February 6, 2010
Many kitchen and bath professionals are looking out their showroom windows wondering where all the customers are. I’ll give you a hint, with high gas prices and tight money they are shopping online. Right now, while you’re reading this blog someone, somewhere in your community is typing “kitchen design showroom” or “kitchen designer” or “new kitchen” into Google.
Let’s assume for a moment that you are among the top five or even among those on the first page of results (because I don’t want to talk about SEO) and a potential client clicks through to your website.
What happens next?
My intent is to toss out a handful of questions to consider… perhaps there is an “aha” moment lurking, or maybe you answer “yes” to everything, get bored and move onto another posting. So, I submit for your consideration…
- Are you happy with your website?
- Graphically, does it complement your brand? It is upscale enough for your client base or approachable enough for lower priced jobs?
- Is the font easy on the eyes? Is the type large enough for 50+ customers? Is there enough contrast between the font and the background?
- What are you saying? Will a customer get the feeling that you and your staff know what you are doing? Are you sharing enough of your professional background and expertise? Are you touting your affiliations and accreditations? Do you explain why each is a benefit to the homeowner?
- Do you carry the products they want? Do you list your manufacturers by name? Consumers know appliances, some know cabinetry… what if they Google “Viking Range in your city”? I know, I said no SEO talk… but humor me.
- Are you showing a broad range of style and room renovations? This is your life-blood… your portfolio of designs. Are you showing enough projects? Do you want befores and afters – not everyone does, do you? Will your visitors know that you do spaces other than kitchens and baths? Are you showing examples of bars, outdoor living spaces, laundry rooms, offices, etc?
- Can your visitors find your showroom? Are you using interactive maps? Is your email address or phone number on every page of your site?
- Are your testimonials current? Do they represent real people? Does the word “anonymous” at the end of testimonial negate the great things they say? Are they on every page? Should they be?
- Are you telling your customers enough to get them excited about contacting you, but not telling your competitors (who are also visiting your site) all your trade secrets…?
I hope you enjoyed this nosh of website food for thought… have a great week.
Visit www.KitchenMarketing.com for additional information.
Become a Fan of http://www.facebook.com/Zpromotion– just because ;-)
Leave a Comment » |
Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Kitchen and Bath Web Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen and bath integrated marketing, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: improved business, Integrated Marketing, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen design websites, kitchen industry websites, kitchen landing pages, kitchen marketing, kitchen showroom, kitchen website marketing, showroom marketing, web marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
January 23, 2010
Since I began this blog in earnest, my routine is to make sure I update it weekly. Usually my Saturday mornings are devoted to writing and positing, making my Fridays “what the hell am I going to say tomorrow?” day. Inevitably something comes across my desk, email, or phone giving me the “aha moment”. This week it was a request to review a kitchen and bath showroom print ad – what did I think of the creative and messaging – how could it be better?
Eureka! A topic. The ad, which I will NOT show, was “OK”… the message was concise and featured reasons to use this kitchen and bath professional; listing awards, guarantees, promises, showroom hours, a phone number and web address – oddly missing was the street address, but that may have been an oversight… we all make mistakes. Graphically, it showed photos of a kitchen, a bath, and an interaction with homeowners. Again, not bad – think classic color “yellow pages” ad.
So, my comments were more akin to questions.
Who is your target demographic? If it is men 40+, the ad could be effective. If you’re hoping to reach women, forget it – there was no emotional draw and the photos were too small to be inviting.
When you receive your creative (ads, commercials, etc) from your agency or media outlet, do a quick focus group among your target market. Example… if you’re male and your market is female – take a day or so to get the female perspective. I guarantee you’ll be surprised, if not shocked at how different the perception is. I can’t speak from the other side of the gender gap, but I can only guess the same applies.
It’s about your message.
What type of kitchen (or bath) are you selling? If you are in the luxury market (and there are still people buying in that market), you need to project that image. A “yellow pages” ad, with very few exceptions, does not. Take some time to review ads for Rolex, Lexus, Mercedes compared with Target, Wal-Mart, Timex, Chevy. We all know selling kitchens is “different”, but from a branding perspective, the luxury ads ooze high-end, exclusivity and quality, the others more of an “everyman” quality. Decide where you want to be and create the image that exploits it.
It’s about your brand.
