Pianotech

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

While I was growing my piano tuning business I had two other jobs. I taught drums lessons, through a local music store, which gave me an "in" to get more piano tunings, and I delivered papers. USA Today & Wall St. Journal. Not at the same time but those were 2 that I delivered for. They don't have weekend editions so that was nice and since the delivery was early it didn't interfere with scheduling tunings. Is there an instrument you play that you could give lessons on? 

You could go around to churches and give them your card. It's surprising how many don't have a regular tuner. Also, I'd recommend signs for your car. It's a rolling billboard. Magnetic signs aren't very expensive and the return is awesome. I've handed out lots of cards in parking lots and when you're at an appt people in the neighborhood see them. Again, I've handed out a lot of cards when I went out to my car. 

I agree with you on not doing highly discounted tunings. I have only 2 discounts I give. Piano teachers and churches get $10 off.

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Maybe check Craigslist and find a piano or two to fix up and sell. Don't lower your price, maybe raise it. How far is the average commute? For me, it's probably 30 round trip. Save shop work for down time after first of the year. Offer floor tunings to a local store(s) in exchange for referrals. Put an ad on Craigslist, offer something free (cleaning or pitch raise). Offer free tuning to church if at least 4 congregation members have theirs tuned. Offer a colleague some shop help. Learn a new skill like touchup, which you can use to branch out into other types of repair. Stores always need touchup, especially if you can do polyester repair.
Drive for Uber? I dunno.. Hold sign on corner "Will Tune 4 Food". (Be sure to look a bit disheveled. You'll probably make more doing this than tuning).
Paul McCloud
San Diego


Original Message------

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin,

Do you have a website? If not, I would recommend building one. Then, make the website such that when YOU look at it, you would say: "I'm going call this guy".  If it's boring to you, it will be boring to anyone else. If it is interesting and inviting to you, it will provoke the same reaction in others. 

As I recall, you feel that some of your "competition" is a little on the unethical side.  I may be wrong but that is what I gathered from some of your previous posts. If so, you need to differentiate yourself in a dignified way. Give people reasons to call you (even though your fees may be higher...and they should be...preferably the highest).

How do you support yourself primarily at this time?

Edit: Okay, I see you do have a reasonably good website. One suggestion though would be not to mix your services to the trade with your "retail" client services. (Just my opinion).

Also, you might try putting a good photo of yourself seated at a nice piano in as well. (Maybe I missed it). And put your phone number right on the first page where it can be accessed with greatest ease.

Finally, a quick reading of your about page could cause many to conclude that you have only been doing this for about a year. This can be a turn off for many. You might try reworking the whole thing without reference to time. (Again just an opinion).

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin

The only way to grow your business is to work it. People don't know you exists. So you need to do everything you can to let people know your out there. And there is nothing better than the old fashioned way, the US mail. Send a post card to every church and school in your area saying you are a piano tuner As someone said, it's amazing how many school and churches do not have a regular piano tuner.

You want to send a post card, on yellow or red card stock, because its short and simple. Just say you're a piano tuner, with your contact information. It's easy to read, and will fit on a desk, or a door. A letter is to hard to open, and is easily lost amongst other letters and magazines. Don't expect all of them to call, You might get only one out of 20 or 30 to call you. But it gets your name out there. Some might not call you now, but will wait until next year. If you have the time, a personal visit might help, too. But I've found that not to be too effective. 

Someone else mentioned Craig's list. Not only under professional services, but put an ad in the piano sales section. "used piano for sale", then when they open it they read this: "Before you purchase a used piano, make sure you're getting what you pay for. Have the piano appraised by a professional piano tuner/technician."  Then list your contact information. You might not get calls for the inspection, but for tuning, after they buy the piano.

You should also get involved with the local area Piano Teachers and/or Music Teachers Association. They put on programs once a year, and they are always looking for advertisers to help defray the cost printing the programs. Then they will also send you the roster of all the members of the Music and Piano teachers, including their e-mail addresses. Send all of them your contact information. Again, you won't get many to respond, because most already have a piano tuner, But some might try you, or give your name out to their students. Some will call right away and ask how much you charge, and will want to know if you give them a discount for being a teacher and/or referring students. It's up to you how you want to handle it. I would offer a teacher 10% discount right off the bat, and more if you get referrals. 

Hope this helps.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 21:33
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin

The only way to grow your business is to work it. People don't know you exists. So you need to do everything you can to let people know your out there. And there is nothing better than the old fashioned way, the US mail. Send a post card to every church and school in your area saying you are a piano tuner As someone said, it's amazing how many school and churches do not have a regular piano tuner.

You want to send a post card, on yellow or red card stock, because its short and simple. Just say you're a piano tuner, with your contact information. It's easy to read, and will fit on a desk, or a door. A letter is to hard to open, and is easily lost amongst other letters and magazines. Don't expect all of them to call, You might get only one out of 20 or 30 to call you. But it gets your name out there. Some might not call you now, but will wait until next year. If you have the time, a personal visit might help, too. But I've found that not to be too effective.

Someone else mentioned Craig's list. Not only under professional services, but put an ad in the piano sales section. "used piano for sale", then when they open it they read this: "Before you purchase a used piano, make sure you're getting what you pay for. Have the piano appraised by a professional piano tuner/technician."  Then list your contact information. You might not get calls for the inspection, but for tuning, after they buy the piano.

You should also get involved with the local area Piano Teachers and/or Music Teachers Association. They put on programs once a year, and they are always looking for advertisers to help defray the cost printing the programs. Then they will also send you the roster of all the members of the Music and Piano teachers, including their e-mail addresses. Send all of them your contact information. Again, you won't get many to respond, because most already have a piano tuner, But some might try you, or give your name out to their students. Some will call right away and ask how much you charge, and will want to know if you give them a discount for being a teacher and/or referring students. It's up to you how you want to handle it. I would offer a teacher 10% discount right off the bat, and more if you get referrals.

Hope this helps.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Hi Benjamin,
I went to your website home page, here's is my takeaway. Hope it helps some. 

(Do You )Seek Professional Piano Services for your next piano tuning or repair needs! We are dedicated to excellence, serving in Lompoc, Santa Maria, Buellton, Vandenberg AFB, and the surrounding areas. Whether applying our skills in a concert hall or the comfort of your home, our personalized(?)standard is always the best. As Piano Technician Benjamin Sanchez says, 

​

"My work as a piano technician means more than just tuning pianos as fast as possible(weak strawman argument); it means I do my best to model these instruments to the standards of their owner's expectation(?)." How about, I aim to exceed your expectations?

​

Read our story here.


To me, this seems a little confusing going back and forth between we and me. If someone else wrote it, and is talking about you, then ok fine. But, I got the feeling you wrote the whole thing and are pretending to be two people.

