Dougster

I know that I don't personally... but I am a hideous old computer nerd. If a company doesn't have a listing in Google Local and a website, they are pretty much off my radar screen. But is this true of landscaping, lawncare, excavation and grading services too???

The poor old Dougster™ has paid about $100 a month for the last two years for his hardcopy business phone book ads; first in Yellowbook and later in the Verizon SuperPages. So far, it has pretty much been money thrown away.

As most folks know, Yellowbook lied to me and screwed me bad with a worthless set of listings in a phonebook with a coverage area that was 90% outside of my geographical range. The Yellowbook phone books also came out nearly 2 months late and well into the our ditch digging season. I got a handful of calls, but none for work in my local area. And when I complained to them and demanded some amends for their unethical practices, blatant lies and late publication, they agreed... but then never followed through as promised... denying me even one of their free complementary business listings this year, apparently as revenge for my complaints. Nice people, heh?


I have just about had it with giving money away to these phonebook folks with nothing to show for it in return. My free Yahoo, Google, Craigslist and other local online listings generate almost all new leads these days and pretty much always have. Should I now put any new advertising money I can afford into newspapers instead? Or are they just as bad these days as the worthless paper phonebooks? Am I just in the wrong paper publications? Or should I save my advertising dollars and rely exclusively on the 'Net alone???

Dougster™

Deanster

Personally, I throw any phone book in the recycle bin as soon as it arrives. Having internet, and internet on your phone itself really dispenses with the need for a phone book.

However, I'm sure my dad still has a stack of phone books.

___________________________
Cub Cadet Yanmar EX3200, CL300 Loader w/ Rankin toothbar, Land Pride bucket forks, CB75 Backhoe w/ mechanical thumb, Woods LR72 Landscape Rake, Rankin RC20-72 rotary cutter.

Dougster

Ouch!

Well, at least you didn't say "Grandad"!!!

Dougster™

Deanster

The point being that some of the older folks might still find you through the traditional yellow pages. But, if I were you I'd consider dropping the yellow pages, stick with what works, and maybe try to develop new word of mouth and networking strategies.

___________________________
Cub Cadet Yanmar EX3200, CL300 Loader w/ Rankin toothbar, Land Pride bucket forks, CB75 Backhoe w/ mechanical thumb, Woods LR72 Landscape Rake, Rankin RC20-72 rotary cutter.

PaulChristenson

Hey...I resemble that remark...

But it is true, most of my service providers have come from word of mouth recommendations...

The other advantage of the yellow pages is that it takes the place of the sears catalog in the outhouse......
Jamaica Cottage Shop - post and beam shed kits and plans, garden sheds, wood cottages

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Dougster

No big surprise I suppose... but the vast majority of my clients have been younger, two income professionals (young families) with some money to spend but little time on their hands. And yes, they do tend to be fully Internet savvy. Retired homeowners are my next biggest customer base with middle-aged homeowners, home renovators, local businessmen and other tradesmen/contractors being the hardest of the nuts to crack so far.

I guess the immediate question is whether or not I should find the money to buy some newspaper advertising for one big "last gasp" push for business in this insanely poor ditch digging season. Would it reach the right people? Would it really matter? Would it make a difference?

Is anyone out there today spending any money they don't absolutely have to?

Dougster™

PaulChristenson

NO...

Exception: In VT we just had our tax free weekend, and there was a massive amount of sales transacted...the downside is that many of those spending money to avoid the sales tax will lose any supposed savings when their interest from their credit cards come due...

Paul in VT

I used to own an ant farm but had to give it up. I couldn't find tractors small enough to fit it.
-- Steven Wright

Deanster

I remember an episode of "Leave it to Beaver" where Eddie Haskel advised the Beaver to cut people's lawn's first, then knock on the door and ask to be paid. Do you think that tactic could work for ditch-digging?

___________________________
Cub Cadet Yanmar EX3200, CL300 Loader w/ Rankin toothbar, Land Pride bucket forks, CB75 Backhoe w/ mechanical thumb, Woods LR72 Landscape Rake, Rankin RC20-72 rotary cutter.

Dougster

When we were vacationing recently in and around Woodstock, VT, the locals all told us that they do virtually ALL of their important shopping across the line in the glorious sales tax free land of "Live Free or Die"! Is this true or were we being goofed on???

Dougster™

Dougster

Eddie *was* and still *is* one of my all-time heros!



But no, I don't think that would be a really good business strategy for moi!

Dougster™

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