Ad Prices for Yellow Pages

[Nichols]

Elwood,
Yeah, the "trade listing" will be in-column, with a bold header for "PIANO 
TECHNICIANS GUILD". Then "Registered Members" and "Associate Members". Take 
the time to educate your ad rep. Double check the guidelines.  Promote the 
trade listing to any other chapter members, RPT or Associate. The more that 
participate, the better the image to the public. Mine are in two books, and 
before the "misprint" discount, were only about 200 bucks a year. Not bad, 
considering. It is funny how many people call and say they had to "hunt" 
for a tuner, but..... oh well. Readin' -n- ritin' ain't what they used to 
was, is dey?

Later,
Guy


At 11:03 PM 3/23/2005 -0600, you wrote:
>Hey Guy,
>I think the trade listing is what I use.  I need to add RPT to that, for
>that matter.  Thanks for the suggestion.
>Joy!
>Elwood
>
>Elwood Doss, Jr., RPT
>Piano Technician/Technical Director
>Department of Music
>145 Fine Arts Building
>University of Tennessee at Martin
>Martin, TN  38238
>731-881-1852
>----- Original Message -----
>From: "Nichols" <nicho@zianet.com>
>To: "Pianotech" <pianotech@ptg.org>
>Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 7:35 PM
>Subject: Re: Ad Prices for Yellow Pages
>
>
> > Elwood,
> >     Advertising the "RPT" designation is a good thing for the industry,
> > even if readers don't have the foggiest notion of the import. The
>directory
> > can offer a "trade listing" under "Piano Tuning", and it establishes
> > credibility without the cost of a display ad. Very economical in most
> > markets. Trade listings are like dealers have for example: "Yamaha Pianos"
> > or "Chevrolet Automobiles" in bold with italic "authorized dealers" in the
> > column. I've used trade listings for years, even when I "owned" the page
> > years ago with sales, service, moving, refinishing, renting, etc. The ad
> > reps kept coming up with "free" listings until we ran out of categories.
> >    Ironically, the new book here just came out, and the new rep screwed-up
> > and put me in the trade listing under "Associate Members". So... one short
> > phone call, and my ad is free until next March. Oh well.
> >    Ultimately, I believe an unlisted phone number is an enviable goal.
>When
> > you think about it, at some point you should have plenty of business by
> > sheer momentum.
> >    On the other hand.... a trade listing DOES increase awareness of the
> > Guild, and I think we should all attempt to aid that effort.
> >    Comments about self-promotion to the public are right on, also, but as
> > far as Yellow print ads, I'd suggest asking about the trade listing. You
> > should also check out the Guild Advertising Guidelines, of course.
> > Non-negotiable.
> >
> > Good fortune on ya!,
> > Guy Nichols, RPT
> > Trade Relations Committee, PTG
> >
> >
> >
> >
> >
> > At 11:31 AM 3/23/2005 -0600, you wrote:
> > >I advertise in the regional phone book (independent) and have a listing
> > >under "Piano Tuners."  I pay $125 for the listing (rural area) which
>covers
> > >4 counties in a two-state area.  I get several calls each year for those
> > >looking for someone to tune their pianos.  I am contemplating going to a
> > >display ad primarily to advertise the "RPT" designation.  To me that's
> > >important and says something about my work provided people know what it
> > >means.  I do make a little money on the present ad but to double the cost
> > >would not bring in much more if any business, but would be primarily an
> > >educational endeavor.  If we don't advertise PTG and the RPT designation
>it
> > >will mean nothing to the customer.  At the same time, a number of my
> > >customers are pleased that I have that designation and work on their
>pianos.
> > >I have considered writing some articles on piano tuning/maintenance/RPT
> > >designation and taking them to the local newspapers and seeing if they
>would
> > >publish them--primarily for educational reasons.  I worked to become an
>RPT
> > >for myself, but I think it benefits the customer also.
> > >
> > >Joy!
> > >Elwood
> > >
> > >Elwood Doss, Jr., RPT
> > >Piano Technician/Technical Director
> > >Department of Music
> > >145 Fine Arts Building
> > >University of Tennessee at Martin
> > >Martin, TN  38238
> > >731-881-1852
> > >----- Original Message -----
> > >From: "Doug Renz Piano Tuning / Repair" <pianotuner@frontiernet.net>
> > >To: <pianotech@ptg.org>
> > >Sent: Wednesday, March 23, 2005 9:42 AM
> > >Subject: Ad Prices for Yellow Pages
> > >
> > >
> > > > I am trying to plan for yellow page ads for next years phone book and
> > > > trying to see if the price quoted is "average".
> > > >
> > > > $125 a month for a 16th page display graphic ad.
> > > >
> > > > $80 a month for 1 inch text ad in main section and 1 free in
>"suburban"
> > > > section.
> > > >
> > > > I heard on the list that a yellow page ad should cost no more than 1
> > > > tuning. Is this true or just a guideline?
> > > >
> > > > This  yellow page ad reaches a large city of 1.2 million residents.
> > > >
> > > > The sales person said that graphic display ad's get more calls but I'm
> > > > not sure if yellow page ads work as well as "word of mouth,
>networking"
> > > > advertising.
> > > >
> > > > What do you think?
> > > >
> > > > Doug Renz
> > > > Associate PTG
> > > > pianotuner@frontiernet.net
> > > >
> > > >
> > >
> > >_______________________________________________
> > >pianotech list info: https://www.moypiano.com/resources/#archives
> >
> >
> >