I'm not terribly excited about the name of your company either. Sounds generic, and impersonal. Probably hundreds with the same name. Not a way to stand out. Sanchez Piano Service sounds a heck of a lot better to me.  
Another common mistake ( and this is something I recently started doing myself) is to have pictures of  pianos by themselves. Not a good picture when trying to sell a personal friendly service. There should be people in the picture with the piano, to bring life to the home page. People with smiles playing a piano you just finished, says a lot. We are not really in the piano business, we are in the make people happy business. When you start thinking that way, then you your business will grow.

Here's a lesson I learned from my dad. He work as a computer engineer in the early days for Xerox. He started a ornamental iron business on the weekends for extra money. Within a couple of years he was making more money on the weekends. That's when you know when to go full time.
-chris

------------------------------
I have a piano in my Nuclear Fallout Shelter, and my competitors don't. How silly is that?

chernobieffpiano.com
865-986-7720
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 21:46
From: Larry Messerly
Subject: Growing Your Business

Delete your 2016 reference, no one is impressed. I presume you got 1,000 business cards when you started out. If you're not on your second thousand you are not using them enough. After a tuning I always give at least 3 cards. "One to file and two for your friends."  Never talk down another tuner, simply say "this is how i would have done that." Don't discount, you don't want those customers. Raise your price and give a little more. I offer free professional key cleaning. Not telling them I clean the keys before tuning for my health.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 21:33
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin

The only way to grow your business is to work it. People don't know you exists. So you need to do everything you can to let people know your out there. And there is nothing better than the old fashioned way, the US mail. Send a post card to every church and school in your area saying you are a piano tuner As someone said, it's amazing how many school and churches do not have a regular piano tuner.

You want to send a post card, on yellow or red card stock, because its short and simple. Just say you're a piano tuner, with your contact information. It's easy to read, and will fit on a desk, or a door. A letter is to hard to open, and is easily lost amongst other letters and magazines. Don't expect all of them to call, You might get only one out of 20 or 30 to call you. But it gets your name out there. Some might not call you now, but will wait until next year. If you have the time, a personal visit might help, too. But I've found that not to be too effective.

Someone else mentioned Craig's list. Not only under professional services, but put an ad in the piano sales section. "used piano for sale", then when they open it they read this: "Before you purchase a used piano, make sure you're getting what you pay for. Have the piano appraised by a professional piano tuner/technician."  Then list your contact information. You might not get calls for the inspection, but for tuning, after they buy the piano.

You should also get involved with the local area Piano Teachers and/or Music Teachers Association. They put on programs once a year, and they are always looking for advertisers to help defray the cost printing the programs. Then they will also send you the roster of all the members of the Music and Piano teachers, including their e-mail addresses. Send all of them your contact information. Again, you won't get many to respond, because most already have a piano tuner, But some might try you, or give your name out to their students. Some will call right away and ask how much you charge, and will want to know if you give them a discount for being a teacher and/or referring students. It's up to you how you want to handle it. I would offer a teacher 10% discount right off the bat, and more if you get referrals.

Hope this helps.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Hello, Benjamin

I've walked this route before. The sooner you tune more than one piano a week, the better.

Don't lower your rates, raise them, till you are just slightly (SLIGHTLY) over the average for your area. Then provide superb service, use every possible opportunity to learn more about your trade, and follow through on every problem you encounter, whether or not you will get properly paid for it. Don't chintz out with the time spent per job -- give it the time it needs. Even though I'm pushing 40 years in this business, I still like to do a little bit more and better than my customer expects.

Get to know piano teachers and public school music teachers. Get to know the teacher organizations, like the MTNA and the California group. You might offer to give them a program on how to maintain their pianos, or on Piano Anatomy 101. When I was in Stockton (we all make mistakes ...) they even asked me to be a board member of the teachers group, because no one else wanted to do it. So I said yes. It's up to you whether or not you want to give them a discount, but there are two things about discounts which you should recognize:

1. Once you give a discount, you can't stop giving it.

2. Very low rates attract the wrong sort of customers.

If you can find some concert work, even very modest concerts, go to the concert and check the tuning at intermission (yes, in front of everybody). The whole concert audience, who automatically are more interested than average in music, will know you by sight. Have a lot of cards with you, and your date book. Plus you get in for free. Oh, and the piano has to sound glorious. Work hard on tuning stability and learn to tidy up voicing with the chopstick needle, as a routine.

P.S. One thing I did, though it was not totally sincere: when I had far too little work and was just beginning, and someone wanted to schedule a tuning, I said I was booked out a week or two. In particular, a store selling not very good pianos wanted me to do floor tunings at a deep discount. The sales person suggested that I might need to get more work -- "Oh, no," I said, "I'm very busy!" And I wouldn't do the floor tunings super cheap. They quickly learned that when their other (cheapo) tuners messed up they could send me, full price, and I'd get it all to come right. I also didn't need to tune a whole raft of poorly built Daewoo grands and Kimball spinets and consoles, for pennies. It was hard enough fixing some of the weird things which were wrong with them, but at least I learned from figuring out their problems, and I was decently if not gloriously paid.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

I second Susan. The only clients that get quick service are existing clients. " I can fit you in if I can come Thursday at 3pm or Friday at 8am.

Also change the name of your business to the generic name of your area or some geological feature. Of course you'll need another order of cards.

Gazelle has a free version for those with fewer than 50 actively managed clients. There self scheduling link is nice and it doesn't allow scheduling in the next two or three days without calling. You can also block out the times you are available to make it look like you're in demand. Put the self scheduling link on the website and in your email signature.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 22:31
From: Susan Kline
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello, Benjamin

I've walked this route before. The sooner you tune more than one piano a week, the better.

Don't lower your rates, raise them, till you are just slightly (SLIGHTLY) over the average for your area. Then provide superb service, use every possible opportunity to learn more about your trade, and follow through on every problem you encounter, whether or not you will get properly paid for it. Don't chintz out with the time spent per job -- give it the time it needs. Even though I'm pushing 40 years in this business, I still like to do a little bit more and better than my customer expects.

Get to know piano teachers and public school music teachers. Get to know the teacher organizations, like the MTNA and the California group. You might offer to give them a program on how to maintain their pianos, or on Piano Anatomy 101. When I was in Stockton (we all make mistakes ...) they even asked me to be a board member of the teachers group, because no one else wanted to do it. So I said yes. It's up to you whether or not you want to give them a discount, but there are two things about discounts which you should recognize:

1. Once you give a discount, you can't stop giving it.

2. Very low rates attract the wrong sort of customers.

If you can find some concert work, even very modest concerts, go to the concert and check the tuning at intermission (yes, in front of everybody). The whole concert audience, who automatically are more interested than average in music, will know you by sight. Have a lot of cards with you, and your date book. Plus you get in for free. Oh, and the piano has to sound glorious. Work hard on tuning stability and learn to tidy up voicing with the chopstick needle, as a routine.

