Yellow Pages

[Truett]

Just wondering everyones opinion on yellow page advertising.

Worth it or just basic listing?

Richard

[xrac]

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[JustTheBest]

I agree with xrac. Yes, there's that "iconic" part of Yellow Pages but when you think about it, the PHONE is the remote control to everyone's life. The last time (about a couple of years ago) that I had a client book any YP listings, the push continued to get them listed in their on-line app, etc. Sorry, don't recall all the details - and I can find out if you want - but it was more of a push to sell you everything else. Sorry - that's the truth. 

Hope this helps!

Matthew Lee
"The Car Count Fixer"
PS: Hey, just opened registration to my new FREE training course - How to Double Your Car Count in 89 Days 

[Robert Gould]

You have to look at it from the numbers. Yes, it's true the majority of yellow page users are at least 65 if not 70 and up. And it's true that listings are virtually worthless.

BUT, it's really inexpensive to have a large display ad these days, and guess what...the competition is almost zero there because all the shop owners are saying the same thing..."Nobody uses the yellow pages any more." So here's the thing, if it's only people that are say 70+, and you have no competition, then with the right ad, designed for THAT specific demographic, guess who's going to get those car owners looking for service? The way the yellow pages are selling ads now is usually in a bundle with their online programs, which can be very effective at driving traffic to your website. It makes the cost almost nothing to have a good size display ad in the phone book in some of those programs.

One of our oldest clients (25+ yrs) runs a full page ad under Auto Repair, and one under Transmission Repair, in four YP phone books in San Diego. Why would he do that if it didn't work, or give him a positive ROI? I can tell you why...the ads are tracked, and the numbers prove it.

Now this is a guy that has 3 locations, just getting ready to open a 4th. He's one of the most successful shop owners in the country. What does he know about branding and marketing that you don't? If your shop is doing healthy 7 figures than maybe you already have the branding and advertising formula down. If you you're not doing those kinds of numbers, maybe there's some things to learn that can help you get there.

A few of the ads are shown below. Notice the branding consistency, and the focus on the demographic. He gets calls from that older group every month, month in and month out.

So there ya have it. A different perspective. Hope it helps.

 

Robert Gould

 

[JustTheBest]

Robert! Nice ads... and yes, I can see the consistency (and imaging). Nice work! I know you said they get calls - and I don't doubt it at all - but have you considered using "tracking" numbers?? Not necessarily to understand which one is pulling better - but as a way of recording the calls, tracking SALES (ie Revenue) and even use a "whisper" message so that the person ANSWERING the phone knows that "this call is from your yellow page ad". 

Make sense? Being that it's in print, you don't have to be concerned as much about having all the company NAP (Name, Address, Phone Number) data "match" - but just a good way to actually know what the ROI is. 

Hope this helps!
 

Matthew
"The Car Count Fixer"
PS: Join me on YouTube and Grow Your Car Count, Income & Profits!

 

 

[Robert Gould]

Thanks, Matt. Brian has been been my client for over 25 years. He's opening his 4th location now. He's got one of the most successful shops in the country. And yes, tracking numbers are important. They have them. That's why we know they still work and exactly what demographic they work for.