<html> <body> Marshall, Actually, I was primarily referring to someone just learning how to tune. Can't even set a temperament yet. I try to keep them on unisons until they can do a stable job of that. Before I started with my first "trainee", I asked Jim Coleman for any advice he might have. His comment was to "keep them on unisons until they can tune them as well as you. Then start with the other things." Without that stability, one is basically just spinning his/her wheels. Avery At 04:25 PM 3/5/2006, you wrote: <blockquote type=cite class=cite cite="">  I'm curious what really defines a newbee or newbe, tunings under 100, 500, 1,000, 5,000 pianos?  Marshall   <dl> <dd>-------------- Original message -------------- <dd>From: Avery <avery1@houston.rr.com> <dd>> Hi Jeannie, <dd>> <dd>> At 02:54 PM 3/5/2006, you wrote: <dd>> >Even if it costs a bit more for that training, that sort of investment <dd>> >in your education will repay itself many times over. <dd>> <dd>> That's the problem. Most of the "newbies" don't even have a clue that they <dd>> "should" be paying for their training! :-( I'm working with one now. I know. <dd>> I shouldn't be for free. But it's so hard for me to say no to someone who wants <dd>> to learn! <dd>> <dd>> Avery <dd>> <dd>> <dd>> >There are people with many different skill levels who are teaching. Sadly, <dd>> >many of them should NOT be teaching at all. Congratulations to you for <dd>> >landing a good one. <dd>> >jeannie <dd>> > <dd>> >! Jeannie Grassi, RPT <dd>> >Registered Piano Technician <dd>> >Island Piano Service <dd>> >Bainbridge Island, WA <dd>> >206-842-3721 <dd>> ><a href="mailto:jcgrassi@earthlink.net" eudora="autourl"> mailto:jcgrassi@earthlink.net</a> <dd>> > <dd>> > <dd>> >-----Original Message----- <dd>> >From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [<a href="mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org" eudora="autourl"> mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org</a>] On Behalf <dd>> >Of Norma Neufeld <dd>> >Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 8:32 PM <dd>> >To: Pianotech List <dd>> >Subject: Re: DIRECT MAILING <dd>> > <dd>> >A lot has been written lately about and for rookies, like myself, starting <dd>> >out - how to drum up business, cold calls, mailings, ethics etc, etc. Six <dd>> >months ago I was sitting in an office full time, unhappy, doing the odd <dd>> >tuning. Today, though I struggle at times, about 80 % of my income is from <dd>> >my piano business. It's growing very quickly and here's a couple reasons <dd>> >why I think tha! t's happened. <dd>> > <dd>> >When I first started studying , my mentor made me promise not to go out and <dd>> >mess with peoples pianos until he said I was ready. I kept that promise (a <dd>> >major lesson in patience!), but when I finally did get out there working I <dd>> >was confident in my skills and abilities and I think it shows. I am also <dd>> >very honest with clients when a job is beyond my abilities and have to call <dd>> >in the big guns. They appreciate this and also know their precious piano is <dd>> >getting the best care available. <dd>> > <dd>> >Direct Mailings vs. Cold Calls - Nothing beats a handshake and a smile. <dd>> >IMHO. I don't think cold calls are unethical if handled properly. I <dd>> >visited almost every church in the city last summer and the four main school <dd>> >boards. After an introduction my first question was "Do you have a regular <dd>> >piano technician who cares for your pianos?" If they said "Yes, we use so <dd>> &gt! <dd>;and so" I'd reply with something like "Good, you have one of the best" or <dd>> >"he does nice work, thanks for your time....." Under no circumstance will I <dd>> >attempt to undercut or take business from a colleague, or mislead a <dd>> >potential client in any way. <dd>> > <dd>> >I am still very much a rookie and don't claim to have any answers, but these <dd>> >things have really kick started my career. I also read everything I can get <dd>> >my hands on regarding pianos, I listen way more than I talk when around <dd>> >other techs, joined the PTG, read the Journal, attended my first convention <dd>> >last month (PNW in Calgary, it was great). Warranty tunings for a <dd>> >reputable dealer are an excellent way to build clientele, get to know some <dd>> >music teachers and local pianists, they're a great resource. I love my new <dd>> >career, sure beats sitting in an office! <dd>> > <dd>> &g! <dd>t;Just another rookie trying to help, <dd>> >Norma Neufeld <dd>& <dd> gt; >Saskatoon, SK <dd>> > <dd>> > <dd>> >----- Original Message ----- <dd>> >From: "Dave Bunch" <dd>> >To: "Pianotech List" <dd>> >Sent: Saturday, March 04, 2006 6:01 PM <dd>> >Subject: Re: DIRECT MAILING <dd>> > <dd>> > <dd>> > > Hello- When I first started out 20 years ago and was looking for ways to <dd>> > > drum up business, I made up a promotional letter and sent it to every <dd>> >church <dd>> > > in a 30 mile radius. I found the response rate was about 2%. Not much, but <dd>> > > you have to remember that most places already have a tuner and those that <dd>> > > don't usually like a direct referral from someone that they trust. <dd>> > > <dd>> > > That 2% was a foot in the door, however, and the good work I did allowed <dd>> >me <dd>> > > to keep the accounts and the word spread to other chur! ches and private <dd>> > > owners. Probably the biggest break was when the local piano teacher of <dd>> >great <dd>> > > influence on the music community decided to try out this "upstart". When <dd>> >she <dd>> > > was happy with my work, that opened the floodgate to the other teachers in <dd>> > > the area and their students. It all has to start somewhere. <dd>> > > <dd>> > > Dave Bunch <dd>> > > <dd>> > > <dd>> > <dd>> >_______________________________________________ <dd>> >Pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> <dd>> > <dd>> > <dd>> >_______________________________________________ <dd>> >Pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> <dd>> <dd>> _______________________________________________ <dd>> Pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a> </dl>_______________________________________________ Pianotech list info: <a href="https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives" eudora="autourl"> https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives</a></blockquote></body> </html>