<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0 Transitional//EN"> <HTML><HEAD> <META content="text/html; charset=us-ascii" http-equiv=Content-Type><BASE href="x-msg://96/"> <META name=GENERATOR content="MSHTML 9.00.8112.16446"></HEAD> <BODY style="WORD-WRAP: break-word; -webkit-nbsp-mode: space; -webkit-line-break: after-white-space"> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>>><FONT color=#000000 size=3 face="Times New Roman">do you mean that somehow you can get your current land-business-line number assigned to your cell phone (and drop your land business line also)?</FONT></SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>Yes, that is exactly it. I initially ported (porting is what they call it) my number to Tracfone years ago, then to Net10, now to StraightTalk. I also have my toll free number (888-DEAN-MAY) forward to my cell as well. Power Net Global handles my toll free number for dirt cheap. To get your own vanity toll free number check out <A href="http://www.tollfreenumbers.com">www.tollfreenumbers.com</A>. I used it to see that the number I wanted was available and Power Net Global was able to secure it for me for free, I think (it was a few years ago). I also got one for my brothers carpet cleaning business, 877-MARK-MAY</SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>Straight Talk has a $45/mo unlimited everything (3G, text, talk) for their Android phones. They sell a few Droid phones at the WalMart phone center, but I think they use a limited network coverage. Straight Talk also offers a SIM card for any unlocked GSM phone (like AT&T). I picked up a used Samsung Infuse, ordered the SIM card from Straight Talks web site ($14.95), then on activation I told them I wanted to port my old number. I got my wife's phone from the WalMart center and my Infuse has way better coverage. It may be different now, but I know the AT&T phones work and they use the AT&T network. And they don't even have to be unlocked to use the Straight Talk SIM card. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>The only downside to using Straight Talk is if you don't add air time and let it lapse for as little as 4 hours, you can loose your number and it is a royal pain to get it back, DAMHIK. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>I like the Infuse as it has a very nice big screen, easy for my fat fingers. I have a handlebar mount for my motorcycle to use the GPS, Bluetooth headphones for taking calls or listening to internet radio, Pandora, or my music files. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV dir=ltr align=left><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>Android phones work very seemlessly with Google products. So when I add an appointment to the Google Calendar on my laptop, I put the address in the location field and phone numbers in the description field. Then it shows up on the phone. I touch the address and it pulls up the map, touch Navigation and it navigates me to it using GPS. Or I can touch one of the phone numbers and the phone dialer pops up. Pretty nice. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>You can pick whatever number you want for frequency of mailings. Mailings are pretty cheap and I just wanted to keep my name in front of the customers which is why I picked 4 times a year. I used to do it twice a year. I also found a rural trash collection service in an outlying area with a customer base of 6000 who includes my flyer in their invoice envelope. my flier also has my brother's carpet cleaning business, so he helps pay for the mailing. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>We invested in a pretty nice Richo C430DN color laserjet printer. It does auto duplexing (prints both sides at once). This enables us to produce a very professional looking piece, and mail merge individual customer info on each page (last tune date, address, salutation, etc). I created the ad copy myself using Adobe Photoshop, but you can get good results just using Microsoft Word or your favorite graphics program. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>We print to a full sized 8.5x11, fold in half with address on outside, slap a stamp on, and mail. I use a good 30 lb paper and never have any trouble with post office. With lighter paper, you get trouble with their sorting machines. I have used card stock in the past and cut out 4x6 postcards. You can save a little on postage doing that, but I like the impact of the bigger sheet. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>I also collect email addresses from all my clients. Probably 40% of my active customers I have an email address for. So when I send their mailer at the first of the month they also get an email. I get 10 to 15 a month that respond to the email with dates that work for them. I pick the best date for me and respond to their email to confirm the appoitment. Way easier than phone calls. