Sorry maybe off topic but need opinion(s)

Jim_47

I actually have two questions or topics to discuss.

1) has anyone dropped advertising in your phone company's book and had success with a phone book not associated with the landline phone companies book.?

2) Has anyone dropped their landline phone and replaced it entirely with a Cell phone or variations of cell phone equipment?

thanks and please assist

Steamhead

Answers

1. No, but we're quite unhappy with SuperMedia, which handles yellow pages (and other things) in our area. We're looking at options.



2- No, and we don't plan to. Unless cell phones become as reliable as landline phones, we're not doing that. And cell phones are getting worse, not better.

Jim_47

Options

What about using a Cable modem for the business or perhaps one of the new Verizon Home phone connect machines?

Mark Eatherton

According to their sales people...

Not having an add in their Yellow Pages is considered economic suicide. We use to poll our customers about how they got in touch with us, and the least popular method was (drum roll please) The Yellow Pages!! We estimated that it was costing on the order of $250 per lead generated from THE book.



As for a land line, I have one, but am on the road so much, that it really doesn't do me much good. I only list my cell phone number on my business card. I don't even own a FAX machine (GASP!!!)



As for phone lines, there are many options out there that excludes the Bells of the world.



I can tell you one thing you don't want to do or try, and that is cancel your Y.P. agreement after the book is in print. Their attorneys are more numerous and powerful than yours, and they rarely lose a case in court...



Personally, I don't even use the YP for anything any more. The internet is much more convenient.



BTW, guess what THE most popular method of contact was with the previous business.



Word Of Mouth. Consider a referral fee based system to enhance your WOM sales. It's less expensive and far more productive than a YP add, shows your customers that they are appreciated and the close rate with WOM customers is significantly higher than any other resource, because your capabilities and talents have already been touted by a close confidant. Customers for life are the BEST customers.



YP ads are getting so non plus. Mine goes directly from my front porch to the recycle bin, minus the refrigerator magnets... I sew them into the knees of my jeans to fight off arthritis :-)



Any one else have tracked their advertising dollars? YMMV...



ME

Paul Pollets

dropping YP

YP always held an iron grip on business owners' "kadotes". We dropped the advertising including "DEX Knows" as of this April. We will depend on the internet, which was always more than 60% of the leads. The excessivfe cost of the ad and their low yields makes sense except for strictly service/repair companies, and I have my doubts there as well. Website design and search access will become more important.