[Dixielandjazz] Quoting a price for services over the phone

[Robert Ringwald]

Again I agree with Larry 100%.  Except I follow my blue print which is similar to Steve's but not quite.  Again, I will ask for their budget when I feel the question is appropriate.  

--Bob

----- Original Message ----- 
From: "Larry Walton Entertainment" <larrys.bands at charter.net>
To: "Bob Ringwald" <rsr at ringwald.com>
Cc: "Dixieland Jazz Mailing List" <dixielandjazz at ml.islandnet.com>
Sent: Saturday, January 07, 2012 7:07 AM
Subject: Re: [Dixielandjazz] Quoting a price for services over the phone


> Absolutely.  If you give them a price anywhere near to the beginning of the 
> conversation you have a very good chance of losing it.
> 
> You have to keep control of the conversation.  That doesn't mean you talk 
> all the time.  Ask questions like Steve suggested.
> 
> Follow Steve's blueprint.
> 
> Another killer question is what kind of music do you play?  Again engage 
> them and find out what they want.
> 
> When I first started booking a band frankly, I was terrible at it and lost 
> at least 75% of the calls I got simply because I broke the rules.
> 
> Let me add.  Never quote a price by E-mail.  Get their phone number and call 
> them.  After losing the first three E-mail bids I learned.  That's a 100% 
> loss.    Even when I was a beginner I did better than that.  If you must use 
> e-mail then break it up the same way you direct a conversation but I highly 
> recommend not doing it.
> Larry
> StL