<HTML><HEAD></HEAD> <BODY> That's a great idea about referrals and the $5 off= the next service, which would probably keep them up with= inflation...;-]   I'm going to consider= it.   I do ask where they got my name and note it= in database but I don't do much with that info... David I.     ----- Original message= ----------------------------------------> From: Greg= Newell <<A= href="mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net">gnewell@ameritech.net</A>&gt= ; To: Pianotech <<A= href="mailto:pianotech@ptg.org">pianotech@ptg.org</A>> Rec= eived: Sun, 28 Nov 2004 10:45:42 -0500 Subject: Re: starting= the business <P= align=left> Dave, <X-TAB>     &nb= sp;  </X-TAB>You have some really good ideas here. I= hope you take advantage of them. Hang in there, it gets better.= I would only ad that I have employed a simple method that still,= after 20 years, puts smiles on my customers faces. It so simple= too. When I get a call from a new customer I ask them how they= heard of me. When they mention an existing customers name that= existing customer automatically gets a thank you card. On that= card they are instructed to save it (the card) and use it for= $50 off their next service. For some it just makes them smile= but for others it is a catalyst to make them go out and tell= every one who will listen about me. Now it's not likely that= they would do that if they weren't satisfied with my work so= it's sort of a double plus. I really don't do much advertising= at all in an area filled with techs. Naturally being around for= 20 years has a bit to do with that but really, so does the above= mentioned method. Give it a try. The only thing you have to lose= is the $5 off their NEXT service. That also means that to cash= in they have to have you out one more time at least,= right. Good Luck! Greg Newell At 09:21= AM 11/28/2004, you wrote: <BLOCKQUOTE class=cite cite="" type="cite">    Hi Dave:     I see= some great ideas and answers to your question.  Here's what= worked for me:     I sent a letter of= introduction to all the churches and schools in the area I= wanted to cover, telling about my services, membership in PTG= and any introductory offers I wanted to= mention.    The same goes for music stores and= piano teachers.  You want to spend your time and money= where it will do the most good.  I took out small ads in= local papers and the free advertiser tabloids.  They don't= cost much and keep your name in front of the public.  Some= techs report good results with magnetic signs on their vehicle,= I also had a small nicely lettered sign at the end of my= driveway that was productive.     I agree with= Dave about yellow pages, it works but mainly it keeps your name= in everyone's home when needed.  I got almost no play from= the web.   Be sure to ask customers if you can check= with them in 6 months or a year to see how their piano is doing= and does it need tuning.  Also ask each new customer how= they found you, that will indicate where your work is coming= from.  Word of mouth works best, but only after you've been= around for awhile.  If you are in an area with  a lot= of other technicians, you need to get creative and do things a= little differently.  Good Luck....    = Mike Kurta</BLOCKQUOTE><X-SIGSEP> </X-SIGSEP>Greg Newell Greg's piano Forté <A= href="mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net"= eudora="autourl">mailto:gnewell@ameritech.net</A>= </BODY></HTML>