P.S. One thing I did, though it was not totally sincere: when I had far too little work and was just beginning, and someone wanted to schedule a tuning, I said I was booked out a week or two. In particular, a store selling not very good pianos wanted me to do floor tunings at a deep discount. The sales person suggested that I might need to get more work -- "Oh, no," I said, "I'm very busy!" And I wouldn't do the floor tunings super cheap. They quickly learned that when their other (cheapo) tuners messed up they could send me, full price, and I'd get it all to come right. I also didn't need to tune a whole raft of poorly built Daewoo grands and Kimball spinets and consoles, for pennies. It was hard enough fixing some of the weird things which were wrong with them, but at least I learned from figuring out their problems, and I was decently if not gloriously paid.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's. 

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage. 

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message------

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage. 

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Like Wim says, people who price-shop will get the cheapest tech there is. When someone calls me and starts out by asking what I charge, I don't give them a number, but respond by telling them that, "If you area looking for the cheapest tuner, that is definitely not me." That statement usually puts them in the position of (re?) examining what they are actually looking for. At that point, the conversation is brought to a fork in the road. They either hang up or ask why I charge more. If they don't hang up, the call ends up with them scheduling an appointment, at least 90% of the time. If they do hang up, it's only a thirty-second investment on my part, and I don't want them as clients anyway. 

Really.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:46
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin.  

You asked about raising your rates.  Raising your tuning fee will NOT reduce your income. Customers who like you will pay what you ask. Customers who price shop will get the cheapest toner there is. They will also have the cheapest pianos that need more work, for which they don't want to pay.  

Raise your fee $10 or $15 once a year or so, and don't look back.  You'll make more money and eliminate the "rif raf". 

Wim 

Sent from my iPhone

Original Message------

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

I agree with not putting your name on your business. If I knew more then I'd name my business Driftless Piano Service instead of La Crosse Piano. Driftless is a geographical name as well as I like my unisons.  Think down the road to retirement, you can't really sell a business woth your name in it but you could sell Cabrillo Piano Service. Or El Camino Real Piano.

------------------------------
Larry Messerly, RPT
Bringing Harmony to Homes
www.lacrossepianotuning.com
ljmesserly@gmail.com
928-899-7292
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 16:07
From: Alan Eder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Like Wim says, people who price-shop will get the cheapest tech there is. When someone calls me and starts out by asking what I charge, I don't give them a number, but respond by telling them that, "If you area looking for the cheapest tuner, that is definitely not me." That statement usually puts them in the position of (re?) examining what they are actually looking for. At that point, the conversation is brought to a fork in the road. They either hang up or ask why I charge more. If they don't hang up, the call ends up with them scheduling an appointment, at least 90% of the time. If they do hang up, it's only a thirty-second investment on my part, and I don't want them as clients anyway.

Really.

Alan

------------------------------
Alan Eder, RPT
Herb Alpert School of Music
California Institute of the Arts
Valencia, CA
661.904.6483

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:46
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin.  

You asked about raising your rates.  Raising your tuning fee will NOT reduce your income. Customers who like you will pay what you ask. Customers who price shop will get the cheapest toner there is. They will also have the cheapest pianos that need more work, for which they don't want to pay.  

Raise your fee $10 or $15 once a year or so, and don't look back.  You'll make more money and eliminate the "rif raf". 

Wim 

Sent from my iPhone

Original Message------

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin,

On my cell phone no questions or answers appear when I go to your FAQ section. It's just a blank. Maybe on a computer it would work better. But, it SHOULD work on a cell phone. 

Many people make their decisions after looking things up on their cell phone. 

How soon before you can qualify for RPT? It sounds to me like that would be one of your main trump cards. Get that done asap. 

Also, I ASSUME you service all of your students pianos, right?  I would think that would be a perfect word of mouth advertising for you. And they gradually need to be improved...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Hi Peter,

I just checked on my phone, and it's working. I don't quite know how to fix it for your phone. First, what type of phone are you on? And, how long did you give it to load? On my phone it takes about three seconds longer to load than the page. I'm working on that too. 

Servicing my students pianos ... yes and no. Some I do. Most keep telling me they'll let me know when they have the finances for it, even though the kids keep asking for it NOW! What can you do?...

Then, two have keyboards (YUCK!) Cheap keyboards too, not the nice ones with an action. But the parents are convinced keyboards are way better than a real piano, even though they don't play the piano, nor know what the difference is. (Sigh) Anyone have any ideas on how to tell them the kid needs a real piano? I've tried to show them and tell them in non technical terms, but they still glaze over and insist that I'm misinformed. Yea, I'm just a dumb piano tuner who knows absolutely nothing about the very instruments I'm paid to service. Im thinking to tell then they need an acoustic or I can't teach them farther. 

I welcome any suggestions on this situation. Peter, keep me informed with your phone situation, and I'll try and fix what I can. 

Thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 19:11
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin,

On my cell phone no questions or answers appear when I go to your FAQ section. It's just a blank. Maybe on a computer it would work better. But, it SHOULD work on a cell phone.

Many people make their decisions after looking things up on their cell phone.

How soon before you can qualify for RPT? It sounds to me like that would be one of your main trump cards. Get that done asap.

Also, I ASSUME you service all of your students pianos, right?  I would think that would be a perfect word of mouth advertising for you. And they gradually need to be improved...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin,

I just tried it on my computer and it still does not come up. So, if its happening to me (both cell and computer) it could easily be happening to others.  Has  anyone else tried?  If so, give feedback.  A malfunctioning website will turn off a prospective client really quickly.  They make assumptions about you from this experience...unfortunate, but true.   Also, check over your spelling..."Improtant Information"...OOPS!  There may be others too. Check carefully. This is important to your credibility.

Read over everything in your website from the standpoint of a newcomer and ask yourself: "How do I feel about this?"  Read it out loud and put yourself in their shoes. Do it repeatedly. Make any changes that you detect would make you feel better about making this choice. 

Finally, how close are you to becoming an RPT? Weeks, months, years?  


Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 21:22
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hi Peter,

I just checked on my phone, and it's working. I don't quite know how to fix it for your phone. First, what type of phone are you on? And, how long did you give it to load? On my phone it takes about three seconds longer to load than the page. I'm working on that too.

Servicing my students pianos ... yes and no. Some I do. Most keep telling me they'll let me know when they have the finances for it, even though the kids keep asking for it NOW! What can you do?...

