How to Critique Your Own Yellow Page Ad Dr. Lynella GrantForget what you know about your business Your goal is to see your Yellow Page display advertisement
way a directory user sees it. You can’t act like you know anything about your enterprise that isn’t there, on
page. Look at your ad without pride or being identified with your operation. If you pretend it’s someone else’s, you can spot
flaws you’d otherwise overlook.
Mentally put
competition’s name on your ad. Does what you say apply equally well to them? If it does, you haven’t effectively set yourself apart. When all
ads seem alike buyers think they can get
same thing from any of them (and are more likely to select by price). The goal isn’t just to look different, but to actually be different in ways customers notice and care about.
Does
ad provide
facts readers and callers need? Directory users have already decided to buy something. So they’re looking in
Yellow Pages to find who provides it. This is
educational phase of
buying process. As soon as a person finds enough information to take
next step, they close
directory and move on.
Customers want information. They’re looking for some reason to prefer some business over
rest. Well-thought-through ads make their job much easier. So give readers
precise information they’re looking for. It’s hard to do that unless you understand your customers’ mindset and priorities. It helps to be absolutely clear about how you’re different from other businesses in
heading.
Look at
ad as a whole Now squint your eyes so you can’t make out
words. This lets you get
overall impression. Most ads just get scanned, so
words themselves are only read if there’s a double-take that captures
reader’s attention.
Is
whole image pleasant to look at? Does it reveal an attractive, unique personality of
business? Is there a business-like, competent tone? Do all
parts, from
fonts and images, to messages, all mesh and express
same distinctive flavor?