Where are the ads featured? This is the heart of your marketing plan. Once you know your target market and have established your brand, advertise where your clients are likely to be. Your message and your brand mean bubkis (nothing), if your intended audience never sees it.
This is a critical time in your business life – every penny counts and your message must be on target. Kitchen and Bath Professionals must be more effective sales people (uggg, many of you just want to design)… and the only way sales are even a possibility is through marketing – and yes even if all your sales are from referrals, just imagine how many more you might have if you marketed to your referrals –NOT ALL MARKETING IS [PAID] ADVERTISING… perhaps that’s for next week!
As always, leave your comments, call me (919-932-4600) or email me with your thoughts and ideas.
Leave a Comment » |
Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Media Buying, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen and bath integrated marketing, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: improved business, Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen marketing, kitchen sales, kitchen showroom, marketing recession, media buys, showroom marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
January 16, 2010
This past week I was speaking with a kitchen and bath professional who recently vacated the showroom she had occupied for years. She was in the process of finalizing on a new smaller location with less overhead. The move is emblematic of the new reality.
The industry is evolving as your customers’ spending habits are changing. Most experts agree that the days of indiscriminate luxury spending have come to an end. Homeowners are still remodeling, but in a more conservative fashion… will you still sell high-end kitchens and spa bathrooms? Absolutely. Will you sell as many? Doubtful.
But I am not an economist, nor do I play one on TV… I am just a marketing guy making you aware of the rare opportunity you have to totally redefine yourself to your market, especially if you fall into any of these categories… (to paraphrase, and with apologies to Jeff Foxworthy)
1 – If you stopped advertising and are getting ready to begin again, you may be ready for a whole new brand.
Your customers may not think you’re in business any longer – so many of your competitors really are gone. Kick in with some new advertising that redefines you.
2 – If you are currently working with clients looking for less expensive and extravagant projects than in the past, you may be ready for a whole new brand.
You used to be known as the luxury kitchen and bath showroom; perhaps it’s time to change that perception. More customers will visit, if they think they can afford your expertise.
3– If you are you changing locations, you may be ready for a whole new brand.
It is as simple as, a new address, a new showroom, a new beginning.
4 – If you are taking on projects you never did before, you may be ready for a whole new brand.
A kitchen and bath professional who is now designing and installing [more] libraries, home offices, laundry rooms, decks, outdoor kitchens, room additions and other projects that may have been more contractor or interior designer related, need to let past (and potential) customers know about your complete services.
5 – If you’re getting ready to redesign your website, you may be ready for a whole new brand.
A website is a major marketing expenditure. If you’re ready to greet the new consumer with an update or upgrade, it is the optimal opportunity to revisit your entire brand – make the change simultaneously.
Just as you would hope a homeowner would consult with you prior to renovating a kitchen, you too should [at least] discuss rebranding with your marketing expert. Is it right for you? What expenses are involved? Will it help your bottom line? What’s the process? A rebranding is not a “half-hearted” project – it can literally turn your business around, so take it seriously.
Food for thought on another Saturday morning….
As always you can find me at phil@kitchenmarketing.com or online at www.kitchenmarketing.com.
Leave a Comment » |
Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen and bath integrated marketing, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: improved business, Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen design websites, kitchen marketing, kitchen sales, kitchen showroom, marketing recession, showroom marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
January 9, 2010
Attention Kitchen and Bath Professionals – especially those with showrooms and manufacturers with dealers. Last week I received an email from Google regarding their Local Business Center service. This is something I was aware of, and actually thought I had implemented. I was mistaken.
The Local Business Center is a free service. Visit http://www.google.com/lbc and create an account. This listing, in conjunction with a strong Search Engine Optimization (SEO) program, will help you show up during searches from Google Maps. You have the opportunity to create a listing for your showroom (or multiple locations), a description of your services, contact info (phone numbers, email addresses, web links), hours of operation, payment options and up to 10 photos and/or 5 videos of your showroom or projects. You can also offer coupons from the listing.
I implemented the local business center for Z promotion & design on January 4 and within 2 days had 83 impressions, 1 click for additional info and 3 clicks to http://www.kitchenmarketing.com. The search terms by which I was found were varied, but are in direct correlation with my “more traditional” SEO program. The #4 term – “kitchen design”. If your customers are looking for you on Google Maps – be sure you are there for them.