Then, two have keyboards (YUCK!) Cheap keyboards too, not the nice ones with an action. But the parents are convinced keyboards are way better than a real piano, even though they don't play the piano, nor know what the difference is. (Sigh) Anyone have any ideas on how to tell them the kid needs a real piano? I've tried to show them and tell them in non technical terms, but they still glaze over and insist that I'm misinformed. Yea, I'm just a dumb piano tuner who knows absolutely nothing about the very instruments I'm paid to service. Im thinking to tell then they need an acoustic or I can't teach them farther.

I welcome any suggestions on this situation. Peter, keep me informed with your phone situation, and I'll try and fix what I can.

Thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 19:11
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin,

On my cell phone no questions or answers appear when I go to your FAQ section. It's just a blank. Maybe on a computer it would work better. But, it SHOULD work on a cell phone.

Many people make their decisions after looking things up on their cell phone.

How soon before you can qualify for RPT? It sounds to me like that would be one of your main trump cards. Get that done asap.

Also, I ASSUME you service all of your students pianos, right?  I would think that would be a perfect word of mouth advertising for you. And they gradually need to be improved...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Hello Peter,

Thanks for pointing out my "improtant" mistake! 😉 It's fixed now, but there may be more that I missed. I hope not, but if anyone sees one let me know.

I have visited my site from my phone, iPad, and laptop, and the FAQs page works just fine. I'm afraid I have no idea what's going on, and I think it must be on your end. Do you have any security apps on your devices? We've had several in the past, and they all experience similar issues. Let all the garbage through but block the FAQs page. 😩 the only way to let the page load all the way is to enable the website as "trusted", or a similar term, depending on which program it is.

As far as moving toward RPT, the next available time to take the exams is in January. I have scheduled the tuning exam for then, but have decided to do the technical at a later time, probably one to two months later. As I said on PTG-L, the biggest problem with the exams is their availability. I have no doubt that someone is working on it. However, I do not wish to start that conversation again. Just trying to answer your question.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 08:53
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin,

I just tried it on my computer and it still does not come up. So, if its happening to me (both cell and computer) it could easily be happening to others.  Has  anyone else tried?  If so, give feedback.  A malfunctioning website will turn off a prospective client really quickly.  They make assumptions about you from this experience...unfortunate, but true.   Also, check over your spelling..."Improtant Information"...OOPS!  There may be others too. Check carefully. This is important to your credibility.

Read over everything in your website from the standpoint of a newcomer and ask yourself: "How do I feel about this?"  Read it out loud and put yourself in their shoes. Do it repeatedly. Make any changes that you detect would make you feel better about making this choice.

Finally, how close are you to becoming an RPT? Weeks, months, years?


Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 21:22
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hi Peter,

I just checked on my phone, and it's working. I don't quite know how to fix it for your phone. First, what type of phone are you on? And, how long did you give it to load? On my phone it takes about three seconds longer to load than the page. I'm working on that too.

Servicing my students pianos ... yes and no. Some I do. Most keep telling me they'll let me know when they have the finances for it, even though the kids keep asking for it NOW! What can you do?...

Then, two have keyboards (YUCK!) Cheap keyboards too, not the nice ones with an action. But the parents are convinced keyboards are way better than a real piano, even though they don't play the piano, nor know what the difference is. (Sigh) Anyone have any ideas on how to tell them the kid needs a real piano? I've tried to show them and tell them in non technical terms, but they still glaze over and insist that I'm misinformed. Yea, I'm just a dumb piano tuner who knows absolutely nothing about the very instruments I'm paid to service. Im thinking to tell then they need an acoustic or I can't teach them farther.

I welcome any suggestions on this situation. Peter, keep me informed with your phone situation, and I'll try and fix what I can.

Thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 19:11
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin,

On my cell phone no questions or answers appear when I go to your FAQ section. It's just a blank. Maybe on a computer it would work better. But, it SHOULD work on a cell phone.

Many people make their decisions after looking things up on their cell phone.

How soon before you can qualify for RPT? It sounds to me like that would be one of your main trump cards. Get that done asap.

Also, I ASSUME you service all of your students pianos, right?  I would think that would be a perfect word of mouth advertising for you. And they gradually need to be improved...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Yes, that may be the issue. I have several things to try to block stuff that I don't want to deal with. May be a cookie thing too. At any rate as long as it works in your area, that's what counts.

Hopefully you will soon be a RPT and will be able to represent yourself that way. That will be an advantage. 

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-13-2017 18:18
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello Peter,

Thanks for pointing out my "improtant" mistake! 😉 It's fixed now, but there may be more that I missed. I hope not, but if anyone sees one let me know.

I have visited my site from my phone, iPad, and laptop, and the FAQs page works just fine. I'm afraid I have no idea what's going on, and I think it must be on your end. Do you have any security apps on your devices? We've had several in the past, and they all experience similar issues. Let all the garbage through but block the FAQs page. 😩 the only way to let the page load all the way is to enable the website as "trusted", or a similar term, depending on which program it is.

As far as moving toward RPT, the next available time to take the exams is in January. I have scheduled the tuning exam for then, but have decided to do the technical at a later time, probably one to two months later. As I said on PTG-L, the biggest problem with the exams is their availability. I have no doubt that someone is working on it. However, I do not wish to start that conversation again. Just trying to answer your question.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 08:53
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin,

I just tried it on my computer and it still does not come up. So, if its happening to me (both cell and computer) it could easily be happening to others.  Has  anyone else tried?  If so, give feedback.  A malfunctioning website will turn off a prospective client really quickly.  They make assumptions about you from this experience...unfortunate, but true.   Also, check over your spelling..."Improtant Information"...OOPS!  There may be others too. Check carefully. This is important to your credibility.

Read over everything in your website from the standpoint of a newcomer and ask yourself: "How do I feel about this?"  Read it out loud and put yourself in their shoes. Do it repeatedly. Make any changes that you detect would make you feel better about making this choice.

Finally, how close are you to becoming an RPT? Weeks, months, years?


Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 21:22
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hi Peter,

I just checked on my phone, and it's working. I don't quite know how to fix it for your phone. First, what type of phone are you on? And, how long did you give it to load? On my phone it takes about three seconds longer to load than the page. I'm working on that too.

Servicing my students pianos ... yes and no. Some I do. Most keep telling me they'll let me know when they have the finances for it, even though the kids keep asking for it NOW! What can you do?...

Then, two have keyboards (YUCK!) Cheap keyboards too, not the nice ones with an action. But the parents are convinced keyboards are way better than a real piano, even though they don't play the piano, nor know what the difference is. (Sigh) Anyone have any ideas on how to tell them the kid needs a real piano? I've tried to show them and tell them in non technical terms, but they still glaze over and insist that I'm misinformed. Yea, I'm just a dumb piano tuner who knows absolutely nothing about the very instruments I'm paid to service. Im thinking to tell then they need an acoustic or I can't teach them farther.

