Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors)

BIG DEALS · 19th Feb 2013, 10:59 AM

I have created a mobile directory for a city that has a lot of tourism year round. Right now, I have not asked for any money from the businesses I have listed, but I am ready to monetize.

I am trying to figure out the best way to monetize while capturing more mobile traffic to my website.

One of the methods I am going to implement is creating a flyer to leave at hotels that feature my website and hope it drives traffic to my site. I will be asking some of the hotel staff if they could mention it to guests if they are looking for restaurants, bars, shopping etc.

Another method is to post flyers for my website in the lobbies of big apartment complexes. Like the hotels, these flyers will have a QR code and a printed URL.

I will list somewhere to be sure to check out the "daily deal" for a clear call to action.

Any suggestions on strong call to actions on my flyers? My budget is minimal to say the least. I figure once I have more traffic to my site it will be easier to monetize because I can show businesses actual numbers.

Thanks in advance!

BIG DEALS · 19th Feb 2013, 05:04 PM

Just got some color flyers printed for free! Will be distributing them to hotels and apartment complexes this week. I will keep you up to date on my progress.

4webmaster · 19th Feb 2013, 11:00 PM

Sir,
It is a great idea to build a mobile directory website but if you don't have any monetization plan then it's like you'll be a happy guy to own your city mobile directory but not making money will simply be waste of time and money with your flyers.

So I suggest you to add on your flyers one very important call to action:

Build your list!
Give them something valuable in exchange of their email. I'm telling you this because I see 95% of flyers in my city with a nice graphic, product or service description and a Big call to action visit: url link or Call us Now!. They think about a new business announcement and want visitors (traffic) but that is ZERO in marketing.

Building a list is crucial. You can find sponsors and promote mobile coupons.
ex: Subscribe to our VIP member list and get a 50% off on drinks,....with these businesses....
Because your sponsors gives you 50% off you do same with a 50% discount price on your entire list for each marketing and mailing campain, all other businesses will have to pay full price.
Above is just an idea but could not be effective in your city so don't think it works.

BIG DEALS · 20th Feb 2013, 09:03 AM

I appreciate your comments. I welcome any suggestions. I am implementing a list and will be doing so using SMS.

In order for the directory to work you need traffic. But part of the way to get traffic is by having business listings on there. It is a bit of a catch when you pitch a business without traffic and it is difficult to get traffic without business listings.

I have been creating free listings and plan on doing about 20-30 more. I will keep them free until I get enough traffic where I can approach the business owner.

Also, I will be running a PPC campaign to get some targeted traffic.

Nail Yener · 20th Feb 2013, 09:12 AM

One idea that comes to my mind is that you can offer some free listings to local businesses in your directory, in exchange for a backlink from their website. Most directories do this until they get to a certain level of traffic.

BIG DEALS · 20th Feb 2013, 09:17 AM

Originally Posted by Nail Yener

One idea that comes to my mind is that you can offer some free listings to local businesses in your directory, in exchange for a backlink from their website. Most directories do this until they get to a certain level of traffic.

That is a good idea.

John Durham · 20th Feb 2013, 10:24 AM

Originally Posted by BIG DEALS

I figure once I have more traffic to my site it will be easier to monetize because I can show businesses actual numbers.

Thanks in advance!

Not really. I mean they help but, selling wont be any easier than it would be now. I know that theoretically that doesnt make sense , but its true.

My suggestion is to find some other selling points to capitalize on and start selling now...

BIG DEALS · 20th Feb 2013, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by John Durham

Not really. I mean they help but, selling wont be any easier than it would be now. I know that theoretically that doesnt make sense , but its true.

My suggestion is to find some other selling points to capitalize on and start selling now...

I have thought that might be true. Think I will tighten up my powerpoint presentations and printouts and hit the streets. I have a couple of big businesses that already will join so that will help.

4webmaster · 20th Feb 2013, 10:58 AM

Originally Posted by John Durham

Not really. I mean they help but, selling wont be any easier than it would be now. I know that theoretically that doesnt make sense , but its true.

My suggestion is to find some other selling points to capitalize on and start selling now...

Good point here. Many will tell you mobile directory is great and you can make money from business owners. The true is that all you've heard about making money with a mobile derectory is just B.S.
I've been joining several FB goups, directory script forums actively and none I say none have posted that they have been making money or return on investment. Some did earn for couple hundreds but also spent thousand dollars.

In the past I own about 5 city or niche directories and did all my best to promote, add free listings... none did give me ROI so I sold and guess how much I sold for? Over thousand dollar, I was more than happy, I did it not with business owners but with the buyers of my directories they were thinking they will make huge money from it (the myth, read below). Did they met their goals? Well after several years now, it's still at the starting point.

