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Have you said goodbye to your yellow pages?
We’re Okies, but feel free to fill in “OKC” with your city’s name, except for those of you who live in San Francisco, where unsolicited delivery of the yellow pages was banned back in 2012.
Say Goodbye to the Yellow Pages
Saying goodbye to the yellow pages is proving harder for some. We’ve talked to many business owners who got their start by placing ads in phone books, but now realize it’s not working like it used to. If you’re asking yourself what to do now that the yellow pages are on the decline, take a lesson from other business owners.
Here are two scenarios that we’re seeing more and more:
1. Business owners eliminate Yellow Pages and other phone book advertising altogether. They see growth stagnate, and at times even a steady decline in business, since customers are now practically unable to find them.
OR
2. Business owners replace their Yellow Pages and other phone book advertising with SEO, digital advertising, inbound marketing or some other form of online marketing. They see a steady increase in business, since their exposure increases exponentially.The Internet vs. The Yellow Pages
The Internet has forever changed marketing.
It’s important to understand that the internet hasn’t replaced the yellow pages, it’s created a new standard for purchase decision making.
In the age of the yellow pages, we looked at listings, ads and coupons. We picked up the phone and called the one that caught our attention the most.
The Internet created a new standard by placing every bit of information into the buyer’s hands. It’s not just about a listing and a nice advertising with a coupon anymore. Today’s buyer can read your most recent customer reviews, look at which of their friends have done business with you on Facebook and learn all about your most recent acts in the community by Googling your company name.
How do you adapt to this new standard as a business owner?
- 1. Recognize that marketing has changed and the old methods will never work the same way again.
- 2. Use online marketing to your advantage by creating and owning your space. This could be social media, a website, a Google listing, a Yelp listing and more.
- 3. Research and learn about your options for online marketing, or talk to a professional who can help you make the transition.
- 4. Create an online marketing plan & get started.
PRO TIP Even if you don’t post anything to Facebook or have a website, you should claim your space. This prevents your competitors or disgruntled customers from impersonating your business online. In other words, even if you’re a wallflower, you should at least show up at the party for appearance’s sake.
To learn more about engaging in online marketing, check out our blog post, How To Make a Successful Inbound Marketing Campaign or schedule a free, non-sales, no obligation, no credit card required marketing consultation. We’ll give you some actionable suggestions to get started with your online marketing.
In the meantime, if you’re looking for some creative uses for those old phone books, other than adding height to other decor above your cabinets, here are a few:
- Turn that old phonebook into a unique pen/pencil organizer.
- Turn those black and white pages into a pretty awesome dress.
- Transform your phonebook into a magical spell book for the kids or for Halloween.
- Create a work of art. Although text heavy, it’s a poster.
