A couple years ago, my company was called: Donahue the Sign Man. Then, In an effort to sound like I do work with visual impact, I changed it to Focal Point Signs & Graphics. I got NO CALLS. I admit, the new name might be lame, I don't know, but I'm wondering if it has to do with being farther away from the beginning of the listings???
I used to get desparate calls from people asking if I stll did hand lettering, as everyone they called doesn't. So this year I embarked on what has yet to be shown as brilliant strategy by moving the name over to graphic designers, and simply having "hand lettering" in the sign section, with my phone number. Still no calls. I realize what time of year it is.
So the question is: does alphabetical placement amount to anything??? Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
you could rename it to A FOCAL POINT SIGNS.....my company name is A SIGN MINT, so i fall in the 1st 5 sign names in the alpha listing. i think it helps....i get calls from all kinda people for signs. some i cant do anything for and most who use the phone book want a price....and i never hear from them again
Posted by Steve Eisenreich (Member # 1444) on :
A ton of people do beleive placement is everything that is why you always see AAAAAAA carpet cleaning and such. I personally avoid companies named in that manner but all things being the same if price shopping or just looking for someone to do something it only makes sence that you start somewhere in the phone book instead of jumping around in the phonebook.
Posted by old paint (Member # 549) on :
and most people will agree with you steve, and do AVOID AAA, AA+ or AAAA in front of names....my name starts with the A....as in ASIGNMENT.... so it not just an add on. if yuo do that then people are more apt to see it as it is.....
Posted by Karen O'Connell (Member # 2593) on :
Sometimes, folks don't even look at the alphabetical listing in the phone book when looking for a supplier. They open to the specific heading, and then look for the smaller "box" ads that businesses buy in addition to their regular listing for who to call. Potentional customers like to be informed before calling and they also think that if you can afford the bigger ad, you offer a better product. It seems to be part of our "needs met in an instant" society. By providing the ad, you take the work out of them having to actually peruse the abc listing. I think it's more in perception than placement.
Posted by Si Allen (Member # 420) on :
One disadvantage to being at, or near the top of the YP ads list is that you get all the 'Tire Kickers"!!!!
After you spend the time figuring out what they need and discuss design and prices, they say " OK, I'll get back to you!".... and then proceed to call anothe 5 shops, and go with the one that quotes the lowest price.
Maybe that's why I dumped the YPs! Welllll, one of the reasons!
Posted by Kimberly Zanetti (Member # 2546) on :
My father's business used to be called Al Zanetti Signs or something like that. He was usually first in the phone book. Well, NOTHING ****ed him off more than people calling and asking...:Uh, how much does a sign cost?"
Very quickly, he changed the name to Zanetti Sign & Design...(or something close to that)
No more tire kickers.
Posted by Bill Modzel (Member # 22) on :
A word of advice. Don't ever hyphenate your name. You never know in what order it is going to show up in the phone book.
Posted by jake snow (Member # 5889) on :
To heck with phone book Jimmy D! With your talent, you should be marketing to the "special" people that want hand lettering. We both know of one "location" around here that keeps us pretty biz at times. (Just don't go takin it all! I still gotta paint to )
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