Talking to the Yellow Pages
April 18, 2010
A few weeks ago, someone from the Yellow Pages phoned the office to ask if our free business listing was still accurate. If the street address was correct, if we were in the correct category. That sort of thing.
Just when I thought the conversation was over, the person excitedly asked me if we were interested in buying a display advertisement in the Yellow Pages print edition.
I politely declined. The remaining exchange went something like this:
Yellow Pages: “But sir, if you’re not advertising in the print Yellow Pages, how can potential customers find you?”
Me: “Word of mouth. Or they could use the Internet. Maybe run a search on Google.”
Yellow Pages: “But sir, Google lists thousands of companies similar to yours. You can’t differentiate yourself with Google.”
Me: “Our company usually shows up on the first page of results in every search phrase that matters to us. Google works great. And it’s free.”
Yellow Pages: “Sir, what if potential customers don’t have Internet access? How will they find you?”
Me: “If a person doesn’t have Internet, they’re probably not interested in being our customer.”
Yellow Pages: “Oh. I see. Thank you for your time.”
Me: “No problem.”
~click.
Comments
So funny. Welcome to the internet, Yellow Pages.
Travis Isaacs on April 20, 2010
I recently posted a classified ad in the Yukon News print edition using an email address instead of a contact telephone number. I also mused about adding a bit.ly or goo.gl shortened URL to a photo of the item to keep the whole thing under 30 words. Apparently I’ve discovered an alternate definition of “anachronism.”
I wonder what Yellow Pages would do if you said “yes, I’d like a large print ad in the directory, but instead of the telephone number, just link to our Facebook fan page.”
Dave Rogers on April 20, 2010
Dear Google,
You give people too many choices and you can’t be rolled up and used to smack somebody.
Ha ha ha,
The Yellow Pages
PS - People can’t even use you if they don’t have internet access, loser!
Michael Johnson on April 20, 2010
Travis - I think selling print ads for the Yellow Pages, in this day and age, would be a horrible job. Can you imagine the amount of regular rejection? Ouch.
Dave - You’re such a punk. Did the ad run with your email address intact?
MJ - You got me there, brotha. The print Yellow Pages still has many real world purposes.
Geof Harries on April 20, 2010
Ha ha! (to all of the above)