This is something you have to do yourself, as Google automates a phone call to your business number to verify the listing (helping to ensure your listing won’t be hacked). It will take you no time to complete and the call from Google to verify is instantaneous (although I had some problems, it took about 5 tries until the system worked correctly – be persistent).
Questions or comments… email me (phil@kitchenmarketing.com), post, call (919-932-4600) or find me on Google Maps in Chapel Hill!
Leave a Comment » |
Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Kitchen and Bath Web Marketing, Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen and bath integrated marketing, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: adwords, google adwords for kitchens, improved business, Integrated Marketing, kitchen and bath adwords campaigns, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design websites, kitchen industry websites, kitchen marketing, kitchen showroom, kitchen website marketing, showroom marketing, web marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
January 2, 2010
Happy New Year!
Two related issues caught my eye on the internet over the holiday… one was a blog entitled “10 B to B Marketers Predictions for 2010”, the other was an ongoing discussion in the LinkedIn group “Kitchen and Bath Industry News” (worth joining, if you haven’t already).
The blogger, Paul Dunay, pointed out in his prediction #4 that “corporate websites will become less important due to the rise of social media” (YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, etc.). The LinkedIn thread, while outwardly a revolt against spamming in discussion groups, carried the underlying message that kitchen and bath professionals are tired of “social media” – the term, the concept, the sales pitches and the confusion surrounding the legitimacy and validity.
To Paul… your insights are (in my opinion) on the money, even for the consumer-oriented kitchen and bath professional. In the kitchen and bath industry, the website will remain the address for “official product or service related content”, while social media sites can become the primary source for displaying new designs, “in the news” features, a place to display your personality (so important in landing the contract) and more. As a website designer (and updater), I hate to toss business aside, but wouldn’t it be easier and more cost effective if you could show your new project on your Facebook page, rather than sending it to your webmaster? NOTE: I will also argue that it is important to [eventually] add it to your website, but that’s for another day.
To the kitchen and bath professionals so fed up with “social media” – don’t bury your heads in the sand! As an industry we were late adapters to websites, so keep abreast of the advances in social media. There is a place for both. Just as your website became a marketing tool alongside your print ads, brochures and commercials, your Facebook page, YouTube account and timely Tweets should be added to your overall Integrated Marketing Campaign.
Let me direct you to some effective social media examples from integrated marketers in the kitchen and bath industry.
Daniel Lumber Company on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/DanielLumber
Artisan Kitchens and Baths on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/ArtisanKitchensandBaths
Artisan Kitchens and Baths on Twitter – http://twitter.com/ArtisanKandB
Designs by bsb on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/home.php?ref=home#/pages/Atlanta-GA/Designs-by-BSB/108953626689?ref=nf
Designs by bsb Blog - http://designsbybsb.com/blog/
As always, I am happy to discuss via the blog, email or phone (919-932-4600).
Join me on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/Zpromotion
Follow me on Twitter http://twitter.com/zpromotion
Have a great 2010 (enjoy our New Year’s Greeting), and let’s be careful out there!
Leave a Comment » |
Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Media Buying, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Kitchen and Bath Web Marketing, Marketing, Social Media for the Kitchen & Bath Industry, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen and bath integrated marketing, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: facebook, improved business, Integrated Marketing, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen and bath social media campaign, kitchen design sales, kitchen design websites, kitchen industry websites, kitchen marketing, kitchen sales, kitchen website marketing, showroom marketing, social media, twitter, web marketing, youtube |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
December 26, 2009
I am as guilty as the next blogger – always writing about SEO (Search Engine Optimization), SEM (Search Engine Marketing), SMO (Social Media Optimization) and a myriad of other internet-related buzz-word compliant acronyms. While these are all ultimately beneficial to your overall integrated marketing strategy, be sure you understand what you’re actually marketing before you embark on your initial, initial-laden campaign.
Before you write the content for your website, develop your messaging and creative, focus your keywords and keyphrases, be sure your brand is fully developed. Understand who you are, what you do and your competitive advantage.
In a good year, this should be an annual exercise – not that you need to make changes, but be sure you are “on message”, “on target” and “on track” to market your firm optimally. For 2010, coming out of a recession (hopefully) – this is even more important. We should all understand that the economy is still “shaky” at best, and that people are not likely to be spending like they did during the “heyday” of kitchen and bath remodeling.
