15 Tips for Better Yellow Page Ads

Yellow Pages advertising is one of the most popular forms of advertising in the country today. Almost every home in America (96.9%) and business has at least one copy of "the book".

Almost three out of five (58%) of all adults say they check the Yellow Pages for a phone number and/or address at least once per week, with 77% using the book monthly.

While the Yellow Pages are an excellent reference tool, they fare less well when considered as an advertising medium.

Here are 15 ways to make their yellow pages more effective.

1 - People looking in the Yellow Pages are ready to buy right now. So the challenge is to make the prospect see your ad first.

2 - Don't sell them your type of product or service, but sell them on the benefits of your business.

3 - Sell them why they should call you and nobody else.

4 - You don't need thick borders or extra cost color, the yellow pages people offer that to everyone. Look how many are on every page.

5 - The key to a sizzling Yellow Pages ad is to sell your services in print. It's about standing out by offering the solution to their problem in a way that your competitors can't match. The key is the headline.

6 - Put a headline on your ad that sells your benefits and assures the prospect will read your ad. If you have a hard hitting headline that projects a strong benefit and relates to the needs of your prospect, half the work is done. Some headlines that help you do that include:

"How to xxxxx"

"6 reasons why ..."

"Before you xxxxx 6 factors to consider"

The rest of your ad should expand on the benefits you've presented in your headline and show specific ways you'll help your prospect fulfill their needs.

7 - Finish by spelling out your instructions. Writing "Call us now on xxx xxxx" you'll get more responses than you would if you simply listed a phone number.

8 - Write like you talk Inject your personality into everything you write. No-one wants to read boring and stuffy legal-ease.

9 - Use short sentences and words. Use simple language

10 - Use the word 'you'

11 - Avoid Bragging - Don't boast "biggest and best". It turns people off, even if it is true.

12 - If you have a guarantee, spell it out. A guarantee will make your credibility skyrocket

13 - Find a way to make the prospect an enticing offer. Including an offer in your telephone directory ad will dramatically boost responses. It gives your prospect a reason to call you ahead of anyone else.

14 - Remember that every business (with a business telephone) will be in the yellow pages, free, in the listings.

15 - The only thing color has been proven to do in Yellow Pages advertising is increase the price you pay for the ad.

Remember, the Yellow Pages is generally a reference tool. Design your ad accordingly

©2005 BIG Mike McDaniel All Rights Reserved Mike@BIGIdeasGroup.com BIG Mike is a Professional Speaker and Small Business Consultant with over 30 years experience, http://BIGIdeasGroup.com

Subscribe to "BIG Mike's BIG Ideas" Newsletter MailTo:subscribe-956603364@ezinedirector.net

---

Why Hire an Advertising/Marketing Consultant?

As a business owner, you have the option of taking... Read More

A Quick And Easy Way Of Getting More Customers From Every Single Ad You Write... Guaranteed!

FACT: Most people don't spend anywhere near enough time on... Read More

Advertising on a Budget -- Part 2: Thinking Small

This is the second article of a three-part series. I'm... Read More

Classified Ads That Get Results

Classified ads do not have the big market appeal that... Read More

How To Make A Fortune With FREE Advertising!

How To Gain FREE Advertising That Will Make You Rich!Okay-Just... Read More

Customer-Involving Signage and Selling

Here's some easy ways to create signage that will attract,... Read More

What are Text Adverts?

Not everyone is aware of what are text adverts? Text... Read More

13 Facts About Newspaper Advertising

Advertising in the paper works for many people in business.... Read More

For All Those People Who Struggle With Benefits and Features

For Everyone Who Has Ever Struggled Sorting Out Benefits From... Read More

How Can All the Radio Stations Be #1?

Are you confused by all the information you receive from... Read More

The TV Shoot, The Spoiled Brat, And A Painful Lesson

It was two days before our shoot. I was in... Read More

What Makes Advertising Successful?

MANY INDIVIDUAL ELEMENTS COME INTO PLAY MAKING A SUCCESSFUL AD:... Read More

Why I Like The Ads I Hate!

It's been said that the antidote to liking/loving is not... Read More

10 Ways to Advertise Your Business For Free!

At some point many small business owners are left with... Read More

More Cheap Tricks for Promoting Your Business

In a recent article, I shared five of my top... Read More

Joint Ventures Increase Profits Quickly

A joint venture is when two or more businesses join... Read More

The Principle Of Advertising Online

Advertising online is very similar to advertising in any environment.... Read More

Placemat Ad Advertising

Starting a placemat ad business can create more business for... Read More

Do Your Business Cards Say Who You REALLY Are?

Here are a couple of tips for creating an eye... Read More

The Secrets of High Money Classified Ads

When used effectively, classified ads can be one of the... Read More

Trade Writing - For Cash!

Often considered as "plain Jane's" of the print world, trade... Read More

The Importance of Your Business Card

What are you trying to say with you business card?We... Read More

Diamonds Are For Evil

The task of executing successful advertising campaigns for products made... Read More

Ads Dont Sell - People Do !

More about advertising by BIG Mike McDanielAdvertising is not a... Read More

Womentisements

The unnecessary and extensive use of female models in advertisements... Read More

Just What Are Consumers Thinking?

Research would indicate that consumers don't know what they're thinking.... Read More

The Power of...

You certainly must know that Many Big Marketers consider COPYWRITING... Read More

Media Savvy - How To Manage Your Time To Gain The Best Media Coverage

Did you know generating positive media coverage is four times... Read More

Consider These Pressing Facts Before You Renew Your Yellow Page Ad

Your Yellow Page Ad Deserves More than 10 Minutes of... Read More

Why Your Ad Failed

So you spent good money on an ad, put it... Read More

A Lunchtime Lesson on Print Advertising

I promise you'll be able to finish this article before... Read More

How to Get People to Read Your Ads Like CRAZY!

Rule One :- The HeadlineThe headline should summarize the whole... Read More

Secrets to Get Free Advertising

The opportunities to get free advertising for your product or... Read More