To yell or not?

[matt the cat]

Hi looking for some advice please, ive been a mobile dj for 4 years now but ive never advertised before as all my work comes from recomendations but im considering paying for a business card sized advert in the yellow pages, i just wondered how effective this kind of advertising is? :confused:

[UltraBeat Entertainment]

Waste of money i think. it was £300/£400 per year when i last checked. It's not cheap!

[Vectis]

If you're happy to take last-minute £100 bookings, go for it.

There are (typically) two types of folks who hire DJs from the YP. Those who want to pay peanuts, and those who've been let down or left it too late and they're in a panic.

IMCO anyways...

[Mayhem 1]

Very true Vectis and Spud Mate,

Been there, done that, got the bills.

Never again :thumbs_down:

[matt the cat]

Hmm cheers guys i think i will reconsider, its free to just have my name and number in so i think i,l stick to that:)

[ppentertainments]

very true - lots of enquiries but few actual bookings.
Its funny but most my race night bookings come from YP and people never quibble about the price for them.
Personally I would just stick with a freebie ad. I have a paid yell.com ad but get nothing for discos other than wasted enquiries.

[Have a disco]

Actually testing how effective or non effective Yell.com/ yellow pages are this year. Did just the freebie ad year before last, then done a small boxed advert which worked well £141.00, this year I have gone for the website linkage to the advert as well as being on the website and in the book about £750 in total will give final conclusions at the end of the year???? I am doing the trial and error thing as to speak guys

[yourdj]

Yell.com is good as they provide a link to your website. i have all my prices on the website so you don't get as many idiot saying ive only got £150. Did yellow pages too and you do get people who just go for the best price. They will systematically go through a list of good looking adds. Phone manner helps and friendly persuasion.

Also depends on where you live too. I find the people in the New Forest do not mind paying more for quality whereas southampton they are all cheap skates.

[HaiFai]

Been with yellow pages for three years now and had plenty of bookings through them but as already said a lot of enquiries I get are people expecting a Disco for £80-£100.

[DazzyD]

I'm in a very different situation. I opted to take 2 1/4-column ads out in this years Yellow Pages. One was in the Discos - Mobile section and one in the Weddings - Entertainment section. It turned out that we were the only disco to have a graphics ad in the wedding section which was definitely to our advantage. I had YP do the graphics (very eye-catching white on black) and the price came to £598. At the last count we've taken about £3,500 in 5 months based on this ad so it works for us.

Whilst I'd agree with Martin that a lot of enquiries want cheaper discos this is not the case with all of them. I can get the prices I ask for (starting at £195) but I've got previous sales experience and this goes a long way. Also, there are a few last minute bookings (doing one tomorrow night - only booked in on Wednesday) and these can command good money as well.

As long as you know what you want, and don't be pressured in to buying more advertising than is necessary, Yell can work for you. It's definitely part of our advertising strategy for next year and we haven't even finalised that budget yet!

[dj wayne]

Hello i find yellow pages does pay for it self each year i tried yell.com and found it a complete waste of time but i did not have a link to my site it was a lot more money maybe should have done looking back on it now.

regards

wayne

www.Andersonentertainments.co.uk

[nigelwright7557]

Hi looking for some advice please, ive been a mobile dj for 4 years now but ive never advertised before as all my work comes from recomendations but im considering paying for a business card sized advert in the yellow pages, i just wondered how effective this kind of advertising is? :confused:

I pay £10 a month for mine and had almost no replies to it.

I find people seem to look on the internet now so its best to get yourself a website and get on as many free disco directories as possible.

Try and put your card up in as many local businesses as possible.

Dont forget to submit your website to Google and Yahoo.
There are free submit URL sites which are useful.

[rob1963]

I find people seem to look on the internet now so its best to get yourself a website and get on as many free disco directories as possible.

I agree, but don't just restrict yourself to the free directories.

The ones I do best from are NOT free, but not that expensive either.

The vast majority of sites charge between about £5 and £25 a year, which will hardly break the bank.

You can get some ideas here:
http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=248423&postcount=3

[Solitaire Events Ltd]

I agree, but don't just restrict yourself to the free directories.

The ones I do best from are NOT free, but not that expensive either.

The vast majority of sites charge between about £5 and £25 a year, which will hardly break the bank.

You can get some ideas here:
http://www.mobilediscodirectory.co.uk/forums/showpost.php?p=248423&postcount=3

Good list there Rob - I used it yesterday for a few sites I haven't found before. There are 3-4 that don't exist anymore though. Nice one.:)

[rob1963]

Good list there Rob - I used it yesterday for a few sites I haven't found before. There are 3-4 that don't exist anymore though. Nice one.:)

Thanks Darren.

They are mostly the sites I'm on, and a few more I've found but not got around to using yet.

I thought some people might find it useful...certainly a bit quicker than googling!

:)