Can you say dead as Elvis?? In fact, I wrote an article about this recently explaining how the advertising model of yellow pages simply doesn’t fit the mind of today’s consumer. Today’s consumer searches online before they do anything else. Their first step towards making a purchasing is essentially the first keys they hit on their computers at work or at home to begin the information gathering process.
Although there are certainly a few that would disagree with my Elvis analogy, it’s safe to say that Yellow Pages, at least the ‘book’ form, won’t be around in a few more years as businesses get smarter and smarter with their advertising dollars
4. Why should big companies advertise in yellow pages?
Because big companies are well-known to waste thousands of adverting dollars freely and if they’re going to do that, then there is no way better than with the Yellow Pages. But seriously, if a big company is still heavily investing in Yellow Pages advertising in this day and age then they likely need to fire their head of marketing.
5. Life without yellow pages my business
Life without wasting money is AWESOME. At least, that’s my opinion. Since my company stopped advertising in the Yellow Pages last year (other than our name, number, and website listing) we have saved an average of $2, 000 per month. For all math gurus, that $24, 000 a year. Do you know how much killer web marketing can be done with $24, 000 a year?? Holy cow, the possibilities are through the roof. This is also why I’m always shocked when businesses squawk over spending less than $10, 000 a year on a lead generation machine and Content Management System like Hubspot when they’re essentially burning money in the campfire with the crazy amounts they’re paying in YP advertising.
6. Small businesses need to be in the yellow pages.
And I need to saw my ankle off with a spoon….Ouch, OK, maybe that’s not the best analogy, but the idea that a company has to be in the Yellow Pages to be successful is absolutely absurd. Yes, there are a few businesses where phone book listings are still very beneficial, like pizza delivery companies, but even they are now seeing more and more of their phone calls and orders being placed online. So, let’s all say it together:
Small businesses do NOT need to be in the Yellow Pages!!
7. Yellow pages waste of money 2010
And 2011, 2012, 2013…….
8. My business moved do I have to pay my yellow pages ad?
This search phrase gave me a nice snicker. Just think, if this person’s marketing was all internet based, he could make the necessary changes at NO COST. Instead, he’s stuck paying for words on a yellow sheet of paper that are sending customers to the wrong address. OUCH.
9. Why a business should not buy a yellow pages ad?
Boy could I list about 50 reasons for this one, but we’ll just give 4 for the sake of time:
- The majority of consumers in our country won’t even crack the book open in 2010.
- The costs are an utter RIP-OFF and would be much better spent on a content-driven web presence.
- The ROI stinks.
- We are, for all intents and purposes, a global economy. The ideas of companies simply marketing towards one or two towns/cities is going the way of the dinosaur.
10. What if I can’t pay my yellow page ad?
Man, I feel for you. Heck, I feel for all the small business owners out there that have been swooned into thinking the Yellow Pages is still a viable marketing platform. But to answer your question, if I were your accountant I’d just go ahead and put the Yellow Pages at the back of my ‘To-Pay’ list. 😉
11. Death to yellow pages
Ahhh, I like this phrase. I’m not sure if the person that typed it in was asking a question or if they were making a toast. So if they were asking a question, please refer back to #3. If the person was making a toast, then I’m raising my glass to that!
Tanya
SCRUB DADDY
TRO Girl