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>I have an email template in Word. Word allows mail merging to a printer or to email. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>My post office Word template is 2.7 MB file size so I don't want to post it to the list, but will be happy to send it to any who request. Or just send me your snail mail address and I'll pop one in the mail to you. Please respond off list so we don't clutter up the list. </SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012>Thanks,</SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN class=998562823-21062012></SPAN></FONT> </DIV> <DIV><FONT color=#0000ff size=2 face=Arial><SPAN style="Z-INDEX: -1; POSITION: absolute; MARGIN: 513px auto auto 2px; WIDTH: 768px; HEIGHT: 512px; mso-ignore: vglayout"></SPAN></FONT></DIV> <DIV align=left> <DIV> <P class=MsoAutoSig align=left><B><FONT color=navy size=5 face="Lucida Calligraphy"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'Lucida Calligraphy'; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold">Dean</SPAN></FONT></B><B><FONT color=navy size=5 face="CAC Leslie"><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: 'CAC Leslie'; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 20pt; FONT-WEIGHT: bold"><?xml:namespace prefix = o ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" /><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></B></P> <P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT color=navy size=2 face=AGaramond><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: AGaramond; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">Dean W May                (812) 235-5272 voice and text</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoAutoSig><FONT color=navy size=2 face=AGaramond><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: AGaramond; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 10pt">PianoRebuilders.com    (888) DEAN-MAY</SPAN></FONT><FONT color=navy><SPAN style="COLOR: navy"><o:p></o:p></SPAN></FONT></P> <P class=MsoAutoSig><ST1:PLACE u1:st="on"><?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:smarttags" /><st1:place w:st="on"><st1:City w:st="on"><FONT color=navy size=2 face=AGaramond><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: AGaramond; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"><?XML:NAMESPACE PREFIX = U2 /><U2:CITY u1:st="on">Terre Haute</SPAN></FONT></st1:City><FONT color=navy size=2 face=AGaramond><SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: AGaramond; COLOR: navy; FONT-SIZE: 10pt"></U2:CITY> <U2:STATE u1:st="on"><st1:State w:st="on">IN</U2:STATE></st1:State> <U2:POSTALCODE u1:st="on"><st1:PostalCode w:st="on">47802</U2:POSTALCODE></st1:PostalCode></SPAN></FONT></st1:place><o:p></o:p></P></DIV></DIV></ST1:PLACE> <DIV> </DIV><BR> <DIV dir=ltr lang=en-us class=OutlookMessageHeader align=left> <HR tabIndex=-1> <FONT size=2 face=Tahoma><B>From:</B> pianotech-bounces@ptg.org [mailto:pianotech-bounces@ptg.org] <B>On Behalf Of </B>Terry Farrell<BR><B>Sent:</B> Thursday, June 21, 2012 11:13 AM<BR><B>To:</B> pianotech@ptg.org<BR><B>Subject:</B> Re: [pianotech] Yellow pages<BR></FONT><BR></DIV> <DIV></DIV>Hi Dean.  <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>I'm hoping to justify dropping the Yellow Pages in the near future. Can you please explain exactly what you mean by "port your business number to your cell phone" - do you mean that somehow you can get your current land-business-line number assigned to your cell phone (and drop your land business line also)? <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Also, you say your "<SPAN style="FONT-FAMILY: Arial; COLOR: rgb(0,0,255); FONT-SIZE: small" class=Apple-style-span>Active customers (within the last 5-8 years) get a mailer 4 times a year, inactive get it once a year."</SPAN></DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>What form does your mailer take and what information is in it? And why 4 times per year for active customers? How often do most of your regular customers have their piano tuned (down here in Florida it's once per year for most folks)?</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Thanks!!</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV>Terry Farrell</DIV> <DIV><BR></DIV> <DIV><BR> <DIV> <DIV>On Jun 21, 2012, at 8:17 AM, Dean May wrote:</DIV><BR class=Apple-interchange-newline> <BLOCKQUOTE type="cite"><SPAN style="WIDOWS: 2; TEXT-TRANSFORM: none; TEXT-INDENT: 0px; LETTER-SPACING: normal; BORDER-COLLAPSE: separate; FONT: medium Helvetica; WHITE-SPACE: normal; ORPHANS: 2; WORD-SPACING: 0px; -webkit-border-horizontal-spacing: 0px; -webkit-border-vertical-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-decorations-in-effect: none; -webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px" class=Apple-style-span> <DIV> <DIV style="MARGIN: 0px" dir=ltr align=left><FONT size=2 face=Arial></FONT> </DIV></DIV></SPAN></BLOCKQUOTE></DIV><BR></DIV></DIV></BODY></HTML>