Not to discourage you but Mobile Directory or Website Directory money machine is a MYTH! The only Business making money from it is YELP.

What's not a myth is that business owners will be happy to be on it for free but would hardly spend a dime on it.

If someone can prove me wrong, he should say it here.

John Durham · 20th Feb 2013, 11:17 AM

Originally Posted by 4webmaster

Good point here. Many will tell you mobile directory is great and you can make money from business owners. The true is that all you've heard about making money with a mobile derectory is just B.S.
I've been joining several FB goups, directory script forums actively and none I say none have posted that they have been making money or return on investment. Some did earn for couple hundreds but also spent thousand dollars.

In the past I own about 5 city or niche directories and did all my best to promote, add free listings... none did give me ROI so I sold and guess how much I sold for? Over thousand dollar, I was more than happy, I did it not with business owners but with the buyers of my directories they were thinking they will make huge money from it (the myth, read below). Did they met their goals? Well after several years now, it's still at the starting point.

Not to discourage you but Mobile Directory or Website Directory money machine is a MYTH! The only Business making money from it is YELP.

What's not a myth is that business owners will be happy to be on it for free but would hardly spend a dime on it.

If someone can prove me wrong, he should say it here.

This post is ridiculous.

Im sorry you failed at this and obviously have some resentment toward the whole concept. Birds of a feather flock together, perhaps you should be looking for places to hang out where failure is not the common denominator.

I just responded to a post THIS morning, in the offline section where someone is making money with their directory site, so please dont use my post as a catalyst to perpetuate such garbage as "It cant be done".

My point is that it is just as easy to sell before the numbers are there as it is after they are there, it's just a matter of shifting focus of your selling points on to a different set of benefits...

Try to tell the guys at findlaw.com or yellowbook360 that directory sites dont work.

You dont get anywhere seeking opinions from people who have never succeeded with one, all they are qualified to advise on you on is how to make it fail. Some groups gather just sit around consoling and excusing each others failure by slamming the whole concept of anything they were not able to make work, and confirming to each other that its the concepts fault.

It makes them all feel better about failing.

Find some people who are succeeding at it, or HAVE succeeded at it, and ask them instead.

If you are looking for losers to tell you how a whole concept is just a scam , in ANY endeavor....they arent hard to find. They love to gather in pools and slam everything but their own lack of performance.

You find what you are LOOKING for.

-John

As for "If someone can prove me wrong they should do it here..."

Is that a line in the sand, as if people who are succeeding owe you proof?

No one owes you anything... but here is one example.

Note:

Please if you go to that thread, go with an attitude to learn what works and not to mess up a positive vibe with a bunch of slamming: http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ml#post7762726

On another note... the only one who can prove anything to you is YOU. You either are determined to make something work or you arent. Period.

These are proven concepts.

If you look for successful advice you will find it...but iof you look for confirmation of why something is unworkable you will find 80% more... because 80% of the people out there wont make anything succeed, they will just sit around and call every opportunity that comes down the pike "unrealistic".

Those people can only tell you how something doesnt work, they arent qualified to tell you how it DOES work.

Yes. Directory sites work.

-John

BIG DEALS · 20th Feb 2013, 11:50 AM

You dont get anywhere seeking opinions from people who have never succeeded with one, all they are qualified to advise on you on is how to make it fail. Some groups gather just sit around consoling and excusing each others failure by slamming the whole concept of anything they were not able to make work, and confirming to each other that its the concepts fault.

It makes them all feel better about failing.

This cannot be more true. If something is not working for you- look for guidance from someone who has succeeded. It is easy to sit around with folks who have not met their goals. When you finally suceed, it won't matter how many times you have failed in the past.

4webmaster · 20th Feb 2013, 12:10 PM

I maintain my article posted not as a failer but more over from what I've read on forums and FB groups.

Find law and yellowbook360 is totally different than a directory site we most see. They have article, community....

When I talk about directory I mean site like the niche raiders restaurant directory, phpmy directory scripts...

Now if you are talking about a directory with more features like findlaw it's different.

Don't get me wrong, It's not because I fail that I'm saying it won't work, I'm not a loser like some can be, I alway do over and over again to reach my goal, leaving what did not work and applying what is working and learn and learn again till I get success.

But the Directory stuff I've been for over 10 years then you have to skip what doesnt works and keep on going with what works.

You don't know me enough so saying the post is ridiculous is just how people like you tried to spread the myth.

Learn more before you post a comment.

