<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN">
<HTML><HEAD>
<META http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; =
charset=iso-8859-1">
<META content="MSHTML 6.00.2800.1106" name=GENERATOR>
<STYLE></STYLE>
</HEAD>
<BODY bgColor=#ffffff>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>You need to take a good look at the =
community in
which you will be working. Seems there is always room for one =
more, but
the how to do its are the problem. When I first started out I was =
in a
moderate sized metropolitan area in FL. There were approximately =
30
members of the local guild chapter. 20, I would say were =
active.
There were about a half dozen non members. I attended every =
chapter
meeting (I think I only missed 5 or so in about 10 years). I =
actively
participated in the chapter, got to know everyone, was treasurer, =
secretary,
worked on seminar committees, etc., etc. My business grew =
steadily.
Other members knew I was serious and began referring customers to =
me. Some
just because I was closer, others because they didn't want the =
job. I had
made it known I would take any job that no one wanted :-). All I =
had was a
yellow page listing. Mostly it was hard work, good work, and
patience. When I decided to relocate to New England, I gave my =
customer
list to a new, young tuner. He has built a full tuning and rebuild =
business for himself.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Now, at my new location, things are =
totally
different. I live in a community of 7,000. If you add in the =
next
city, maybe about 25,000. There are two other techs on "the
island". Yep, got to use a bridge to get just about =
anywhere.
One of the techs has been here *forever* and has most of the =
tunings. In
this situation you have to be careful not to step on anyone's =
toes! I do
know a lot of people in my little town and they have been very generous =
in
handing out my business cards and spreading the word! I have never =
asked
for this - all their idea. I have magnetic signs on my truck and
<cringe> an enlargement of my business card (laminated) on the =
bulletin
board at our local grocery. I have only a listing in the yellow
pages. I have been here for three years and have almost built the =
tuning
end of the business as large as I want it. Certainly not enough to =
live on
by itself but I don't want that anyway. I also run the key =
business and
rebuild players, etc. I'd say tunings account for 1/3 of my
time.</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>The common factor for both situations =
is the
willingness to be patient. Building a good business can't be =
rushed.
If you need to do something else for income while you build the business =
-
fine. As the piano business grows, cut back on "the other =
thing".
And beyond the obvious of quality work and such....enjoy what you
do!</FONT></DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2></FONT> </DIV>
<DIV><FONT face=Arial size=2>Debbie L.</FONT></DIV></BODY></HTML>