"...refinisher are as varied in their techniques as fingerprints."

by William Daley

Lets hear all the reasons why you have not produced a portfolio.

"I am just too busy", "I keep forgetting to take a picture", When I would like to take a picture, there is just too much mess around", "My pictures never come out right", "If I take the before, I forget the after, and vise-versa", "I'll do it next time", "Can't find my camera". And it goes on and on.

A portfolio will do wonders in defining your business for your potential customers. "A picture is worth a thousand words". You will gain respect. Communications will be effective and the time involved with a price quote will be shortened, which in turn will put money in your pocket by being more efficient and to the point.

Just how easy is this?

Start by purchasing a photo album. Write it on your to-do list. "Spiral hard cover notebook, plastic inserts, decorative paper to paste photos and printed material on". Less than a $10 investment.

Write a letter to your customers, introducing your business, employees, and yourself. Tell them your goals, what your philosophy (mission statement) is. Include the length of time in business, your personal training, interesting pieces you have worked on, and other customers comments. Sell them on the fact that they have selected you, the best qualified restorer in the area. You know all the words, quality, dependability, customer satisfaction(guarantees). Be brief, but lay it on. Let them know what they can expect when they leave a piece with your company. Place this letter in the front of the album.

When developing you mission statement, keep in mind that refinishers are as varied in their techniques as fingerprints. Some emphasize hand finishes, others may perform French polishing methods only, another uses oil finishes for softness, some use spray lacquers with aniline stains for clarity, others only use polyurethanes for durability. Still others may take special pride in restoration without refinishing(cosmetic restoration). By letting the customer know this up front, you will prevent problems at the end. Maybe you do them all! Then this will give you a chance to educate the customer while attending to their preference of finish.

Make it a policy to take a picture of every piece as soon as the customer OK's the estimate. Especially in the beginning, don't pick and choose which pieces you will want in your portfolio. This is a much easier decision after the piece is completed. Many times you will be especially proud of the way a piece turns out, and wish you had taken a before picture.

Suggestions:

Obtain a camera just for taking shop pictures.

Purchase a background. You know, the self-standing cardboard that schools use for their science projects. Get two, stack them for tall items.

Go to a fabric store and purchase a large piece (approximately eight feet of crushed soft material, the kind that will not need ironing). Look for a neutral color. Keep it in a medium shade(soft gray, green, or brown). Stay away from black, white, bright colors and designs or prints. A plain neutral background will enhance your object.

Just place the cardboard background, covered with the desired material, anywhere, snap your picture. No need to clean. Instantly, you have a professional picture. Include as many pictures as you can, displaying all the skills you possess. It will only take a potential customer a few minutes to flip through the pages, and look at the ones that interest them. They will picture in their mind what their piece will look like.

When you have completed your portfolio, display it on a table or stand in your waiting room, with a sign inviting people to use it.

You will quickly see how the customer, 1. Respects your business, 2. Is impressed by your professionalism, 3. Is confidant in your skills, after viewing your portfolio.

Now do it.