My YP phonebook rep got me again!

[thefed]

Around here, there are 2 yellow pages...SBC/ATT and User Friendly, with the latter being distributed to 50% less homes


So, I tried the YP User Friendly last year...it took me 2 meetings and a lot of "Well, I'm not so sure"'s to get a 1" in-column ad under 2 headings, plus a one-liner for another business I own, for $450.

I got about $1k in business which really was only 3 jobs...maybe 5 calls all year...it was pathetic. BUT, after blowing them off again and again, I let me new rep come out today. I was set on a simple 1-liner for $10/month

Well, he got me. I know when he's using those sales tactics, and I even point them out to him, but he played off of that well. In the end, I got a 2" in-column ad in the same 2 sections plus a 2" in column ad for my wife's new bounce house company, both with logos this time, for the same 450.

We'll see if it pays off....

[thefed]

On this note, how do you feel about the YP ads that have a quote from an owner or manager...sometimes even a mugshot? I'm not willing to put my face in there, but am considering scrapping the typical "CALL NOW FOR A FREE QUOTE!" lingo as well as all the bullet points for a simple ad with lots of white space , a discount for mentioning the ad, and a simple quote something like this:

"I guarantee you an ALL INCLUSIVE price by phone as well as prompt, honest, and reliable service" ~ Jason xxxxxxxxx, President



A lot of duct cleaners charge xx per vent, plus xx for main lines, xx for branch lines etc. SO, i always sell my service as no gimmicks, all inclusive


any input?

[dex]

Fed,
I didn't know you were such a soft touch!

I don't use the yellow pages any more. I use the internet for that now.

My city recycles newspapers and such; so I don't feel bad about throwing them in the trash.

[thefed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by dex Fed, I didn't know you were such a soft touch! I don't use the yellow pages any more. I use the internet for that now. My city recycles newspapers and such; so I don't feel bad about throwing them in the trash.

Yeah yeah. I was planning on paying for my wifes ad just so she could establish a presence....and it did yield some returns...so maybe a better-designed ad that stands out will do better. thus, I gave it a shot



my other idea for a quote is this. better yet, i'll put em side by side and you all can vote!

“I guarantee you an ALL INCLUSIVE

price by phone as well as prompt,
honest, & reliable service.”
~Jason xxxxxxx, President

“We offer prompt, reliable, & efficient

duct cleaning services at an ALL

INCLUSIVE price…guaranteed!”

~Jason xxxxxxx, President

[harley]

Me too, internet. DW still uses the yellow pages though, and quite often before I've even started reading reviews and such, she's already set up the appointment. I suspect a more personalized qoute would be more efective.

[thefed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by harley Me too, internet. DW still uses the yellow pages though, and quite often before I've even started reading reviews and such, she's already set up the appointment. I suspect a more personalized qoute would be more efective.

Can you elaborate?

for the record, about 80% of my business is coming from the web. i really want to be sure no simple stone is left unturned before i take more exotic avenues towards growth. Print ads still work for some, so i've been experimenting to see what works for us

[harley]

I usually go to yahoo yellow pages and find somebody in my area. Then I'll look through any reviews they have (not many), and I'll google the name combined with words like complaints or problems. Sometimes I'll look them up on the BBB site. If they have a web page I'll check it out too.

I don't think this has ever led me to making a good decision, though. There's seldom much information. I suspect I'd do just as well using the YP. My wife just opens th book, finds 2 or 3 companies based on the blurb and the location, then calls around for information and quotes. She's much better at this stuff than I am. One thing we never do is pick the first company listed, so don't call yourself AAA whatever co.

Edit: I missed your post with the options. I would take #2. Number one sounds a bit too much like a used car dealer. I like the ones that say what services you offer.

[Bestwifeever]

I always use the yellow pages--when I google a service in the area or use the online yp, too many out of area places come up and some of them aren't even what I'm looking for (I know they pay to be the ones I see first, but I'm really not interested in a dryer repair service coming from 30 miles away or getting plumbers' info when I'm looking for an electrician).

I like your second wording better too. I like to see the little credit card symbols if you take cc's. I like to see a local phone number or a town name.

[RonBoyd]

FWIW, I discovered that big plastic bag full of telephone books on our doorstep yesterday. I asked DW if I should simply place them in the Recycle Container or did she have a need to look at them first. She said it had been a very long time since she had used a printed telephone book. We figured that it had been about ten years since either of us had used such a publication.

We use the many online Yellow Pages (555-1212 or Dex, for example). Mainly, however, we just use our GPS unit (Nuvi 785) to find the closest whatever. Yelp.com has also been useful.

[W2R]

I use the official AT&T yellow pages. The other freebee phone books go directly from my doorstep to my trashcan. I don't have enough room to keep a bazillion phone books.

So, I would never have seen either of your ads, TheFed. Good luck with them, though! I like the first one best.

[Coach]

thefed, I like the first one better. But I'd make honest and reliable the same size

I always look for BBB affiliation when I'm looking for service.

Coach

[TromboneAl]

Quote:

how do you feel about the YP ads that have a quote from an owner or manager...sometimes even a mugshot?

[thefed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl

nice one

[TromboneAl]

Caption: Don't get stung by high prices!

[thefed]

Quote:

Originally Posted by TromboneAl Caption: Don't get stung by high prices!

I like it!

They might be able to relate more to "Don't get hit by high prices" since the first thought when seeing a fat lip, to me anyhow, is a sucker punch.