Posted by Michelle/AL on 5/29/09 9:16am
Msg #290263

Yellow Pages Advertisement

I wish there was a way to link all the posts regarding Yellow Pages. I'm posting this now because I've seen a few posts over the past weeks.

Before I purchased my ad in the Yellow Pages, the sales rep warned me, “Once your ad is listed, you will never have control over your cell phone again”. She wasn’t joking. By listing your phone number in the phonebook, you are opening yourself up to the world. The solicitation calls to my cell phone quadrupled. All the local fundraisers will call you, schools, charities, churches, associations, and the list goes on. Hang up on them and they’ll just call you back.

Then there are residents in your community who will call you just to get your opinion about something having nothing to do with notary work.

I definitely would not recommend placing an ad until you’ve been in the business for awhile and are certain that you will remain in it for the long-haul. Listing your number on the do-not-call list (after it’s been listed in the phone book) won’t get you the results you want.

Has the ad brought me more business? Yes, but at a hefty price: Yellow Pages fee + cell phone minutes wasted by solicitors + the energy it takes for me not to lose my call during each solicitation call – the notary fees paid by legitimate calls = ??? Some months it’s worth it, other months it isn’t.

Whatever you decide to do, I suggest you contact the Yelllow Pages sooner than later. I believe their deadline is in the fall.

Reply by Linda_H/FL on 5/29/09 9:31am
Msg #290269

Yellowpages.com = no crank calls...:) n/m

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/29/09 12:52pm
Msg #290324

Re: Yellow Pages Advertisement - love your insight, Michelle n/m

Reply by LKT/CA on 5/29/09 1:46pm
Msg #290331

<<<The solicitation calls to my cell phone quadrupled......All the local fundraisers will call you, schools, charities, churches, associations, and the list goes on. Hang up on them and they’ll just call you back.>>>

With me, solicitors would not get past the first 15 seconds, I would interrupt them and say: "I am only accepting calls for notary service requests...have a nice day...goodbye"....CLICK!

I wouldn't waste 30 seconds of my cell's "anytime" minutes, though we are charged for a full minute. What happened to you with your yellowpage ad happened to me with craigslist, only I wasn't bombarded with phone call solicitations but email solicitations - even though I checked the box "It is NOT ok to contact this member with commercial interests" (or whatever the message stated). So what I did was remove my website and email and only put my cell number with a message that said "Only accepting calls for notary service requests. I will immediately hang up on any call that is not a notary service request."

Had no problems with solicitors since I put that. Though you probably wouldn't want to put that in a yellowpage print ad.

Reply by BrendaTx on 5/29/09 2:45pm
Msg #290346

*With me, solicitors would not get past the first 15 seconds, I would interrupt them and say: "I am only accepting calls for notary service requests...have a nice day...goodbye"....CLICK! *

Since I went on a plan that has unlimited minutes I have answered the solicitation calls and then once they start their pitch I lay the phone down by the television or my keyboard while I am typing. It doesn't fix anything but it makes me happy to realize I am wasting their time rather than vice versa. I hear them say, "Hello??? Are you there?" I like that. Of course, I'm a little bit mean...and maybe you're not...so it might not be so much fun for you.

Reply by Michelle/AL on 5/29/09 6:34pm
Msg #290396

Brenda, I must be your evil twin. I wouldn't dare

post all the other tactics I use to retaliate against solicitors. Today I did put the phone down and went about my business. I did get some pleasure from that.

Reply by jba/fl on 5/29/09 6:40pm
Msg #290398

Re: Brenda, I must be your evil twin. I wouldn't dare

I have many such tricks I use as well as just hanging up. Depends on my mood, amt. of time I have to mess with them and such. Yeah, fun times in Orlando! Whoo hoo!