[Neil Grainger]

I hope i've done the right thing?

[ianharper]

Neil

First, Yes.

every media that you use should pay for itself, if you like me it does not then you must spend your money on one that does.

Find a new marketing idea and test it out then put the money you would have fron yell into it.

One idea that I am about to start using is a portable sign with a card dispenser on it. then chain it to a lamp post outside different infants and primary schools. then get leaflets dropped in that area the same day. this is the way that signs work best, so I am told.

I am going to test different tag lines, for different groups.

its my new approach to marketing. , by spending your money on things that can be reused, changed or give great value for money, has to be the way forwards.

As you know you sign a contract with yell and give them the artwork and just wait, if you have made a mistake or wish to change, bad luck you cant.

my big idea for dropping yell is to get a van have it sign wrapped like the sky ones and park in areas that i am having leaflets dropped. I'll bet i will get a better return, and if not i can sell the van, more that you can do with yell.

If you have your van signed you will know that you get work from it if the signs and van look good.

At the weekend get out and drop letter of in offices and work places,

Don't look back, look at what you can now do that you have saved yourself that money, I for one am up £150 a month, in truth you have to be active with your marketing and not passive waiting for things to happen. its nice to think that you can just sit back and wait for the phone to ring, but we all know that's not how it works.

Good luck

Respect

Ian Harper

[ollie]

i dropped yp ..i just have the free one liner and im still getting calls!

[maxcarpets]

Just booked a double page full colour ad in Camberley issue of YP.............................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................Not really!

You've probably done the right thing Neil, its not what its cracked up to be. I've cut mine back this year.

Regards
 Justin

[davep]

I just have the free ad in yp, gets me jobs too..  I think a lot of people look for a local number no matter how big the ad is..  thats what i do if looking for a garage, electrician etc

[ianharper]

davep

your right, but you need demand to get the phone to ring. i spent thousands on what is call "remote call forwarding" from BT in my pages last year. this is where it looks like you have a local STD code but it based in a local exchange that forwards it to your number.

did not work. why? no demand.

people have to have a need to pick the book up. the reason that leaflets work better for us is that we put offers on them, and that's a reason to buy.

Respect

Ian Harper

[davep]

I see, but i dont mean people look for a local std code, but a more local area code, like the 1st 3 digits of the nummber.. mine starts 427 so that is what people look for i think, or a another close to home (722, 724 or whatever part of the city you are)

[mark_roberts]

Personally I think your wrong.

Must ask the question why it dosent work.  I assume theres a few hundred thousand people in your YP area and those that want carpet cleaning will use the YP as they do up and down the land.  But why do they not ring your number.  Thats the question.

Put your advert in the paper or on a flyer to gauge responce before committing to the YP

There are dos and donts with YP as with all advertising.

If you get it right its probably the most easy way of getting work.  Spend money, phone rings, do job, collect money.

Makr

[Ian Gourlay]

Last year had a call from a yellow Page Market research person.

One of the questions was would you be interested in paying per call,
like pay per click.

They did appear to take up the low cost Local number idea to monitor calls although i suggested 0800 but not the pay per call idea/

If they had agreed to pay per call  I would have had a page provided the cost per call worked out.

[ianharper]

mark

its still dependant on demand

respect

ian harper

[Neil Grainger]

Amazing, On Saturday had 3 Calls all from Yellowpages, Converted 2 their and then and 1 wants a quote today.

I have'nt had a sniff from Yellowpages for months and as soon as I dump them I get 3 Jobs.

Allow I still think that pulling out will be good, I am going to do a big Newspaper advert in 3 Free papers, Already do 1 and get alot of work from it, so i thought about doing it in all their free paers for a special price. Also getting a board done to have leaflets and an advert whilst I am cleaning.

S.ds law.

Cheers

Neil

[Macarthur]

Find the same thing Neil, sometimes I go months with no calls from anyone at all, then suddenly loads of calls at once.
My latest £1200 ad has nearly half paid for itself after first few months, which at the moment is in line with last year.

Nigel.