As if you needed anymore proof!!!!

10 replies
So, we received our annual Yellow page directory in the mail today at my office, and couldn't help but compare this years edition to 2010. As if we all needed more proof. YELLOW PAGES ARE A DYING BREED!! I find it so funny that YP reps are out there, still convincing business owners that everything is OK.

Was so "inspired" that I just closed a SEO client today for $2000 per month!

Guys, the business is out there.

Keep selling my friends,
Allustrious - The Offline Trailblazer

#anymore #needed #proof
  • Profile picture of the author Siliconboy187
    So very true! I worked for Yellow book for 3 years, and left last year. I dont think the YP will ever completely go away, but they are certainly gasping for air!
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  • Profile picture of the author Mwind076
    Also why we don't recommend using YP lists...you can't argue that they are still good compared to other lists when it's clear as day that they are fading. Don't even try to tell me it's a font change!
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    I still think the "list" part is similar and if all you want is names to dial it works still. Most all businesses are in the phone book. What less and less of them are doing is paying for the over priced ads that don't convert.

    So the books gets smaller. But the "list" is still basically the same.

    Of course smart business owners know that if they get the right ad in the yellow pages it will still convert and be a good ROI. But you can't just buy the simple crap that YP sells. But they are well aware that less eyes will see their ad now vs. years past. Personally I think it's been about 3 years since I last used a phone book to look something up and that was because I didn't have an internet connection where I was.
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    • Profile picture of the author Allustrious
      Originally Posted by Aaron Doud View Post

      I still think the "list" part is similar and if all you want is names to dial it works still. Most all businesses are in the phone book. What less and less of them are doing is paying for the over priced ads that don't convert.

      So the books gets smaller. But the "list" is still basically the same.

      Of course smart business owners know that if they get the right ad in the yellow pages it will still convert and be a good ROI. But you can't just buy the simple crap that YP sells. But they are well aware that less eyes will see their ad now vs. years past. Personally I think it's been about 3 years since I last used a phone book to look something up and that was because I didn't have an internet connection where I was.
      Aaron, couldnt agree more with you! I recently had my roof replaced, and I never even opened the Yellowpages to search for contractors. It was all through Google on my mobile phone and desktop!
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  • Profile picture of the author Ron Lafuddy
    Allustrious,

    Thanks for posting this.
    The picture says it all.

    Now, the question is....where is all of the money that used to
    go into yellow pages advertising going?

    Yes, some.... but only some, is making it online. Not the vast majority.

    Millions of dollars.

    Where is it going?


    Ron
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    • Profile picture of the author ewenmack
      I would caution you in rushing in to say that Yellow Pages doesn't work.

      We are seeing a thinning of the herd of advertisers in there,
      which can mean less competition.

      And would you advise this plumber not to advertise in the Yellow Pages?

      If you do it would be criminal.

      Best,
      Ewen

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    • Profile picture of the author Allustrious
      I tend to agree that for some industries, YP still offers a good ROI. But, as my graphic depicts, things are changing year by year. My home city (Grand Rapids, MI) is a good sized metro area, with a good amount of SMB's.
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  • Profile picture of the author zoro
    Yeah, but they're still raking in billions of $dollars from business advertisers. Also, in our area is a private Local Directory, and they too are making big bucks of local business.

    So whilst it may not work like they used to, local businesses do understand what advertising is, which the same can't be said for their understanding of things like SEO, SMS, SMM, Google Places, etc, etc.
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  • Profile picture of the author Aaron Doud
    BTW on a pro-YP note.

    For our utility trailers our YP ad converts very well. I was just talking to the guy in charge of cargo/utility trailers.

    Seems that construction companies and such still use the YP to find vendors at least locally.

    So remember the demographics of who is using the YP vs who you are selling to is a huge factor in success.

    Target Customers retired or near retirement? YP would be great.
    Target customers are in high school or college? YP would be horrid to find them.
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    • Profile picture of the author jimbo13
      By the way, not sure about US but if you are in UK not only can you get the rates of the various Ads in a book you can also see the cut off dates for the Ads.

      Stops you looking a prat. eg Where I live the final booking date for any Ad is 12th December.

      So if you phone a company on the 13th and after to say you can do a better job than YP then that is your stupid fault when they say they have just spent their budget.

      Here is the info if you have no idea what I am talking about. Click your book then click on any Ad type and you will see the date plus rates.

      Advertise with Yellow Pages » Yell Direct

      It is called intercepting a problem before it arises.

      Footballers learn to defend and to score goals. But life is never straight forward so they learn to tackle (intercept) too.

      Sales is no different.

      Dan
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