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-LEFT: 5px; BORDER-LEFT: #000000 2px solid; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px"> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial">----- Original Message ----- </DIV> <DIV style="BACKGROUND: #e4e4e4; FONT: 10pt arial; font-color: black"><B>From:</B> <A title=mjmccoy@usa.com href="mailto:mjmccoy@usa.com">Mike McCoy</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>To:</B> <A title=tune4u@earthlink.net href="mailto:tune4u@earthlink.net">tune4u@earthlink.net</A> ; <A title=pianotech@ptg.org href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">Pianotech List</A> </DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Sent:</B> Friday, January 27, 2006 7:21 PM</DIV> <DIV style="FONT: 10pt arial"><B>Subject:</B> Re: Prospecting -- Key Source</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV>Agreed,<BR><BR> I get far more useful business from the vehicle lettering. Professional vinyl lettering as well, not the magnetic signs. The phone book works to a degree,  but it is almost always a price checker. If I take the time to explain what RPT means ( I don't think I would have to explain it if it were Certified Piano Tech) and give them an idea what the price range is in this area, I typically get the business. I do not pursue other Technicians customers at all, they are my friends and I would be very uncomfortable with that approach. Also, for some unknown reason, a number of piano teachers in the area are recommending me, but I have had no contact with any of them.<BR><BR>Mike<BR><BR><PRE class=moz-signature cols="72">Mike McCoy Registered Piano Technician Langhorne, Pa. Chapters 170 & 190 PTG</PRE><BR><BR>Alan Barnard wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE cite=mid410-22006152722475390@earthlink.net type="cite"> <META content="MSHTML 6.00.2900.2802" name=GENERATOR> <P></P> <DIV>Been following the thread and was reminded today of a very important source of business: The vinyl lettering on my truck!</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I parked across the street from a small town restaurant (lunch!) and found a note on my windshield from a new customer. Then, while depositing some checks at the bank, a lady in the drive-up lane next to mine was miming and mouthing "Do you tune pianos?" and "Do you have a card?" after which she snuck out of her car and came over to get my card.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>I paid about $250 for lettering and pictures (both sides and back). This one-time expense has repaid itself many, many times.</DIV> <DIV> </DIV> <DIV>Alan Barnard</DIV> <DIV>Salem, Missouri</DIV> <DIV> </DIV></BLOCKQUOTE><BR><PRE class=moz-signature cols="72">-- Mike McCoy Registered Piano Technician 52 Crestview Ave Langhorne, Pa.19047 Chapters 170 & 190 PTG <A class=moz-txt-link-freetext href="mailto:mike@mccoyspiano.com">mailto:mike@mccoyspiano.com</A></PRE></BLOCKQUOTE></FONT></BLOCKQUOTE></BLOCKQUOTE></body></html>