John Durham · 20th Feb 2013, 12:19 PM

Originally Posted by 4webmaster

I maintain my article posted not as a failer but more over from what I've read on forums and FB groups.

Find law and yellowbook360 is totally different than a directory site we most see. They have article, community....

When I talk about directory I mean site like the niche raiders restaurant directory, phpmy directory scripts...

Now if you are talking about a directory with more features like findlaw it's different.

Don't get me wrong, It's not because I fail that I'm saying it won't work, I'm not a loser like some can be, I alway do over and over again to reach my goal, leaving what did not work and applying what is working and learn and learn again till I get success.

But the Directory stuff I've been for over 10 years then you have to skip what doesnt works and keep on going with what works.

You don't know me enough so saying the post is ridiculous is just how people like you tried to spread the myth.

Learn more before you post a comment.

You asked for proof and I gave it to you. Findlaw isnt any different than anything that anyone here can do... even starting off on a smaller scale, nor is yellow book 360...and those are just two examples out of a THOUSAND. There are a hundred warriors here with income producing directory sites alone.

If you want to know how to make it work, I have made it work before, and I will gladly help you with advice.

Sorry for coming across harsh.

4webmaster · 20th Feb 2013, 05:25 PM

Originally Posted by John Durham

You asked for proof and I gave it to you. Findlaw isnt any different than anything that anyone here can do... even starting off on a smaller scale, nor is yellow book 360...and those are just two examples out of a THOUSAND. There are a hundred warriors here with income producing directory sites alone.

If you want to know how to make it work, I have made it work before, and I will gladly help you with advice.

Sorry for coming across harsh.

No problem, John, we are here to talk not to fight.
As I say if you do a simple directory without innovation you won't go far check FindLaw yourself and you'll see that it's not a simple directory it is also a community based site.

Anyway. After investigation on how BIG DEALS is going to promote and how he is innovating with his mobile directory I can say that, this is not the Cookie paste directory like niche raiders theme and other scripts but a custom made mobile site and it is really innovating. I can close my eyes and say he will be successful with his mobile directory and I wish him all the best.

jakesy · 21st Feb 2013, 04:10 AM

Originally Posted by John Durham

This post is ridiculous.

Im sorry you failed at this and obviously have some resentment toward the whole concept. Birds of a feather flock together, perhaps you should be looking for places to hang out where failure is not the common denominator.

I just responded to a post THIS morning, in the offline section where someone is making money with their directory site, so please dont use my post as a catalyst to perpetuate such garbage as "It cant be done".

My point is that it is just as easy to sell before the numbers are there as it is after they are there, it's just a matter of shifting focus of your selling points on to a different set of benefits...

Try to tell the guys at findlaw.com or yellowbook360 that directory sites dont work.

You dont get anywhere seeking opinions from people who have never succeeded with one, all they are qualified to advise on you on is how to make it fail. Some groups gather just sit around consoling and excusing each others failure by slamming the whole concept of anything they were not able to make work, and confirming to each other that its the concepts fault.

It makes them all feel better about failing.

Find some people who are succeeding at it, or HAVE succeeded at it, and ask them instead.

If you are looking for losers to tell you how a whole concept is just a scam , in ANY endeavor....they arent hard to find. They love to gather in pools and slam everything but their own lack of performance.

You find what you are LOOKING for.

-John

As for "If someone can prove me wrong they should do it here..."

Is that a line in the sand, as if people who are succeeding owe you proof?

No one owes you anything... but here is one example.

Note:

Please if you go to that thread, go with an attitude to learn what works and not to mess up a positive vibe with a bunch of slamming: http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...ml#post7762726

On another note... the only one who can prove anything to you is YOU. You either are determined to make something work or you arent. Period.

These are proven concepts.

If you look for successful advice you will find it...but iof you look for confirmation of why something is unworkable you will find 80% more... because 80% of the people out there wont make anything succeed, they will just sit around and call every opportunity that comes down the pike "unrealistic".

Those people can only tell you how something doesnt work, they arent qualified to tell you how it DOES work.

Yes. Directory sites work.

-John

Great stuff John.
Just out of curiosity how many directory sites do you operate? What prices are you charging the businesses on your directory sites? How did you approach them..before you ranked the site or after? Any info would be much appreciated

John Durham · 21st Feb 2013, 05:17 PM

@ Jakesy,

If you have been reading any of my other posts then you may know that the directory site model is the one Im pursuing now, after kind of having a tough year and starting over again from practically scratch...and Im in the pre launch stages right now of that.

But what is more important to note, if you have read the bower report, is that my career was STARTED with a directory site, a huge one that went from virtually zero, to later being sold to Prodigy International for over 800 million dollars. (Biz on the .net- You can google it and learn of the merger).