As a result, does your brand need an update? Consider your community… Are you still the luxury design studio? Are you dropping the mid-range to focus on the luxury market? Is it worth your while to place a greater emphasis on bathrooms for 2010?
There are no right or wrong answers. Every community is different, every kitchen and bath professional has a different strengths and goals. But before you spend a dime on SEO, SEM, SMO or traditional advertising – review your brand, either redefine or reconfirm and THEN begin your integrated marketing campaign.
As always, if you need some help with this project… this is part of what we do – http://www.kitchenmarketing.com
Leave a Comment » |
Kitchen and Bath Professionals |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
December 19, 2009
Instead of my usual marketing tips I want to tell you about my Hanukkah gift this year… if you’re under 30, you may already have one, but it was new to me and I immediately thought about what a great asset it would be to the kitchen and bath professional (or anyone else, for that matter). It’s a Livescribe™pen and software. I have experimented with it a few times and used it once in a “real meeting” situation. This is one great and useful toy!
The overview… the instrument itself (the pen) works like a pen… writing on special Livescribe™ Dot Paper. Whatever you write can be downloaded to your computer and saved as a pdf or image file. There are third party software packages that will transcribe your handwriting to editable text – I assume there is a learning curve, but I have not yet purchased it – so check back, as that is on the horizon.
In addition to writing your notes and drawing your sketches, there is a built-in microphone (in the pen) to record your conversation or meeting. When you go back to your notes, you can hear what was actually said at the time you wrote a particular word in your Livescribe notebook. There are plans to develop an audio to editable text plug-in, but I haven’t seen anything yet.
Watch the blog for more information as I have more fun with this new toy! If any of you have a Livescribe™ – use this forum to talk about it! http://www.livescribe.com
Become a fan of Z promotion & design on Facebook – http://www.facebook.com/Zpromotion
Link to me on LinkedIn – very close to 500 connections … http://www.linkedin.com/in/pzaleon

Livescribe Notes
Leave a Comment » |
Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: improved business, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen design websites, kitchen marketing, kitchen sales, kitchen showroom, showroom marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
December 5, 2009
I had an interesting conversation this week with a client about website elements, such as flash, slide shows, and other “cool tools” – his question was “will it help us get clients or is it just fluff?” It got me thinking – how does your website sell your showroom and kitchen designs?
I think there are three inter-related functions of a “successful” website; 1) Attracting Visitors 2) Retaining Visitors and 3) Converting Visitors to Contacts.
1) Attracting Visitors – this is all about Search Engine Optimization (SEO) and non-Internet marketing, such as making sure your website is EVERYWHERE – yard signs, vehicle signage, business cards, ads, collateral materials, billboards, TV, radio, etc. Most of us have the non-internet under control.
However SEO is another story. Not all “cool tools” are search engine friendly… Flash and Javascript navigation to name two can act as barriers to successful SEO. Be aware and be sure you take appropriate steps to circumvent their limitations.
A comment that is off the subject at hand, but an important word about your SEO (that also came up this week). Determine your keywords before you create your website and the copy that will inhabit it. Don’t wait until the site is up and running and wonder why you aren’t found when you Google “kitchen renovations”. The fact is the phrase “kitchen renovation” may not appear anywhere within your site, therefore it won’t show up when Googled. You might have focused on “kitchen design” – totally different phrase as far as Google is concerned.
2) Retaining Visitors – this is where cool tools come in handy. You want to engage the visitor, give them something to see and a reason to hang around. After all, you are a designer, selling a quality product – your website needs to reflect that image. You want to utilize “state of the art” technology to make the visit easier, more memorable, and present the best introduction to who you are and what you do.
Also consider your target market. Although to most of us, the latest web features are now second nature, older demographics may still be using small monitors, have no (or outdated) flash players loaded and have turned off java script readers for [unfounded] fear of viruses. You must decide who your site will cater to and develop it appropriately.
3) Converting Visitors to Contacts – Ultimately this is your primary goal. So as you design your website this should be your first thought… how will I turn my website into leads? To answer that, consider the potential clients’ train of thought.
“I want to renovate my kitchen. It is a major investment. I want someone I can trust, with an excellent reputation, an extensive background in the industry, an eye for design, a style that meshes with my ideas and he/she should be local so we can meet often during the entire process.”
