Does anyone use the yellow pages anymore?

My account rep is trying to hammer me out of 100k To advertise in about 14 different books around Chicago. I told him phone books are dead and would even consider spend 20k to advertise in 14 books. How bad will this hurt business. And I want to hear from people of all ages and backgrounds, Not just young people and ad executives.

I still do on occasion but I'm looking for something specific. Rarely do I look for something general like auto parts stores. Usually I lost a business' number and need to find it quick.

I use the yellow pages to search out establishment's numbers like restaurants and companies needed for times open or to make repairs on items that need fixing for the 1st time/under warranty and are local for me. On line, you never know where they are located and/or how far away from you. Check airline info from numbers in the book too....sometimes you need to find a company name to research on the net to see if you want to deal with them too...not all people have a home computer.

I've only come to associate the Yellow Pages with headaches.

Just last week, I tried ordering takeout from a menu listed in it and my total was far more than advertised. I got a long spiel from the guy who took my order about 'they charged us a lot of money for that ad and they listed the wrong prices, heh, heh."

I've also tried to call for a taxi in my town to get me to the train station and of the 7 numbers listed,

A- 2 were disconnected
B- 1 was some other business
C- 2 rang endlessly
D- 2 very hastily shouted 'we don't go to that area'. Click.

I just recognize it as a big-*** list of seedy businesses and it's like the YB people don't bother to update it. The day after the damn book came out I called a number for a locksmith only to find it was the number of some other listing and that they had that number for 17 months, wtf?

Did u know that 80% of people use the internet for searching online for local information! Thats a lot - imagine if you spent a 100K using that for local search online.

I would love to spend your money on Search Engine Marketing. $20k could get you SOOOO far.

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I WAS A YELLOW PAGE REP FOR 25 YEARS!
so I will give you the straight answer.

I am now retired and still do some consulting. But I helped make some of my accounts millions off the directory.
It depends on several things, in no particular order:

1. The type of product or service you have to offer.
2. Your location or locations
3. The headings and directories: how many of each
4. Targeting the ideal customer
5. Your budget
6. The ad design: does it have all the key elements?
7. The tracking method: You MUST have one to measure results.
8. The ROI, or return on investment
9. The prior research into the competition and industry statistics
10. Tie-ins to other media

If your rep hasn't worked on all these aspects, they are not servicing your account. Demand to have all these covered. Its' their job. I should know. I was a top salesman for many years. In spite of the Internet and other media, the Yellow Pages still have a powerful impact and cannot be ignored. If you do, you are allowing your competition an advantage. You didn't mention your business. If it's a service such as repair, insurance, or professional, i.e. dentist, chiropractor, then the Yellow Pages are a must.
I happened to have also written a best-selling book on amazon about my years in the directory world and 10 chapters on how to get the most out of a Yellow Page ad while saving money. This would be essential for anyone who is advertising in the Yellow Pages and it tells you stuff your rep won't. It's less than 20 bucks.
Go to: http://www.poweradbook.com
Even if you don't want the book, listen to my advice. I've also written dozens of articles on Yellow Page advertising.

Just go to: http://ezinearticles.com/?expert=Jeffrey_Hauser

No, the phone books are not dead by any means.
But spend your money wisely and make sure your rep earns every penny.
Best of Luck.

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I'm in my mid-40's and own a small business (4 employees). The only thing we use the yellow pages book for is to stack them under my PC monitor so it is more at my eye level.

I use yellow pages and the computer yellow pages. But there are people in more mature ages who actually don't use a computer. I think looking at the appeal and easy-read of the yellow pages, rather than a full page might be a nice compromise.

But remember when people come to town, i.e., visitors, they only have the yellow pages at the hotel room or payphone to find a business.

Remember the expression ---- penny wise and pound foolish!

Sure people use the yellow pages, I looked up something in them just yesterday, but I look up 30 or 40 more times the information online. Put the equivalent of a business card or some simple listing, it ads credibility, but spend that on other forms of advertising, including for sure, online info portals that will drive interested parties to some exposure ads or listing rankings.

Contrary to popular opinion, yellow pages continue to be an effective advertising medium. Making your website search engine friendly and using sound engagement strategies is also extremely useful

I use the Yellow Pages online.

no - all internet and 411 now - only old people do -

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