I have sold hundreds of listings personally on the phone, as well as having managed a team that , under my direction and training, sold almost 20,000 directory listings in a single year, and went on to sell 60,000 more, using my script, in the following couple of years after I left to start my own web design company.

I know selling directory listings like the back of my hand.

I have also sold websites and other online services for years on the phone and face to face, both personally and as a sales manager for teams of sales people.

The sites we sold @ biz on the.net didnt even rank on the first page period ...we sold on all kinds of other benefits associated with having a website. I mean just the mere fact that they serve as an online "brochure" is worth something and there are a hundred other points you could make, let me look up a link to another post I have regarding that.

Okay here it goes...

http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...sic-offer.html

If it were me, I would just call them up and say "Hi Bob, we are calling about your free listing... We just needed to make sure we had your information correct, you are located at 123 Main right? Okay great. I have the right place then. And did you folks have a slogan we could put on your listing? Okay great, and is this the phone number you want us to send customers to?

Great.... Looks like I have everything I need there, just to let you know your free listing should be up and running within 24 hours and we will send you a link when its done....Whats a good email addresss that you commonly check so I will know where to send that too? (Ps. Now this email address can go on your follow up list as well).

Okay great, now while I have you on the phone Bob, your free listing, includes ABC, will do ABC for you, but for a limited time we ARE offering our premium listings for a special price, they include such things as ABC..."

Thats how I would pitch. I would call and give them a free three line listing, because it helps me with having content anyway... then I would work in a pitch about the premium one and try to close them on it.

2 out of three people are going to go along with you, and give you the info for the free listing and answer your questions, and one of those two will listen to your pitch on the premium listing, and about one out of three or 4 of THOSE people will buy it.

Hope this helps.

-John

19th Feb 2013, 10:59 AM	#1
BIG DEALS HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 119 Thanks: 14 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors) Share on: I have created a mobile directory for a city that has a lot of tourism year round. Right now, I have not asked for any money from the businesses I have listed, but I am ready to monetize. I am trying to figure out the best way to monetize while capturing more mobile traffic to my website. One of the methods I am going to implement is creating a flyer to leave at hotels that feature my website and hope it drives traffic to my site. I will be asking some of the hotel staff if they could mention it to guests if they are looking for restaurants, bars, shopping etc. Another method is to post flyers for my website in the lobbies of big apartment complexes. Like the hotels, these flyers will have a QR code and a printed URL. I will list somewhere to be sure to check out the "daily deal" for a clear call to action. Any suggestions on strong call to actions on my flyers? My budget is minimal to say the least. I figure once I have more traffic to my site it will be easier to monetize because I can show businesses actual numbers. Thanks in advance!
	www.504best.com New Orleans' Best: Restaurants, Bars, Shopping, Coupons & More! Custom Made Mobile Directories - Make Money while helping local businesses succeed! Visit www.504best.com on your phone for an example. PM for questions and pricing.

19th Feb 2013, 05:04 PM	#2
BIG DEALS HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 119 Thanks: 14 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors) Share on: Just got some color flyers printed for free! Will be distributing them to hotels and apartment complexes this week. I will keep you up to date on my progress.
	www.504best.com New Orleans' Best: Restaurants, Bars, Shopping, Coupons & More! Custom Made Mobile Directories - Make Money while helping local businesses succeed! Visit www.504best.com on your phone for an example. PM for questions and pricing.

19th Feb 2013, 11:00 PM	#3
4webmaster Advanced Warrior Join Date: 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 736 Thanks: 33 Thanked 144 Times in 119 Posts	Re: Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors) Share on: Sir, It is a great idea to build a mobile directory website but if you don't have any monetization plan then it's like you'll be a happy guy to own your city mobile directory but not making money will simply be waste of time and money with your flyers. So I suggest you to add on your flyers one very important call to action: Build your list! Give them something valuable in exchange of their email. I'm telling you this because I see 95% of flyers in my city with a nice graphic, product or service description and a Big call to action visit: url link or Call us Now!. They think about a new business announcement and want visitors (traffic) but that is ZERO in marketing. Building a list is crucial. You can find sponsors and promote mobile coupons. ex: Subscribe to our VIP member list and get a 50% off on drinks,....with these businesses.... Because your sponsors gives you 50% off you do same with a 50% discount price on your entire list for each marketing and mailing campain, all other businesses will have to pay full price. Above is just an idea but could not be effective in your city so don't think it works.
	https://stevesuard.com