I welcome any suggestions on this situation. Peter, keep me informed with your phone situation, and I'll try and fix what I can.

Thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 19:11
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin,

On my cell phone no questions or answers appear when I go to your FAQ section. It's just a blank. Maybe on a computer it would work better. But, it SHOULD work on a cell phone.

Many people make their decisions after looking things up on their cell phone.

How soon before you can qualify for RPT? It sounds to me like that would be one of your main trump cards. Get that done asap.

Also, I ASSUME you service all of your students pianos, right?  I would think that would be a perfect word of mouth advertising for you. And they gradually need to be improved...

Pwg

------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin. Several comments to your reply. 

You asked for our help, but when we gave you suggestions, you seem to think you know better. Two cases. 

Several of us recommended contacting churches and schools. But you downplayed that option. You're correct that a lot of churches have a tuner, but as I said before, there are many that don't have a regular tuner. Not only that, but choir directors, pastors, and even church secretaries change.  A post card at just the right time might be just what they are looking for. No, not all of them will call you right away, but even if just 2 of them called next week, you just doubled your business. 

The same for piano teachers. Don't assume all of them have a regular tuner, or only get their piano tuned once every 3 years. Yes, most of them do, but there are new teaching moving in all the time, or some of the older, (more established), teachers might have a falling out with their tuner, or might try you, just to find out how good you are. Again, if only one or two of them called, it's better than nothing. 

Regarding what you charge for teaching lessons. If you're only charging $20 for an hour lesson, that's the same as only charging $50 for a tuning.  Maybe you're just kidding, but you should be charging at least $20, if not $25, for a half hour lesson. If you can charge $25 for a half hour lesson, you would be on par with your tuning charge. If you take an hour to tune a piano, half an hour to get there, and drive back, and charge $100, you're making the same as teaching 4 students at $25. If fact, you're coming out ahead because you can stay at home, and not drive and spending gas.

Look at every possible chance to get your name out there. Never turn down an opportunity to add a client. As someone else said, put a sign on your car. When you meet people in the store and they ask what you do, hand them a business card.  

You're business will build, but it's going to take time. A few here, a few there, but it will happen.  Good luck.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Wim, 

Thanks for pointing this out. It was not my intent to slight your advise. In the two cases you pointed out:

Churches: I have visited all the local churches about once a month for the past year or so, and none of them seem interested. I apologize if I seemed to downplay that option; but I've tried, and none of them are interested at this point. Maybe in the future.

Teachers: You're right, I shouldn't give up on them so easily. One difficulty I've had is finding the teachers. Most of them don't advertise, because they are full and can't take on more students. A few have tried me, and two have used my service more than once, and refer me out, for which I'm very grateful. But you're right, I should try to reach out again.

Charging for lessons: No, I wasn't kidding. I had started charging $10 a half hour lesson three years ago, and haven't raised my price since. I was actually thinking about this at the beginning of the month, and had already decided to raise it to $20 soon. Forgive my post if it sounded frustrated and like I'd like to be done with teaching. Half the time my students don't practice, and the parents won't make them. Or the parents run the kids ragged with tons of extra activities, and the piano takes the back burner. I guess I'd feel better after two things happen: I get compensated more, and they start practicing.

Again, I apologize if it seemed like I slighted your advise. That was not my intent. I really do appreciate your advice- all of you, all the public advise and private emails I've gotten. I just have to sort through it all and try to implement what I can.

Thanks again,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 00:20
From: Willem Blees
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin. Several comments to your reply.

You asked for our help, but when we gave you suggestions, you seem to think you know better. Two cases.

Several of us recommended contacting churches and schools. But you downplayed that option. You're correct that a lot of churches have a tuner, but as I said before, there are many that don't have a regular tuner. Not only that, but choir directors, pastors, and even church secretaries change.  A post card at just the right time might be just what they are looking for. No, not all of them will call you right away, but even if just 2 of them called next week, you just doubled your business.

The same for piano teachers. Don't assume all of them have a regular tuner, or only get their piano tuned once every 3 years. Yes, most of them do, but there are new teaching moving in all the time, or some of the older, (more established), teachers might have a falling out with their tuner, or might try you, just to find out how good you are. Again, if only one or two of them called, it's better than nothing.

Regarding what you charge for teaching lessons. If you're only charging $20 for an hour lesson, that's the same as only charging $50 for a tuning.  Maybe you're just kidding, but you should be charging at least $20, if not $25, for a half hour lesson. If you can charge $25 for a half hour lesson, you would be on par with your tuning charge. If you take an hour to tune a piano, half an hour to get there, and drive back, and charge $100, you're making the same as teaching 4 students at $25. If fact, you're coming out ahead because you can stay at home, and not drive and spending gas.

Look at every possible chance to get your name out there. Never turn down an opportunity to add a client. As someone else said, put a sign on your car. When you meet people in the store and they ask what you do, hand them a business card.

You're business will build, but it's going to take time. A few here, a few there, but it will happen.  Good luck.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Didi I read that right? You only charge $20/hour for teaching? Most teachers charge $60/hour where I live. Perhaps a bump there, too? Might motivate those students to come prepared (or their parents to make them practice?) :)

------------------------------
Andrea Routley
Roberts Creek BC
604-741-3390
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Agreed. I know I need to. Just working up the courage to do so. Funny, I never really had a problem with raising my tuning fee. My lesson fee though is a different story. It just seems more personalized. Thanks for the prick in the right direction,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 02:22
From: Andrea Routley
Subject: Growing Your Business

Didi I read that right? You only charge $20/hour for teaching? Most teachers charge $60/hour where I live. Perhaps a bump there, too? Might motivate those students to come prepared (or their parents to make them practice?) :)

------------------------------
Andrea Routley
Roberts Creek BC
604-741-3390

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Benjamin

How are you getting your students?  When we first moved to our house 9 years ago, when the recession was in full stride, we put signs by the side of the road to get business. Both for tuning and piano lessons. Jan, my wife, got new students, but most of them were not willing to commit to more than one or two lessons. Some actually showed up with a crumpled $20 for one lessons, thinking that's all there was to it. 

Is $10 per half hour the "going" rate for lessons?  With that low fee, are you getting the better students, or mostly, as you described, the ones who want to give piano lessons a try for a while. One way to get more of a commitment from your students/parents is to offer long term commitments. Jan charges $30 per half hour lesson, but she only accepts students who pay one month at a time. Then she offers a "discount" for even longer commitments. She charges $300 for 10 lessons, but the students get 2 extra lessons if they don't have any absences. 

Just as we suggested to raise your tuning fee to get more and better clientele, perhaps you need to raise your lessons fee to get more and better students. 

