Trade directories.Aaaarrgghhh

[scrag]

Hi guys. This is my first time on here and hope some of you may help me with my dillema. Keep getting calls to join different trade directories, different rates, different charges etc etc. Not got much work on and it is very tempting. Any thoughts or suggestions would be most appreciated.

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[green-hornet]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

What you have to remember is that all these companies are out for one thing only and that is their own interests.

A customer base is built over many years and comes mainly from word of mouth.

I have survived for the last 4 years without any adverts just simply on reccomendations only.

I have had the usual phone calls with promises of 20 leads per week etc etc.

What you also have to bear in mind is that the leads over the internet are 90% window shopping.

I am sorry but lets face it how many of the users of this forum have used the internet to find a guide price then gone elsewhere with a loaded knowledge of what you could get it for?

If you can afford the extra charges and remain competative then any leads you get can only be a good thing. However if you are in difficult times then use your money more effective and get local work through local advertisements.Local free press, local newspapers and if you walk into a property that is an absolute deathtrap through some un qualified electrician tell your local paper you have a story for them, give them the facts and get some good pr and free advert in the process.

 

[scrag]

Yeah. Agree with everything you say. The problem I have is that we need more new business as our client base has slowed down. We have an excellent reputation and very happy customers and have always got work through referalls and nothing else. Will get back to this tomorrow and do some more homework I think. Cheers

 

[M107]

I wouldnt bother cost you a packet for little return.

Just do the local rags (my local paper called today offering 20 lines of wording for

 

[Theorysparky]

I wouldnt bother cost you a packet for little return.Just do the local rags (my local paper called today offering 20 lines of wording for

 

[Theorysparky]

Also by having an advert in your local mags you get all the people wanting to build you a website

F off with that....

 

[sparkyrj]

Hi, i had an ad in the thompson local for a year and used to ask customers where they found my number, and i found that most calls came from a free listing on Yell.com rather than the paid ad.

 

[Evans Electric]

Local paper , as said above . Sign write your van. Ignore calls from Police magazine, fire service , also BT except its not BT as in British Telecom although they say it is, its not. Local Yellow pages... well .. .. its said that people look at the begining of the section, so all the sparks with A , B or C and then look at all the quarter and half pagers ( the ones that cost

 

[green-hornet]

Have you ever thought of placing your advert in different sections of the local paper?

For example gardening section:-

Registered electrician avilable for deck lighting, outside power and lighting, pond features etc etc.

Time of year is good as summer is approaching.

Kitchen Fitters/ Joiners:-

Electrician available for kitchen extentions sockets moved fully certified and notified under part p.

Just to give you some ideas.

 

[Theorysparky]

Have you ever thought of placing your advert in different sections of the local paper?For example gardening section:-

Registered electrician avilable for deck lighting, outside power and lighting, pond features etc etc.

Time of year is good as summer is approaching.

Kitchen Fitters/ Joiners:-

Electrician available for kitchen extentions sockets moved fully certified and notified under part p.

Just to give you some ideas.

liking those,,,not looked at it that way

 

[mcgaw81]

Have you ever thought of placing your advert in different sections of the local paper?For example gardening section:-

Registered electrician avilable for deck lighting, outside power and lighting, pond features etc etc.

Time of year is good as summer is approaching.

Kitchen Fitters/ Joiners:-

Electrician available for kitchen extentions sockets moved fully certified and notified under part p.

Just to give you some ideas.

Like it!!!

Applaud SmileyApplaud Smiley

 

[scrag]

Thank for the suggestions guys. Some good idea's there. Will try some of those. Any of you based in Torbay, South Devon. Its my first week on this forum and its very positive. I like it.Cant get on the laptop often but will be making the effort from now on.

 

[a1]

Thank for the suggestions guys. Some good idea's there. Will try some of those. Any of you based in Torbay, South Devon. Its my first week on this forum and its very positive. I like it.Cant get on the laptop often but will be making the effort from now on.

Great to hear, Scrag.

You are Welcome to advertise completely Free on here too.

The link is in my signature, Below.

 

[Robojin]

I wouldnt bother cost you a packet for little return.Just do the local rags (my local paper called today offering 20 lines of wording for

 

[Robojin]

Thank for the suggestions guys. Some good idea's there. Will try some of those. Any of you based in Torbay, South Devon. Its my first week on this forum and its very positive. I like it.Cant get on the laptop often but will be making the effort from now on.

Well ABC Technical is down your neck of the woods, but seems work has gone sour for him lately and he's pulled out