With that in mind, begin to build your site… keywords/phrases and how they fit into the information customers want… testimonials, biographies, lots of [professionally shot] photos showcasing a range of designs and budgets, information about your services and how you work, etc. Couple the information an engaging design and “cool tools” and you stand a great chance of your visitor becoming a client. It’s happened before and it’s happening a lot more!
As always, your thoughts are welcome.
1 Comment |
Kitchen and Bath Media Buying, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Kitchen and Bath Web Marketing, Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: improved business, kitchen and bath adwords campaigns, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen design websites, kitchen industry websites, kitchen showroom, kitchen website marketing, marketing recession, media buys, selling kitchens online, showroom marketing, web marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
November 28, 2009
Thanksgiving is over and we are speeding headlong into 2010. In typical years we resign ourselves to the fact that we will not be closing any more deals until the first of the year. But this is not a typical year and I am hearing from New Jersey to the San Francisco Bay area that kitchen and bath professionals are finalizing deals in the normally “dead zone”.
My point – there seems to be a new-found optimism translating into sales, so don’t let your guard down… don’t stop selling… and make your marketing plans for 2010 – NOW. If you want to hit the ground running in January and entice your customer, you have 4 busy weeks in front of you.
To help you get your bearings, let’s look at some strategies for marketing during this tough economy.
We’ll be Back After this Conversation from Our Sponsor – What is marketing? It is communication; the right message, at the right time, to the right person, in the right media. Used to be a company would toss out a message and those it “stuck to” became customers. Think radio and TV. Monologs are no longer enough. Our lives are too busy to be complicated by meaningless clutter. Today, effective marketing is a dialog. Technology has given us the tools to have meaningful conversations with a disparate group of people simultaneously. Think social media, blogs, interactive websites and enewsletters. And, don’t underestimate the power of online chatter – positive and negative.
Review, Reward & Reevaluate – If cash is tight, don’t simply cut your marketing budget, determine what works and what doesn’t. Reward the effective and reevaluate the questionable. If you’re not tracking your leads, learn your lesson TODAY – always track your leads… ask everyone how they found you.
Let Your Light Shine – Historically, companies that continue to advertise during a recession increase their market share. It’s logical. What is your first reaction? Cut the advertising budget. Well, your competition feels the same way… if they are out of sight (and out of mind); your impressions are that much more effective. Carefully choose your advertising media based on your review process, but don’t stop entirely.
Be True to Yourself – Continue to do what you do best. If you are a high-end designer, don’t deviate and become something you’re not in order to close a few sales. You’ve spent years developing a reputation and brand – don’t jeopardize that. That does not mean you shouldn’t offer incentives (and work with your vendors) to help drive traffic or close the deal, but don’t reinvent yourself for the short-term… you’ll never regain your stature.
Can You Hear Me Now? – You are an expert; in the same vein as a surgeon, lawyer or professor. Your clients come to you because you have the knowledge they lack. Put that knowledge to work by getting “out there” with articles, seminars, public relations, and other ways to become the kitchen and bath EXPERT in your market.
What do you Really Think? – Have you always run your business on your own? Have you ever felt lost, needing advice or otherwise wishing you had someone to turn to? Now may be the best time to employ a “board of advisors”. Your board should consist of other business professionals who can help you look at your business with a critical eye. Some communities have business networking organizations you can join, or you may want to convene a board on your own. The important thing is to get advisors who are knowledgeable, truthful and trustworthy.
Remember Who Brought You to the Dance – How much does a new customer cost? I’m not sure, but likely more than an existing customer. Keeping in mind that marketing is communication, set your sites on maintaining ongoing and open lines of communication with your past clients.
Don’t I Know You from Somewhere? – Don’t hesitate to ask your past clients to participate in surveys to help you better understand who your customer is AND your own unique selling proposition. The more you know, the more effectively you can target your message.
Real Time Message Testing – Make every dollar count. Test your messages before you spend a lot of money broadcasting it. This can be done easily, effectively and economically with Google AdWords and their Analytics code.
Next week, I’ll take a look at these strategies and give you some tactics to operationalize them – if you can’t wait that long – you can find me via email (phil@kitchenmarketing.com) or in the office 919-932-4600.