Just an idea, Benjamin, to try to get you some more money.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 02:37
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Agreed. I know I need to. Just working up the courage to do so. Funny, I never really had a problem with raising my tuning fee. My lesson fee though is a different story. It just seems more personalized. Thanks for the prick in the right direction,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 02:22
From: Andrea Routley
Subject: Growing Your Business

Didi I read that right? You only charge $20/hour for teaching? Most teachers charge $60/hour where I live. Perhaps a bump there, too? Might motivate those students to come prepared (or their parents to make them practice?) :)

------------------------------
Andrea Routley
Roberts Creek BC
604-741-3390

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 15:27
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

Thanks for all the suggestions! They are much appreciated. I'll try and reply to each topic that was suggested:

Churches: Most of the churches around here have a regular tuner that they are emotionally attached to. I've ony picked up two: my own and another that just got a piano. Before they had used a keyboard. A Yamaha C5, less than two decade old, was given to them. What an upgrade!

Flipping pianos: not really an option. I don't have much more than a walkway in my work space, due to two pianos that I'm not selling at this point, my tools, a fridge, a  foosball table... yea, I work out of my  garage.

Income: I teach piano as my main source of income. Not that I don't enjoy that, but I enjoy tuning much more than teaching, especially those weeks when it seems like only one of them practiced. While that brings in enough income to pay the bills, I'd much rather move over to tuning full time. After all, $100+ an hour is better than $20 an hour by a long shot.

Photo of self: it's on the to do list, probably today if I have time for it. And the suggestion to have people in the picture: I'll have to try that.

2016: thanks for pointing this out. I hadn't even thought about it. And I was already thinking about removing the "industry services" for my website for clients. Thanks for the reminder.

Business cards: between those and post cards and flyers, I probably have gotten out over a thousand. Probably closer to 2000.

Music teachers: I've tried, but most of them either have a tuner or don't believe it's worht the expense to have it tuned more than once every three years or so.

Website suggestions: I've received a lot, and many thanks to those that made them. I have to sort through and see which I want to implement, but I'll be sure to read them several times.

Business name: The result of three months of debate. The committee included myself, my parents, mentors, etc. It does stand out in my local market. Every other piano business for literally a hundred miles around is named "(surname's) Piano Service." Even if I wanted to use Sanchez Piano Service, I wouldn't, not in this area. About half the population in my city, Lompoc, is Mexican. I'm not sure I'd say discrimination is high, but distrust certainly is, and for good reason. People mistake my name for Mexican all the time. It's not Mexican; my roots go back to Spain. If it were Mexican it would be spelled Sanches. Sanchez is the Spain version. Please do not insult me by getting my ancestral ethnicity mixed up. I'm mostly caucasian anyway, but am 100% American. Ok, end of rant. (Sorry, it happens about once a week.)

Another reason for the name is the rather unethical competition. There's only one other guild member in my area, and he's good. The others though... Let's just say I wouldn't trust them to service my piano (for example, not tuning octave 7, flagpoling, etc.). I wanted to provide clients a professional experience, one they'd remember in a good light. So far I have a high retention rate, and I have customers say things to me like, "You definitely named your business well!" And "I'm just so thankful we finally have a professional to choose from." (At this point I stop and think about the other guild guy, but hey, why recommend him when they're happy with me? But seriously, he's a great tuner, and if I had to recommend someone, it'd be him.)

Raising rates: for those of you expensive folks, did raising your rates harm your business? Or did it cause it to grow?

Concert work: not available in my area, or if it is they already have a tuner. But,I keep putting my name out there. Who knows? Maybe I'll get a call one of these days.

Dealer work: nearest dealer is two hours away, one way. Nope, out of the question. I'm in with a guitar store, and they love me and refer me out constantly. There's a piano store about 45 minutes away, but they have told me that unless I do it for free, they won't recommend me. Then they said they probably won't recommend me anyway, because they've used their one "tooner" for so long that they'd keep referring him anyway. Nope, not happening.

Scheduling clients: at this point I'm not sure it would be worth it buy one of those online schedulers. I looked into it, but am not sure it's for me at this point. When clients call I normally ask what day of the week works best for them, then fit them in on my next available appointment on that day - at least a week out, even if I have free time before. Works well so far.

Tim Barnes articles: I've follwed along with great interest, and will continue to do so. I guess I'm just impatient and want my business to grow faster than the ten year expectation someone told me.

Upgrading skills: that's pretty much what I do with my free time, when I'm not teaching, responding to an email, or posting here, I'm reading the Journal, past and present. And practicing, and working on my pianos, etc. Oh, and playing the piano. Very useful skill, especially the more difficult music. Thanks for the reminder, Ed, as I will try to give myself a little more intense goals.

String repair: on schedule for early next week. Will keep you posted.

Dressing and acting professionally: very important. I currently have logo, button up shirts, slacks, a nice case, clean car, charming manerisms, knowledgeable talks with customers, and humility in my dealings with customers. (Sorry if that last point didn't come through here...) Believe me, I try to be a professional in the fullest sense of the word. People expect no less of me, with the name and all. I don't know about you, but in my book it's much more important to be a professional then just another maintenance man. That's one of my big goals at this point.

FAQs: Peter, what exactly are you thinking of? Did you click on each of the questions? That's the only way the answers show up with this program. But, if you had any suggestions as to what type of questions and answers, I'm all ears!

Thanks again everyone. I look forward to any more suggestions you all have.

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 12:12
From: Peter Grey
Subject: Growing Your Business

Yes, dressing and acting professionally is all part of the credential picture people react to...usually positively.

Also, start filling out your FAQ section with informative answers to people's questions (I didn't see anything there when I looked). The more accurate information you can impart the more people will tend to respect you and refer you.  Even though the info is out there you want people to read it on YOUR site, not someone else's.

Pwg


------------------------------
Peter Grey
Stratham NH
603-686-2395
pianodoctor57@gmail.com

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Some very good suggestions, Ed.

Wear a tie, go to things, keep learning. First learn, and only much later worry about how much you made per hour during your learning.

I find Stringer II is invaluable in those character-building moments, such as replacing a long spinet string. Even so, if the bridge is directly behind the action, getting the action out of the way can prevent painful contortions trying to route the wire through the bridge pins. Though removing and replacing a spinet action can have its own character-building moments.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Wear a tie???

Never have, never will. Half the reason I got into this was so I didn't have to wear a damn tie.

Just do good work, be nice, be informative. Work will come. Takes time.


------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 17:51
From: Susan Kline
Subject: Growing Your Business

Some very good suggestions, Ed.

Wear a tie, go to things, keep learning. First learn, and only much later worry about how much you made per hour during your learning.

