G'day All,

Just wondering if anyone here that runs their own business, of any sort, has advertised in the yellow pages, currently or previously, and if they have found it worth the money? What sort of response have you had as in gaining extra work? What has the average cost been of advertising in the yellow pages?

I have only advertised in our local paper and I am considering the yellow pages but don't want to jump in with out knowing others thoughts and experiences.

Cheers

Craig.

i pay $2700 a year for a premium colour ad in the Yellow pages
its a 2 unit ad ( size of a business card )

i was thinking of going to a 4 unit ad and it was going to be something around $5000

i wouldnt go a year without advertising in the yellow pages just think anytime your looking for somthing you always look there first

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Noel

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Yellow pages tends to attract price shoppers - they'll ring a number of businesses to see who gives a better price.

By all means, have an ad there, but don't expect it to outsell your ad in the local free paper (anything with a 7 day TV guide and a local tradies classifieds section is your sweet spot). The freebie billboards at local shops (if available) can also be a good spot to advertise if you are looking in specific geographic areas.

Remember to ask people who call where they saw your number, and (importantly) keep a record of how many calls you get from each source, and (even more importantly) how many convert into jobs.

When you are quoting or working on a place, it may also be worth spending 15 minutes letterboxing other houses in the area (if you are replacing old, worn out fences) with a business card stapled to a letter of introduction - "Hi, I'm Bob, I'm currently replacing some fences in the area - if you have a fence that is past its prime [list things you can do for fences], give me a call and etc etc.

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Noel

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Forums are great to advertise

but im in the Dental field and most people dont look at forums when they are having problems they just pull out the yellow pages

and yes you do get people just calling everyone in the yellow pages for the best price but sometimes its better just to quote these people high so that they go else where

$2700 it not that much if you compare the amount i spend on rent a year
these days i dont think you can rent a shop out for less then $3000 a month in my area

i found that advertising in golf and lawnbowl clubs to be another great place

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Some of which are only advertising, Fuggim'

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Noel

Administrator Only when I have to

i did not know that people get quotes from the denist over the phone before they come in, how does the phone call go?

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Im a Dental Prosthetist ( I only make dentures ) im not a dentist

most of the time i dont give prices over the phone as i dont charge for consultations
but if i do i always over Quote so that there arnt any problems later on

it only takes 15mins of my time so i would rather people come in for me to have a look

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Thanks for the replies, certainly some food for thought!

Hi guys

I would have to say i depends on what your service is as to where to advertise.
I never look in the yellowpages for anything trade related I only use the local paper or the internet and keep local .
What i do not understand is the number of trade related businesses that don't use signage ...why do you think they use it for realestate it works .
Everyone likes to look at work being done as they go by so if it cost $2300 to be in the yellow page thats a hell of a lot of signs you could get made up and im sure a client would not mind you leaving one there for a week or two after a job was completed .
i have often mentioned this to trades that do good work for me .
just a thought .
Rob

Depends on business, but nowadays the web is often better & cheaper alternative and cheap - but can be nasty too.

But for trades especially what Rod says is true - one of the reasons that the various 'Jim's' franchises are successful is that they are very visible while out and about. So - signs on utes, trucks & trailers - big readable name & number on work shirts, signs up at you worksite (not always possible) and so on count. Many find ads the free community papers bring in work. Always have business cards to hand out - and simple and readable too.

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I use the home improvements web site for advertising i think its about $160 for the year and compared to yellow pages online $140 per month its great value.
We specialise in heritage restorations and have an old house as a logo i think some form of logo is a good idea as people dont always remember names but logos if appropriate to your buisness usually are remembered when looking in advertising publications
Was in yellow online for 18 months got 3 jobs i average 4 emails a month chasing quotes and usually get one of them which more than covers the ad.
Have always been in yellow pages mainly because if someone can not remember your details when refering you hopefully they will think to look in the yellow pages.