1 Comment |
Kitchen and Bath Media Buying, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Kitchen and Bath Web Marketing, Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: improved business, kitchen and bath adwords campaigns, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen design websites, kitchen marketing, kitchen sales, kitchen showroom, marketing recession, media buys, showroom marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion
November 21, 2009
Back in the olden days, just before the turn of the century, I began working with kitchen and bath professionals. Marketing was a difficult sell; all I ever heard was “I don’t need to market or advertise; all my business comes from referrals and yellow page ads.” I actually spoke to one person who said he wished he had the money to advertise, but he spends about $50k a year on yellow pages ads!!!!
Times have changed, yet each year kitchen and bath professionals [for the most part] are easy targets for yellow pages ad reps… because every year, without thinking, they are sucked into overspending their budgets in an antiquated “technology”. Perhaps it’s ingrained in our psyche.
Now, I won’t tell you yellow pages are a waste of money… but think about this subject logically.
- Ask your employees, clients, friends, and strangers on the street – “do you use the yellow pages?” “What do you typically look up in it?”
- Have you ever used the yellow pages for a high ticket item… sure, I can see using the book when looking for new tires, a plumber, electrician or HVAC guy – in an emergency (but I am over 50, and grew up using the book) … but for a new dining room suite, a new car or a new kitchen? Not likely. Consider this scenario – ‘morning honey. Ya know we could use a new kitchen. Think I’ll look in the yellow pages and we can go get one this afternoon. Knowing what you know about your clients and their buying habits, is there any validity to this?
The yellow pages are confusing as “heck” to buy… does this conversation sound familiar?
- You tell the rep you want to cut back on your yellow pages this year. “What’s the cost if I down-size the ad?” The response is that you’ll actually be paying more because last year “you got a great promotional deal” – the yellow pages will not publish rates. Everything is a “deal”. And perhaps (but I don’t know for sure) at the discretion of the sales manager, based on his/her bottom line sales goal.
- So then you say that maybe you’ll just cut the yellow pages out altogether, since most people are using the internet now. The rep agrees; the yellow pages are antiquated which is why they are offing a “deal” with the book and their online together. Hmmm, they agree they are selling a useless [almost – makes a great door stop, along with your 386 computer] marketing vehicle, in conjunction with their internet option.
- Your response… I don’t know anyone who uses the yellow pages online, everyone I know uses Google, Bing or another search engine. Again, the rep agrees with you… and tells you “that’s why we make sure we come up with a high listing on all the search engines”. Your response back, “so to get to me, they need to search twice – once with the search engine, and then again on your site?!? If that’s the case, wouldn’t my money be better spent with a SEM (pay per click) program?”
- And by the way, they may also “guarantee” x number of click throughs each month. Not that I am making accusations, but anyone can sit at a computer and click to your website. Generally I have found that their claims don’t agree with Google Analytics’ stats.
- And just for the back of your mind… how many different yellow page publishers are in your market? How many different books do each publish based on geographical boundaries? In how many different categories do you feel obligated to be listed or have an ad… kitchens, bathrooms, contractors, countertops, etc.? It adds up; suddenly spending $50,000 seems quite possible.
My take-aways…
- STOP spending on the yellow pages and put your money into other marketing venues. Taking my $50k a year example from above. If he had spent $50,000 in TV, Radio, Magazines and Pay per Click on the internet – people would KNOW him, his name, his business and IF his potential clients needed to find a phone number, the white pages or free listing in the yellow pages would certainly suffice.
- If the internet is the new yellow pages, take your current yellow page budget and be sure your website is second to none, optimized for search engines and you are spending on a pay per click campaign.
- If you MUST run yellow page ads, try the following – tell the rep you have x number of dollars to spend each month, which categories are vital, and in this specific order of importance. Rep – “you come back with the best deal you can offer. Then I’ll decide what to do”.
Agree? Disagree? Have your own horror stories, or perhaps success stories – this is the place to share. Feel free to link back to your website – it helps with your SEO. Call (919-932-4600) or email if you’d like to continue the conversation “in person”.
And – Z promotion & design is offering a GREAT incentive to update your website – follow the link… www.kitchenmarketing.com
2 Comments |
Kitchen and Bath Media Buying, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, Marketing, kitchen and bath dealer, kitchen design marketing | Tagged: adwords, improved business, Kitchen and Bath Industry, kitchen and bath marketing, Kitchen and Bath Professionals, kitchen dealers, kitchen design sales, kitchen marketing, kitchen sales, kitchen showroom, media buys, showroom marketing |
Permalink
Posted by zpromotion