Hi Ya Shy, Boy did you get the shaft from the yellow pages! Are there any alternative yellow pages in the area? If so maybe they have more frequent publish dates. Out here in CA we have several yellow page companies, no owns the rights to the term "yellow pages". Try attending as many local business related orgs in your area as possible. The local CofC for city and counties close to you are a good source for names/contacts. Local professional womens groups are also a good source. Do you have a local business related newspaper? If so find out about ads there. They are expensive unless you run a long term ad. Try to avoid straight across trades (images for space) unless they will place you high in the publication and really push your ability/images. See about a local venue to have a show of your work. A library or maybe city hall could have decent foot traffic. Along with that you can have an "opening night" and invite the movers and shakers to it and see who shows up. Plant News releases regarding the show and the opening night in the newspapers to do area. I have tried business cards, post cards, websites, word of mouth, flyers and brochures placed at various venues. If you have any make-up artists, or stylists you have worked with make sure that they give out your cards and kick them a discount or a spiff % of the shoot if you actually book the shoot. Same thing w/ current and former clients. Also make sure that you always have business cards handy so that you can self promote as much as possible. Shameless self promotion is the hallmark Of the very best. I hope this helps, If you make it to the big time I want a percentage <vbg> Les Baldwin -----Original Message----- From: owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx [mailto:owner-photoforum@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx] On Behalf Of shy_mel_photo@xxxxxxxx Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 9:06 AM To: List for Photo/Imaging Educators - Professionals - Students Subject: Unbelievable! I need advertising help! I'm not sure you guys are going to believe this... Last years telephone book published my business in the yellow pages with my OLD number, so I didn't get any business last year. This year I was supposed to have a paid add the size of a business card and guess what... My add was left out completely! Someone had canceled my add without my authorization and NO ONE would admit who had done it! Even though I'm supposedly getting a free add in next years yellow pages, that does not help me this year. Now my question: How do I advertise my business for this year? I've thought about the business add section of the newspaper, but that doesn't seem like it would work very well. Now I'm thinking of an advertised exhibit on my property (which is big enough for a small fair). How do 'all' of you get the word out about your businesses aside from the yellow pages? What can I do? Thanks, Shyrell Melara Photography Jonesville, North Carolina http://yadtel.net/~jmelara
