<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:st1="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40"> <head> <meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii"> <meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 11 (filtered medium)"> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PostalCode"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="State"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="City"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="place"/> <o:SmartTagType namespaceuri="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" name="PersonName"/>  <style>  </style> </head> <body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=blue> <div class=Section1> My customer database is a simple flat file in Microsoft Works. I copy the table view to an Excel spreadsheet every month then sort out the ones I do not wish to contact for the month. When I am done I have my mail merge file for the post cards and my call back list. I then sort on the email field and all the records with email addresses bubble to the top. I save them to a separate Excel file that becomes my email merge file. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I invested in a nice color laser printer that has built in duplex. Adding color to the postcards, including a color photo of me, really improved the responses. I print onto really nice 32 lb paper with a glossy finish (HP Premium)- 2 cards per sheet (5.5x8.5). I cut the sheet in half and slap on a stamp. Postal regs will allow you to get 4 cards off one 8.5x11 sheet and use a post card stamp. I like the larger size but it takes a first class stamp. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> Having the color laser is really useful. I use it to print out thank you cards on the same paper, same size (5.5x8.5) which folded in half makes 5.5x4.25 and that fits into an invitation envelope. It has a piano graphic on the outside and inside a picture of me with a preprinted message and contact information at the bottom. I send one after every tuning appointment with a hand written note. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I also use the printer to print out business cards on the same paper- full color business cards with my picture! Those cost a fortune at the printers, but are dirt cheap this way. <o:p></o:p> <o:p> </o:p> I think it is a Ricoh C410DN, cost about $1000 street price, but the consumables are the cheapest of any of them out there and that is what will kill you. I had an HP color laser that only cost $500 but the consumables costs ate me up. I did quite a bit of research to find which was the cheapest cost per sheet and the 410 was the cheapest I saw. Of course that was a year ago. Things may be different now. <o:p></o:p> <div> Dean<o:p></o:p> <u1:PersonName u2:st="on">Dean May</u1:PersonName>             cell 812.239.3359 <o:p></o:p> PianoRebuilders.com   812.235.5272 <o:p></o:p> <u1:place u2:st="on"><u1:City u2:st="on"><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on">Terre Haute</st1:City></u1:City> <u1:State u2:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">IN</u1:State></st1:State>  <u1:PostalCode u2:st="on"><st1:PostalCode w:st="on">47802</u1:PostalCode></st1:PostalCode></st1:place></u1:place><o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <div class=MsoNormal align=center style='text-align:center'> <hr size=2 width="100%" align=center tabindex=-1> </div> From: pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] On Behalf Of John Formsma Sent: Sunday, December 16, 2007 11:06 PM To: <st1:PersonName w:st="on">Pianotech List</st1:PersonName> Subject: Re: E-mailing reminders<o:p></o:p> </div> <o:p> </o:p> <div> On Dec 16, 2007 7:38 PM, Willem Blees <<a href="mailto:wimblees@aol.com">wimblees@aol.com</a>> wrote:<o:p></o:p> Does anyone e-mail tuning reminder notices to customers? What kind of results do you get? How do you set up your "system"?<o:p></o:p> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> For me it has been mixed.  Mostly poor response.  But it follows the general trend of customers:  the better ones tend to respond...whatever the method of contact. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> The best way for me to generate tuning income has been to pick up the phone and call.  I don't like calling, but I do what it takes to get the business going.  We have to get that mindset. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> The second best way has been postcards.  It doesn't get near the response of phoning, but it is a good reminder.  It's a mass-marketing thing.  You have these postcards doing the work for you without your having to be on the phone.  People hang on to those cards for a long time.  They get put on the fridge or next to the piano.  If for no other reason to mail cards, it keeps your name in front of them. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> If anyone uses software to automatically generate mass emails, I'd love to hear how it works for you.   I tend to think emails just aren't the best option for most people.  I wish everyone did email as much as I do, but it's not that way with many of my customers. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> <div> I like the immediate response from phoning.  Emails tend to get buried.  If you have a good customer (doctors, lawyers, etc.), I think they are more apt to schedule the appointment by phone rather than email.  I go through the list of my best customers and call them first.  Usually, 20-30 minutes of that will generate the work I'm looking for.  Sometimes it takes more time, though.  Persistence pays off. <o:p></o:p> </div> <div> <o:p> </o:p> </div> </div> -- JF <o:p></o:p> </div> </body> </html>