I find Stringer II is invaluable in those character-building moments, such as replacing a long spinet string. Even so, if the bridge is directly behind the action, getting the action out of the way can prevent painful contortions trying to route the wire through the bridge pins. Though removing and replacing a spinet action can have its own character-building moments.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Me either!

When I was younger in the business, I maybe wore a tie once or twice. It just gets in the way of work.

I've gotten to the point that I either wear nice jeans or khaki jeans. My opinion is I'm not gonna ruin a a nice pair of thin/dressy pants by crawling around on the floor under a grand to fix a pedal, or by resting a dirty grand action on them. I do use a small towel on top of my pants, but still, piano service can be dirty work sometimes.

My attire is pants like above and either a polo short-sleeved shirt or a long-sleeved button up in the cold months. And I've thought about doing what Ed Foote does and just getting some coveralls custom-printed with my name on them. Sounds comfortable!

------------------------------
John Formsma, RPT
New Albany MS
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 00:42
From: David Love
Subject: Growing Your Business

Wear a tie???

Never have, never will. Half the reason I got into this was so I didn't have to wear a damn tie.

Just do good work, be nice, be informative. Work will come. Takes time.


------------------------------
David Love RPT
www.davidlovepianos.com
davidlovepianos@comcast.net
415 407 8320

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 17:51
From: Susan Kline
Subject: Growing Your Business

Some very good suggestions, Ed.

Wear a tie, go to things, keep learning. First learn, and only much later worry about how much you made per hour during your learning.

I find Stringer II is invaluable in those character-building moments, such as replacing a long spinet string. Even so, if the bridge is directly behind the action, getting the action out of the way can prevent painful contortions trying to route the wire through the bridge pins. Though removing and replacing a spinet action can have its own character-building moments.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 09:24
From: Ed Sutton
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamin-
Growing yourself and growing your business are two sides of one thing.
The more you develop your personal understanding and skills, the better your product becomes.
So, since your web site says you work forty hours a week, I suggest you work forty hours a week.
Whatever time you aren't tuning, explore and learn all over the field.
Business practice is one thing, but having top skills enables you to sell a quality, fair priced product.
Most people will never fully rebuild a vertical piano for a paying customer, but doing so: restringing with attention to the scale, full keywork, full action refurbish or rebuild, regulating and voicing, perhaps refinishing...this will get you through the technical exam in a flash. and will give you knowledge and experience you will use regularly in the field.
(How did you do on that spinet that needed a string repair? I would have pulled the action and put the piano on a tilter. Getting the string in place in such tight quarters is problem enough for a tall, creeky jointed old geezer like me. It's one of the hardest repairs we'll ever do, a real character builder.)
But meanwhile, forty hours a week: You can read Journal articles, work through the PACE lessons and exam source books (Keep a notebook.)
Read Anne Acker's articles on the common piano actions of the 19th century, so that you give the customer a pleased look of recognition when you meet their Broadwood grand. Invent your own life curriculum.
Go to NAMM, your PTG membership gets you in free this year.
Go to piano teachers' events, hear kids recitals and meet the teachers. Wear a tie, or better, a self-tied bow tie.
Your business may grow gradually, or you may get a sudden break. The more active you are, the sooner it will happen.
And this is very important: the HAPPIER you are, sooner and better things will welcome you with open arms.
Pianos are wonderful, so enjoy them 40 hours a week however you can, and they will be your life's work.
The way will open.

------------------------------
Ed Sutton
ed440@me.com
(980) 254-7413

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 08:48
From: Karl Roeder
Subject: Growing Your Business

Mr.Sanchez,

First read everything that Timothy Barnes has written for the Journal. Start with April 2013 and go from there. Second refer back to David Love's response in October of this year to your Best Way To Advertise thread. It's pretty simple. It's just not easy.

------------------------------
Karl Roeder
Pompano Beach FL

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Original Message------

Some very good suggestions, Ed.

Wear a tie, go to things, keep learning. First learn, and only much later worry about how much you made per hour during your learning.

I find Stringer II is invaluable in those character-building moments, such as replacing a long spinet string. Even so, if the bridge is directly behind the action, getting the action out of the way can prevent painful contortions trying to route the wire through the bridge pins. Though removing and replacing a spinet action can have its own character-building moments.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message------

"Character-building moments" – I love it.  Having the determination

to persevere will surely leave you satisfied at the end of a tough day.

Sometimes, knowing when to walk away will as well.  Both sides of

the equation are learned, probably the hard way (at least for me).

Ruth Zeiner

A stubborn streak is definitely an asset in piano work.

Walking away from some projects was hard for me to learn, but I got there in the end.

------------------------------
Susan Kline
Philomath, Oregon
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 10:31
From: Ruth Zeiner
Subject: Growing Your Business

An edit is in order.

Perseverance didn't have to be learned by me, as I have a stubborn,

I-won't-quit-until-it-works streak that has served me well in things

like that tenor string in a spinet.

The part I had to learned was when to realize that it would be best for

everyone not to undertake some projects.

Ruth

Original Message------

"Character-building moments" – I love it.  Having the determination

to persevere will surely leave you satisfied at the end of a tough day.

Sometimes, knowing when to walk away will as well.  Both sides of

the equation are learned, probably the hard way (at least for me).

Ruth Zeiner

Benjamine:  Have you contacted the local churches and piano teachers?  Leave business cards at the piano teachers studio where his/her students and parents will see them and pick one up.  Churches are preparing for their Christmas programs and a good time to make contacts there.

------------------------------
Clarence Zeches
Piano Service Enterprise School of Technology
Toccoa GA
706-886-4035
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Been thinking (a dangerous pastime, I know)😲. You know how with fundraisers people will put out a challenge to other people, maybe coworkers, to give? Well, I'm putting out a challenge, to well established techs, to send some business to the younger techs. I have a young guy in my city who's getting started and I've been sending people his way when there's work I can't get to. Let's help out the next generation!

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 17:10
From: Clarence Zeches
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamine:  Have you contacted the local churches and piano teachers?  Leave business cards at the piano teachers studio where his/her students and parents will see them and pick one up.  Churches are preparing for their Christmas programs and a good time to make contacts there.

------------------------------
Clarence Zeches
Piano Service Enterprise School of Technology
Toccoa GA
706-886-4035

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

YupI I've been doing this awhile, and  now is the perfect time of year to be passing on many of   those  December type tunings,  you can even temporarily for the Thanksgiving to Christmas rush change your voicemail message to say your'e fully booked  but   X and Z are still taking tuning appointments for the Holiday  and party season .

------------------------------
Martin Snow
Boston MA
617-543-1030
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 16:04
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: Growing Your Business

Been thinking (a dangerous pastime, I know)😲. You know how with fundraisers people will put out a challenge to other people, maybe coworkers, to give? Well, I'm putting out a challenge, to well established techs, to send some business to the younger techs. I have a young guy in my city who's getting started and I've been sending people his way when there's work I can't get to. Let's help out the next generation!