20th Feb 2013, 09:03 AM	#4
BIG DEALS HyperActive Warrior Join Date: 2012 Posts: 119 Thanks: 14 Thanked 19 Times in 11 Posts	Re: Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors) Share on: I appreciate your comments. I welcome any suggestions. I am implementing a list and will be doing so using SMS. In order for the directory to work you need traffic. But part of the way to get traffic is by having business listings on there. It is a bit of a catch when you pitch a business without traffic and it is difficult to get traffic without business listings. I have been creating free listings and plan on doing about 20-30 more. I will keep them free until I get enough traffic where I can approach the business owner. Also, I will be running a PPC campaign to get some targeted traffic.
	www.504best.com New Orleans' Best: Restaurants, Bars, Shopping, Coupons & More! Custom Made Mobile Directories - Make Money while helping local businesses succeed! Visit www.504best.com on your phone for an example. PM for questions and pricing.

20th Feb 2013, 09:12 AM	#5
Nail Yener You reap what you sow. War Room Member Join Date: 2008 Location: Sometimes you don't. Posts: 1,078 Thanks: 196 Thanked 411 Times in 243 Posts	Re: Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors) Share on: One idea that comes to my mind is that you can offer some free listings to local businesses in your directory, in exchange for a backlink from their website. Most directories do this until they get to a certain level of traffic.

20th Feb 2013, 12:10 PM	#12
4webmaster Advanced Warrior Join Date: 2006 Location: , , . Posts: 736 Thanks: 33 Thanked 144 Times in 119 Posts	Re: Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors) Share on: I maintain my article posted not as a failer but more over from what I've read on forums and FB groups. Find law and yellowbook360 is totally different than a directory site we most see. They have article, community.... When I talk about directory I mean site like the niche raiders restaurant directory, phpmy directory scripts... Now if you are talking about a directory with more features like findlaw it's different. Don't get me wrong, It's not because I fail that I'm saying it won't work, I'm not a loser like some can be, I alway do over and over again to reach my goal, leaving what did not work and applying what is working and learn and learn again till I get success. But the Directory stuff I've been for over 10 years then you have to skip what doesnt works and keep on going with what works. You don't know me enough so saying the post is ridiculous is just how people like you tried to spread the myth. Learn more before you post a comment.
	https://stevesuard.com

21st Feb 2013, 05:17 PM	#16
John Durham VIP Warrior War Room Member Join Date: 2007 Location: , , USA. Posts: 6,103 Thanks: 5,633 Thanked 7,224 Times in 2,938 Posts	Re: Mobile Directory (how to monetize and gain more visitors) Share on: @ Jakesy, If you have been reading any of my other posts then you may know that the directory site model is the one Im pursuing now, after kind of having a tough year and starting over again from practically scratch...and Im in the pre launch stages right now of that. But what is more important to note, if you have read the bower report, is that my career was STARTED with a directory site, a huge one that went from virtually zero, to later being sold to Prodigy International for over 800 million dollars. (Biz on the .net- You can google it and learn of the merger). I have sold hundreds of listings personally on the phone, as well as having managed a team that , under my direction and training, sold almost 20,000 directory listings in a single year, and went on to sell 60,000 more, using my script, in the following couple of years after I left to start my own web design company. I know selling directory listings like the back of my hand. I have also sold websites and other online services for years on the phone and face to face, both personally and as a sales manager for teams of sales people. The sites we sold @ biz on the.net didnt even rank on the first page period ...we sold on all kinds of other benefits associated with having a website. I mean just the mere fact that they serve as an online "brochure" is worth something and there are a hundred other points you could make, let me look up a link to another post I have regarding that. Okay here it goes... http://www.warriorforum.com/offline-...sic-offer.html If it were me, I would just call them up and say "Hi Bob, we are calling about your free listing... We just needed to make sure we had your information correct, you *are* located at 123 Main right? Okay great. I have the right place then. And did you folks have a slogan we could put on your listing? Okay great, and is this the phone number you want us to send customers to? Great.... Looks like I have everything I need there, just to let you know your free listing should be up and running within 24 hours and we will send you a link when its done....Whats a good email addresss that you commonly check so I will know where to send that too? (Ps. Now this email address can go on your follow up list as well). Okay great, now while I have you on the phone Bob, your free listing, includes ABC, will do ABC for you, but for a limited time we ARE offering our premium listings for a special price, they include such things as ABC..." Thats how I would pitch. I would call and give them a free three line listing, because it helps me with having content anyway... then I would work in a pitch about the premium one and try to close them on it. 2 out of three people are going to go along with you, and give you the info for the free listing and answer your questions, and one of those two will listen to your pitch on the premium listing, and about one out of three or 4 of THOSE people will buy it. Hope this helps. -John