discussion time for how I have built my stringing business over the years
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- čas přidán 9. 09. 2024
- I am asked all the time for ideas on how to increase stringing business. Thought I would put together a video of things that I do and ideas for you to help you grow your business.
Thx a lot
Herb thank you so much for your input on how to start a business. You've helped a lot by sharing your experience to me. Don't want you to think that you didn't help anybody you help me. And I appreciate it. I've been watching your videos ever since I started getting interested in stringing. So thank you very much
Thank you.
Thanks Herb! I’m stringing rackets for my grandson.
Very helpful information... I've been involved in tennis for a long time as a player, coach, instructor, and now starting to string (for other players) a little bit. If you teach clinics or lessons and are trying to start stringing, that's a good time to mention to the players that you can string rackets. There's no conflict for me with a club or anything because I teach for our local city parks program and the other instructors send their players to the local tennis shop which basically has a monopoly going. So I just say, hey I can also restring rackets and it's easy because we'll be back here next week (many of those players only play 1-2x a week) and for many of them it's like a revelation when they get new strings. It's satisfying as a coach and stringer to see them start hitting and get instant confidence to have a full swing because their strings are controlling the ball now.
Have high respect for you in helping others that don't have some money in that like you're saying show up and khaki pants and flip-flops and they don't have the money do you put decent strings on the rackets so thank you very much for sharing that
I always use either Hyper G or Sensation. Depending on the player.
Thx a lot, you helped me very much to find a decision. All the Best
Patrick
Hi Herb, many thanks for the video.
Your explanation of how you grew is very informative and will go a long way to helping to grow into a beer money business.
Many many thanks again
Great job Herb. Good information for new stringers wanting to do business in the stringing industry.
Thank you sir, and I will try all of your tips 😊
Hi Herb
I'm in the UK and unlike you I string mostly badminton and only occasionally tennis. When I do do tennis I want to be sure to do a great job and I've found your videos really helpful with this.
I found your discussion on building your business very interesting. I have done many similar things myself. I like your unhurried approach. Like you, stringing is not my whole life but I find it therapeutic and I take great pride in doing a good job. The word quickly gets out about a quality Stringer and I don't have to promote my services to get as many rackets as I can manage. It's not hard to get a good reputation but conversely people who do sloppy work on cheap machines quickly get found out. Quality sells.
Great video! Thanks for sharing your experience. Awesome tips! Love the commitment given you have a real job
I really appreciate all of this advice, especially poaching the visiting team for some restringing, I also wanted to ask if you’d charge differently on a lockout machine 6mount vs a dropweight with a two mount, I upgraded to a crank but wanted to know if it was necessary to upgrade to electric tensioner to be taken seriously as a stringer and charge $15
This is just my opinion, but yes you need an electric machine. If you are stringing for any university teams you need to let them know that you are using a lockout machine. They may want to make adjustments based on the type of machine you are using. You do not charge differently based on the machine you use. It is up to you to provide a professional job no matter what machine you use.
@@HerbBaird thank you for the insight, ofc I do take care of the frames I string now but I mean most people assume anything less than a electronic machine won’t be accurate, currently found a wise 2086 on the market but was wondering if it was worth the upgrade or if most recreational players actually didn’t care or mind what machines was used, but also from a financial standpoint, do these machines resale for much after if I do decide to sell?
I would say most rec players have no idea. Most do not know anything about machines. Once you start stringing for higher level players, the machine will be more important
@@HerbBaird what is considered higher level? Do you mean community college players or top UC colleges? I know my local CC has a crank machine for students to use for tournaments and most do use it, personally I have a gamma progression 2 crank but really hate the very fast tension lost created in comparison to even a dropweight machine,
@@joes6712 I would say once you hit D1 players or start stringing any tournaments.
What would you say would be the top 5 strings to carry? It’s hard to choose from all of the string options, and also when you have a range of player levels.
Need to know your area. Around me, the strings I sell the most are Babolat RPM Blast, Solinco Hyper g, wilson Nxt, wilson sensation, and Babolat synthetic gut. I carry all of them in 16g and 17g except the synthetic gut. Know your area and find out what is popular.
Thanks.
What do you charge for labor? how many strings do you carry? What would you say is your monthly/annual gross revenue? Do you work alone or incorporate other stringers? Great video!!! If you ever need strings/supplies just let us know. We can help you with some wholesale products :)
Labor charge for local players that drop off to me $15. I have a club I pick up and drop off at $20. The university I charge $7, I know it's low, but I have a real job and do it more just to be part of the teams. Tournaments and visiting universities $20. I string free for some charities and a wheelchair program. I carry around 20 different strings. Varies by month. Averaged for the 12 months around $1300. December, I will be lucky to make $100. September, I brought in a little over $4500. Summer months are slow, January through April, $1500+ per month. I work alone 90% of the time. If I have a heavy night (15+) I can usually get my wife to string 2 or 3. During tournaments, I will bring someone in for the first few days if I predict heavy volume. Women or men only tournaments I string alone. A combined tournament I will call someone. Appreciate the offer.
@@HerbBaird You really have a terrific business! I hope you enjoy it bc the passion shows!
Hi Herb, thanks for your video. I am wanting to start a stringing side business and this information really helps. Can you share what type of strings you believe should be on hand at all times? Thanks heaps!
I keep RPM Blast in 17 and 16, Wilson sensation 17 amd 16, wilson NXT 17 and 16, Solinco Hyper G 17 and 16. These will cover 80% of your clients. I keep several other but the above are the bulk of my sales
Hi Herb! what's your recommendation on eletric machine to start? budget friendly! thank you
GAMMA progression ELS. It is a solid machine that is not overly expensive
Thanks Herb, appreciate you taking the time to share. In your opinion, is it worth getting the MRT certification? Are clients even aware it exists and value it?
I think it depends on where you are, and where you want to go with your stringing. If you want to try and string at major tournaments then yes. I have never had anyone ask me, and I would guess that 99% of my clients don't even know there are certifications out there. I will never leave my area to string. I have been invited to string some WTA events, but then how would I string for the University or my clients. I ha e had several MRTs contact me over the years asking for advice, troubleshooting problems, asking how to grow their business, etc.if you are content being a local stringer, I say no it is not worth it. If you want to become a head stringer for a retail place or become a tour stringer then yes.
Did you already part ways with the 700-ES? What don’t you like about the Baiardo L that has you considering selling it? Wish I would have known you were considering getting rid of it, I just bought one a couple weeks ago 🙂
@@dukies0799 I have already parted with the 700. I can't really answer about the Baiardo L. Out of the 330 or so racquets it has on it, I have only done maybe 10. I never use it. I figure if someone else wants one, I have one I can sell. If no one buys it, I will put it back at the University courts and string 10 or so racquets a year on it. I have no issues with the machine.
Thanks for the video Herb. Are you dealing with sponsor stencils a lot when stringing racquets for incoming college teams or do the players handle that?
I do not stencil anything. Goes back to when I started and all of the string companies said they would not work with me, but they would send me a stencil for free advertising for them. I see very few college players stencil their racquets. I know some of the teams stringers will stencil for them, but again I do not see it often. If they are a sponsored player they will typically have their own stencil and ink.
Good video, what machines do you recommend that are around 1,000 or 2k?
I always recommend the Gamma Progression ELS. It is a good, reliable machine that can handle hobby stringers up to tournaments.
@@HerbBaird tks, 👍🏼 good videos