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 17:10
From: Clarence Zeches
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamine:  Have you contacted the local churches and piano teachers?  Leave business cards at the piano teachers studio where his/her students and parents will see them and pick one up.  Churches are preparing for their Christmas programs and a good time to make contacts there.

------------------------------
Clarence Zeches
Piano Service Enterprise School of Technology
Toccoa GA
706-886-4035

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

I like that idea!

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 17:52
From: Martin Snow
Subject: Growing Your Business

YupI I've been doing this awhile, and  now is the perfect time of year to be passing on many of   those  December type tunings,  you can even temporarily for the Thanksgiving to Christmas rush change your voicemail message to say your'e fully booked  but   X and Z are still taking tuning appointments for the Holiday  and party season .

------------------------------
Martin Snow
Boston MA
617-543-1030

Original Message:
Sent: 11-11-2017 16:04
From: Scott Kerns
Subject: Growing Your Business

Been thinking (a dangerous pastime, I know)😲. You know how with fundraisers people will put out a challenge to other people, maybe coworkers, to give? Well, I'm putting out a challenge, to well established techs, to send some business to the younger techs. I have a young guy in my city who's getting started and I've been sending people his way when there's work I can't get to. Let's help out the next generation!

------------------------------
"That Tuning Guy"
Scott Kerns
www.thattuningguy.com
Tunic OnlyPure & TuneLab user

Original Message:
Sent: 11-10-2017 17:10
From: Clarence Zeches
Subject: Growing Your Business

Benjamine:  Have you contacted the local churches and piano teachers?  Leave business cards at the piano teachers studio where his/her students and parents will see them and pick one up.  Churches are preparing for their Christmas programs and a good time to make contacts there.

------------------------------
Clarence Zeches
Piano Service Enterprise School of Technology
Toccoa GA
706-886-4035

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

This is what I do. 
Go to the online yellow pages and type in the following searches one at a time
churches    "Your town"
hotels    "Your town"
country clubs    "Your town"
schools    "Your town"
piano teachers    "Your town"
Plays and live theaters   "your town"
Reception halls  "your town"

For each of these search results in the online yellow pages, you will click and drag the entire page to highlight the whole page. Copy and then paste that into a notepad to remove all formatting. Copy the notepad and paste into a spreadsheet. Once you've done this for all pages of all search results, you should have several thousand prospects.  

Next is formatting your spreadsheet. There are many tricks you can search google for that allow you to perform page wide edits in Excel with a single keystroke. things like highlighting and removing duplicates is very useful.

Once your spreadsheet is formatted, you will have in front of you a prospect list containing the names and addresses of thousands of local entities that are likely to have a piano. There are also ways in which you can turn an excel spreadsheet into an auto dailer. Or you can just dail by hand. The point is to call them all and ask if they have a piano. My goal here is not to try to get business. It is only to ascertain if they have a piano on site. If they answer in the affirmative. I say, OK thank you and hang up, because secretaries are Gate Keepers and will do everything in their power to reject what you are offering, no matter what it is. But after I get off the phone I then begin sending them monthly postcards.

------------------------------
Gary Howell
Buckeye Piano Tuning
Massillon OH
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------

Everything that Gary said is good. (I don't understand the technical part of what he's saying but it's basically the same thing I've done in the past but manually. I looked in the Yellow Pages and typed in the name and address of all the churches, schools, hotels, etc. 

But the one thing I would not do is call each one just to find out if they have a piano. I would just send a post card to all of them, regardless. Maybe the church or hotel doesn't have a piano, but the person getting the post card might. 

What you basically need is exposure. The more people know you're a piano tuner, the more will call you. One way to let people know you're a piano tuner is to put that on you car. Not just a magnetic sign on the door, but a big sign on your windows, or even the whole car, as per the June Journal. 

And last, and I realize this isn't going to happen anytime soon, but join a chorus, band or orchestra, and let the members of that group know you're a piano tuner. 

PS. I'm still trying to sell my business. Move to Hawaii and you'll be tuning 15 - 20 pianos a week the day after you arrive.

------------------------------
Willem "Wim" Blees, RPT
Mililani, HI 96789
------------------------------

Original Message:
Sent: 08-12-2020 21:53
From: Gary Howell
Subject: Growing Your Business

This is what I do.
Go to the online yellow pages and type in the following searches one at a time
churches    "Your town"
hotels    "Your town"
country clubs    "Your town"
schools    "Your town"
piano teachers    "Your town"
Plays and live theaters   "your town"
Reception halls  "your town"

For each of these search results in the online yellow pages, you will click and drag the entire page to highlight the whole page. Copy and then paste that into a notepad to remove all formatting. Copy the notepad and paste into a spreadsheet. Once you've done this for all pages of all search results, you should have several thousand prospects.

Next is formatting your spreadsheet. There are many tricks you can search google for that allow you to perform page wide edits in Excel with a single keystroke. things like highlighting and removing duplicates is very useful.

Once your spreadsheet is formatted, you will have in front of you a prospect list containing the names and addresses of thousands of local entities that are likely to have a piano. There are also ways in which you can turn an excel spreadsheet into an auto dailer. Or you can just dail by hand. The point is to call them all and ask if they have a piano. My goal here is not to try to get business. It is only to ascertain if they have a piano on site. If they answer in the affirmative. I say, OK thank you and hang up, because secretaries are Gate Keepers and will do everything in their power to reject what you are offering, no matter what it is. But after I get off the phone I then begin sending them monthly postcards.

------------------------------
Gary Howell
Buckeye Piano Tuning
Massillon OH

Original Message:
Sent: 11-09-2017 17:11
From: Benjamin Sanchez
Subject: Growing Your Business

Hello all,

I know this discussion is coming at the beginning of what is the busiest time of the year for many, but I want to start preparing for the slow season now.

How do you grow your business in the slow times?

While business is picking up for me now, as a somewhat new tech my workload averages about one piano a week. Meaning, two weeks of any given month I have no jobs scheduled, one week I have one, and one week I have three jobs scheduled. Four pianos, four weeks. I suppose I'm not content to wait five to ten years before being "full time", which I take to mean having three or more tunings a day, or constant shop work.

So far what I've read says to do two things, non of which I fancy: expand your market (drive farther), or lower your price. My price is about average for this area, so I don't think it would be a good idea to lower it, and I learned my lesson with coupons, so I won't be trying those again.

So what are your recommendations, for those of you who have walked this path already?

Many thanks,

------------------------------
Benjamin Sanchez
Professional Piano Services
(805)315-8050
www.professional-piano-services.com
BenPianoPro@comcast.net
------------------------------