Topic author: Bob Newey
Subject: Advertising
Posted on: 01 Dec 2005 22:27:42
Message:

I'm currently in the process of looking at next years advertising budget and am in conversation with the Yellow pages rep who is understandably trying to get me to spend a fortune!. I "pushed the boat out" last time as I wanted to give my new business the best kick start possible, and I'd be interested to hear what you lot find the best. Here's a summary of how I got on:-

YELLOW PAGES(2 areas) Did exceptionally well with domestics in my area but not so well in the other one. Feedback from customers indicated that they liked the fact that I was local. Didn't get as many enquiries from businesses as I'd hoped from it.

YELL.COM Not bad but not as good as I'd hoped. I reasoned that businesses would use this more than YP because most office people sit at or near a computer at work and probably can't be ar*ed to look for the YP book or can't find it.When I get round to doing a website and attaching a link it hopefully will do better.

BUSINESS PAGES A complete wast of space so far (after 6 months) I've had only 2 calls, although both resulted in work one of which was quite a big job but not enough to cover the cost of the advert yet. I was hoping I'd get more commercial based work from this.

BT DIRECTORY 4 months in and I've only covered about 30% of the cost so far.

118 24 7 - Didn't cost much but it hasn't produced much.

WORD OF MOUTH/RECOMENDATIONS - Quite good and better than expected. Naturally this is the best form of advertising, and the cheapest, but being new I've got to spread my name (and work) around a bit more in the 1st place in order to get the recomendations.

So what do you others find best, and are there any others that you find work. Also, do you use any of those internet search engine companies? I've a mistrust of these (from my experiences in my previous job in the haulage industry).

I'd be interested to hear how you all fair, particuarly from anyone who has tried the Business pages.

Replies:

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Reply author: pestech
Replied on: 01 Dec 2005 22:47:23
Message:

I find Yell.com quite effective, most of my work comes from that, as when somebody calls me i always ask where they found my number,my yellow pages (book advert) doesnt come out till march next year, ive had a mixed response from that from residentual and businesses/companys needing pest control services, i also use trades118 not had much of a response from that yet as ive only just placed the advert, theres also one called " touchlocal " which is a free net based advertising site, type it into google and you should find it, i also place my card in shop windows and do mail shots myself when im quiet to local letting agencies/pubs/resteraunts/soffit facia fitting companys ect, gonna get me a website done at some point, and link it to yell.com, its just a case of pulling me finger out and doing it

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Reply author: Editor
Replied on: 02 Dec 2005 02:25:52
Message:

I'm conscious that online advertising hasn't worked *yet* for pest control service businesses. Unfortunate because I have seen it make orders of magnitude differences to other industries. If someone is willing to do a case study, I�m interested in taking one business to promote F.O.C. for 3 months. Send me a creative idea for promoting your business and lets see if we can prove a point. One condition - you�re going to need to cover a fair area - at least north or south. interested? : [email protected]

Editor - www.pestcontrolportal.com

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Reply author: Fenn Man
Replied on: 02 Dec 2005 03:26:59
Message:

quote:

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Originally posted by Bob Newey

do you use any of those internet search engine companies? I've a mistrust of these (from my experiences in my previous job in the haulage industry).

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I believe there are free ones out there, Bob. Otherwise I wouldn't go near them. Pigeon sh!t.

I can't emphasise how important I think a web page is. Yes. I know; I haven't got one myself. But that's the first thing I'll be doing, once I sort my self out again

The way I see it; I personally hate those bloody directories. But I look for Everything on line first. What ever I want. This thing may lead me to the phone. But I Always look on here first. I think I'm a pretty average sort of person ...

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Reply author: Dusty
Replied on: 03 Dec 2005 03:19:39
Message:

For the past two years I have not used Yellow Pages at all. Dufferent country I know, but the telephone culture is the same. My business has grown at much the same rate as I have a huge word of mouth network. Have to admit that this past winter was a little slower than I had hoped so will probably place a miuch smaller YP ad in this coming book.
I offer a % discount to my clients if they refer a new client. That seems to be moderately successful.

Don't feed them, get Rid of them

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Reply author: pestech
Replied on: 05 Dec 2005 21:15:01
Message:

just to let you know Bob, about a month ago i done some mail shots, i wrote a draft letter explaining my company and what my aims are, sent them out to letting agency's, pubs, local councils,ect, got my first call out to a job today from one of my mail shots!! i only done about 40 in all so thats not bad considering it only cost me about 2 hours of my time and a book of second class stamps! woth thinking about mate when things get a little quiet!

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Reply author: pestech
Replied on: 06 Dec 2005 09:17:13
Message:

top idea that andy, might have to give that one a go meslelf!

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