Commissioned Sales & Training Opportunities

[CarverJerry]

Making a guitar was my dream when I first got my CW, but after seeing what Brandon does with his guitars, mandolins and all the other things he makes I took one very big step back and said "there ain't no way I have that much talent." Its not all about having a program to carve a body. Even being a machinist for over 30 years I just know my limits, especially with "wood". Just getting my Les Paul set up correctly for my style of playing takes me a while. You have what it takes Brandon, and it's not just a CarveWright.

I just wish there was someone who traveled the country and gave in depth lessons on how to make these carving files, how to manipulate the designer program. Now that would be a good job for a single guy who knows how to do that.... I'd pay for a good class.

CJ

[dbfletcher]

A guitar workshop? honestly I not sure how to arrange that..

If you throw in a free LG guitar with every sign up.. I'm there!!! And I dont even know how to play a guitar *insert smiley here**

On a more serious note.. I bet it would also really increase your sales as well.

[mtylerfl]

A guitar workshop? honestly I not sure how to arrange that..

Hi LG,

Doesn't have to be anything "fancy". Actually, I think if you simply stood before a group and started moving your lips, they would be blown away with "learning what you have learned" in your journey figuring out how to use and make the proper jigs, your indexing techniques, recommended choice of woods and materials, your recommendations of suppliers for guitar parts, and so on.

You could also have a "show-and-tell" where you take them out to your shop and show them your various iterations of jigs and how they are used in the CarveWright (particularly the guitar neck jig - I don't think many people "get it" even though they have seen some pics you've posted). Plus - a show-and-tell featuring some instruments you've already made, your finishing techniques, and...oh my gosh...the list of your personal knowledge is a long one!

An in-person day or two with you would be 'priceless' for wanna-be stringed instrument makers. You can turn the "wanna-be's" into real-live luthiers! Don't be afraid to charge for your time! Anyone in attendance who is not already a CarveWright owner, I think would be strongly compelled to get one for themselves...then, you'll receive all the sales commissions to boot!

[PCW]

I think you folks are onto something here. Workshops on design/maintenance/machine functions and heck Al and others could even do one on repairs.


[insert thumps up here]

[mtylerfl]

I think you folks are onto something here. Workshops on design/maintenance/machine functions and heck Al and others could even do one on repairs.

All kinds of possibilities for gatherings and presentations! Somebody just needs to start doing some!

[mtylerfl]

Hello,

I'm thinking about scheduling a User Group around mid-June of this year. Any feedback on this?

EDIT: Maybe I should be more specific! To cover costs of renting a conference room, hand out materials, etc. most User Group gatherings do charge for attendance...usually between $75 to $100 for a two-day event. Location is still undecided, but I am leaning towards Brunswick, GA...I have not totally eliminated the idea of having it at CarveWright headquarters in Texas, though.

I am also considering what I mentioned before about having a specific/separate training day for those interested in doing their own CarveWright Demos in their area, and receiving commissions from any sales/business generated. Perhaps on a Thursday, with Fri. and Sat. devoted to the "regular" audience of users. Another possibility for the Commission Sales program folks is to schedule their training much earlier than June, so they can get started sooner! That gathering could be a little less "formal" but thorough nonetheless.

Any and all feedback appreciated!

[fwharris]

Michael,

I like the ideas for the conferences and think it would be great to get everyone together. The only hold back would be the travel issues of course.

For the sales rep training would it also be possible to set up some kind of "live on line/video" session? This might be one way to get things out to everyone and help those who can not travel.

[mtylerfl]

Michael,

I like the ideas for the conferences and think it would be great to get everyone together. The only hold back would be the travel issues of course.

For the sales rep training would it also be possible to set up some kind of "live on line/video" session? This might be one way to get things out to everyone and help those who can not travel.

Hi FW,

Yes, it will be great to get together. I know some folks may not be able to travel, whether due to time constraints or budget. That's kind of "just the way it is".

I go to several conferences and User Groups each year...some were within driving distance...some I had to buy plane tickets for. And, of course, there are food and lodging expenses. So it can add up alright. However, I have not been disappointed spending the $$ for any of the conferences/User Groups I've personally attended...all have been well worth the cost for me, at least. The most costly one I've ever attended was two days for $700 NOT counting food and hotel!

Some folks combine business with pleasure at some of the meetings I've attended...making the destination either a stop off point on the way to somewhere else, or if the destination has some fun things to do nearby, it becomes part vacation - part business. Since most of my personal travels are business trips, the costs are a welcome tax deduction, too.

Probably not practical to try to do a "live video" broadcast setup. Most meeting situations really need to be attended in-person. However, some of the User Group presentations could be put on a CD or DVD and offered to folks that were unable to attend. One User Group I went to a couple years ago did just that...if you were in attendance, the cost of the DVD with something like 19 hours of demos was $99...if you did not attend, the cost was $149. (I bought one!)

In the live presentations, it was not time-efficient to show each and every tiny little detail of how to get from point A to point B, but the DVD included the whole enchilada. A lot of work to put together!! Something along those lines might be a possibility in the future, as long as someone actually has the time and skillset to produce such a DVD.

Thank you for the feedback. Good ideas and suggestions to consider!

[TerryT]

I guess I miss understood. Early on in email talks with Joe I was under the impression LHR was looking for trainers and these trainers would possibly charge somewhere around $100 per person. But I get the impression now that the plan was for us to pay $100 each to go to seminars on how to train others?

Micheal, are you the offical trainer for LHR?

[mtylerfl]

I guess I miss understood. Early on in email talks with Joe I was under the impression LHR was looking for trainers and these trainers would possibly charge somewhere around $100 per person. But I get the impression now that the plan was for us to pay $100 each to go to seminars on how to train others?

Micheal, are you the offical trainer for LHR?

Hi Terry,

Sorry, we have two "conversations" going on! I think I hijacked the thread from its original intent. Let me try to re-focus...

No, I am not the official trainer for LHR...just volunteering to help, if I can.

I would like to help train anyone who is interested in becoming an independent rep to demo and sell machines and accessories. A sort of "meeting of the minds" for a relatively small, targeted group. That goal is to boost confidence and offer suggestions on how maximize the greatest return on the time spent, as well as some ideas for organizing demo events.

The "other" conversation is about full-fledged CarveWright User Group events that is open to everyone. (That's where I got off track - probably should have started a separate thread for that!)

I apologize for the confusion - my fault!