CAN I REALLY LEARN THIS?

Yes.  If you have good hand-eye coordination, this is nothing more than a method.  Like learning to play any musical instrument...you learn certain rules and regulations to follow.  You get your hand muscle memory synced with your head....takes a little time for EVERYONE....and you’re engraving!

 

I HAVE LOUSY HANDWRITING!

Has NO BEARING.  This is a method.  A technique.  It's muscle memory.  It's learning all the pieces of each letter and how to connect the pieces. The script is all ‘built’, NOT written.  It is unending patience and confidence until muscle memory becomes the master of your skill.

 

HOW LONG DOES THAT TAKE?

If you learn the letters we send you before coming to class, you’ll be engraving items the first day.  By the third day all is looking far better than the first.  In a couple of weeks, you’ll probably be dazzling people with your work and earning nice fees at the same time!

 

IS THERE A DEMAND FOR IT?

Yes.  You must merely make it known in your work, family, church, and social circles that you have this new ability and people will want things personalized.  You’ll learn how and where to promote yourself for a minimum of cost.  And it works!  We talk a lot about that in the Workshop.

 

HOW DO I KNOW HOW TO CHARGE?

We talk about that also.  You’ll learn a range of prices that people will generally pay.  You’ll learn also how to promote yourself and your skill.....and even give some of your work away to raise awareness.  What you charge the preacher or that handsome neighbor is a whole different story that you’ll have to figure out yourself!

 

WHAT CAN I EXPECT TO EARN?

You’ll learn that $100. an hour is quite possible and reasonable to expect.  On some small items like a watch, bracelet, or piece of crystal  you could make $40. for a 5 minute job.  Do the math.  That’s at a rate of $480. per hour for your 5 minutes! People EXPECT to pay a handsome fee for personalization and the work that comes to most of us.  It's ALL about putting names and messages on special gifts....you CAN do it with patience and PRACTICE.

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HOW DO I ADVERTISE?

You’ll learn that you need no budget beyond the price of a professional-looking business card.  With that, containing a good photo of something you’ve engraved...and your contact information....you’re ready to become ‘Johnny Appleseed’ and plant them in as many places as possible in your area.  A web page is also a must.  Easy do-it-yourself templates...usually FREE...make web site building quite easy.  THIS site was done that way.  

 

WHEN CAN I BEGIN EARNING?

With a little advance hype for yourself, among those earlier mentioned groups, you hit the ground running when you get back home.  Simple things like wine glasses, brief messages on small glass items, and putting names on SmileStones™ and pocket knives will be something you’ve done in the Workshop. You’ll already feel comfortable doing and being paid for them.

 

HOW MUCH CAN I EARN MONTHLY?

Again, do the math.  It all depends on how much you charge and how much work you can do in a month.  Play with the numbers figuring a bare-bones minimum of $75. to $100. per hour, times how many hours your goal is to work each week or total each month. Remember, lots of little jobs at good fees make the best hourly figures.  I had one wine job that paid $12,000.00 for two weeks work.  I had one 20 second cigarette lighter job that was $17.50.........that's a rate of over $3000. an hour!

 

WHAT IF I BREAK SOMETHING?

If it belongs to a customer and you break it or misspell a word or it falls off your table and hits the floor and doesn’t bounce, it’s your responsibility to replace it.  THEREFORE....it’s good to get as many of the mistakes and pitfalls out of your system in the Workshop before you begin charging.  You WILL have to replace some items occasionally.  That’s why you NEVER engrave an antique you cannot replace.  Also, never take an item to engrave that you couldn’t afford to replace if you botch it.

 

That’s justification for charging fees that may seem high to you....and others.  You are earning enough as you go along to not grumble if you screw up a bowl or vase and have to shell out sixty to a hundred bucks for another one.  That will rarely happen if you keep your head in the game!

 

CAN I DO IN-STORE EVENTS?

Yes, if you advance your skills and have taken the Ken Brown Workshop, there is the KEN BROWN CERTIFIED ENGRAVER program to take your skills to the next step.  Call Ken for a personal conversation about your options tailored for your particular needs. And for his endorsement and referring you for engraving events when your work is up to the standards Ken sets forth for those he has trained...and who have completed his certification.

 

EXPLAIN WHY HAND-ENGRAVING IS BETTER THAN WHAT’S ALREADY OUT THERE IN STORES THAT DO MACHINE ENGRAVING!

Gladly.  Go here.

 

WHERE DO I SIGN UP?  I’M READY TO START EARNING for a very special skill!

 

214.250.6958 to enroll or ask questions any time.

 

Or....you may email your questions and comments.

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