<HTML><BODY BGCOLOR="#ffffff">In a message dated 11/26/04 9:59:26 A= M Pacific Standard Time, mcbeach@earthlink.net writes: <BLOCKQUOTE TYPE=CITE style="BORDER-LEFT: #0000ff 2px solid; MARGIN-= LEFT: 5px; MARGIN-RIGHT: 0px; PADDING-LEFT: 5px">HI List: First let me say thanks for all the good information we read daily on th= is new list. I would like to ask as a new beginner, does anyone have any comments or = ideas on the best way to ' get the business going '?? How effective is the yellow pages, web page etc??? I'm currently practicing with the cyber tuner, and trying to work on aur= al tuning but have not conquered the aural part yet.  I'm determined I = will in time.  Just anxious to get the business off the ground floor ! Currently I'm reworking a 51" upright for a friend.  New key bushin= gs, most action felts, bridle straps, new strings etc etc. Would love any comments you might have. </BLOCKQUOTE> Dave, Keep at it.  I've found that persistence is key.  Try to get w= ork with stores, both in-store and warranty tunings, work conscientiously, l= earn as much as possible.  You can only get better.   Make people feel comfortable having you in their homes.  Like what = you do, like their pianos.  If you do good work and are ethical, word o= f mouth will eventually get you lots of clients. Use the telephone.  While I find calling customers to be the least = enjoyable part of being self-employed, it does stir up business. Yellow pages haven't done much for me besides allowing my number to be p= ublicly listed should one of my clients lose my card.  Most of the call= s I've gotten from those listings are price shoppers.  I would say take= out an ad, but don't spend godzillions of dollars on it. Be as involved in the PTG as possible.  And utilize this list! &nbs= p;The members herein have helped me so many times, I wouldn't even try to co= unt.   I live in an area with lots of technicians, but business has increased t= his year.  I owe this to my business being relatively new--still growin= g, still getting lots of new piano clients from the two stores I do work for= .  There is very little time in my schedule to do in-store tunings. Best of luck, Dave Stahl </HTML>