What I’m about to say is blunt but you need to hear it.
I have been where you have been, I couldn’t leave the Reno area for a number of years due to family problems/relationship/other commitments. And when I finally was able and did it was August 2008 and the recession was in full swing. So you can guess what happened. So the next few years I didn’t fly and did Commercial Real Estate. Which taught me to build and evaluate a business.
Something you’re going to find out though is there’s a lot of pilots who are great at flying but whose business sense is a ... joke. Airhoss your included with the above statement. Clients don’t come to you because they hear your awesomeness.
Here’s what we’re working with
1) You need money: Find a Part time job to at least get a revenue stream coming in.
2) You need airplanes: That flight school that said bring your own students and fly our airplanes. Go sign up.
3) You need students: You need to get your act together and figure out a marketing plan/ weekly schedule/etc.
Here’s the initial things we need to succeed.
1) Do you have business cards? If not get them now
2) Develop a sales pitch: Try something like “After your private license where do you see yourself flying” Oh in the bay area, you’re going to need a instrument rating.
3) What’s your marketing plan? Email me [email protected], I have a template you can use
4) What networking events are close to you? Look up breakthrough network, toastmasters, and anyone else who has mixers. Make sure they have disposable income. Go to EVERY one religiously. Dress neatly.
5) Craigslist: Make up a post and continually renew it. Also look up airplanes for sale and anything related to aviation. Call the people and determine their needs. Is it a BFR, Another rating, IPC?
6) Is there a university, coffee shops, hospital? Make up flyers and post them up around your target demographics.
7) Do you have a linked in profile? Get one
8) Do you have a Facebook profile? Get one, Be sure to post student achievements or good flights with pictures.
9) What are the base industry’s in your area? Find out and market to them.
10) Get a website. People check you out on your website before they fly with you. Like googling a date and making sure she doesn’t have an ex-husband and 5 kids.
11) Search you tube on how to get flight students. There’s some really good ones on getting flying students.
12) Read: There's some great books on flight instruction marketing and marketing in general.
13) Start a database and track pilots/people. keep in regular contact.
Most importantly learn how to sell. And I don’t mean the used car salesman crap. Selling involves learning about client needs, wants, handling objections, and ability’s. When you put your clients’ needs first and not your own you gain their loyalty. So start reading. Start with Og Mandino’s the greatest salesman in the world.
Now why should you do any of this? Simple if your 35 or under you’re not going to have the same job stability our parents had. You’re not going to work for 30 years for Delta then retire at 60 and live the good life in your RV. Ours is the first generation that is having a noticeably lower standard of living than any of the previous generations. Which means you’re not going to have job stability, a retirement, or even kids unless you learn business skills and how to make your own money.
Last edited by Cubdriver; 10-20-2012 at 11:59 AM.
Reason: f- word removed