The Wedding Files: Your Yellow Pages Listing

[cricket]

Since I happen to be an expert on this subject (I work for a major communications company/directory publisher), I will add that you can also purchase a 1/2 inch in-column ad that allows you about 4 lines of text at various boldness and font sizes. Less lines with larger fonts. That is for the smallest ad offered not counting a listing, which is just that, a listing (which, like Bloo stated, makes your name even more imortant 'cause you only get 1 line). This ad lets you state several specialties without the higher cost of a display ad. This type of ad does not allow photos, but certain larger ones do allow for logos.

Also, if you live in a large Metro area, chances are that there are more than one directory for your city/county. Oregon has Portland/Vancouver, Gresham, Washington County, Clackamas, etc. All of those Oregon areas could be serviced by you if you are in the Portland Metro area (I used to live there). Not all states have so many, but many do. I put my ad in a county book for now as I am relocating after my new studio gets built. I want to have people near the new location and where I am now call me. Then I will put an ad in my city directory as well for next year (no, I don't get an employee discount :( ).

Studies were recently done that showed people are still picking up the book more than any other way of finding services. That may change, but for now it's a great way to advertise. The cost is tax deductable, and the money spent can be made up in a short time.

[Red]

Bloo, I'd insist, and even help, you write a book of these short stories, but then we'd be denied them on here. Love, love, LOVE them! :lol:

[rick barclay]

You are something else, Bloo Dog. :)

[S230]

I too love reading your articles Bloo Dog. :)

[Claire]

I kinda like the idea of nude bridal portraiture... ;) And I'm still sad to hear Bloo Dog didn't shoot the nudist wedding nekkid. That would have been a good story... hehe

[cricket]

lol!! :lol:

Not being a Sales Rep myself, I can say that these are SALESpeople who sometimes, unfortunately, stoop to drastic/weird measures to make their sales.

A business could complain and easily get a new Rep to help them if they aren't comfortable with the one they have. Though you handled yours quite well! ;)

Since I get to see all of the ads before a book pubs, I know what's out there. My Rep and I had an interesting time discussing Seniors versus High School Seniors. I showed several people at work my ad proof, and they asked why I didn't include the Senior Discount logo, since I do Seniors... These people didn't realize that I meant High School Seniors! Yet looking in the book, most photographers listed Seniors. I wondered if people looking in the book for a photographer were really that clueless, or am I just so accustomed to our terms in photography?!

I didn't have enough room for High School, but decided to go with H.S. I just decided to assume that some of the people were clueless, and if the rest can't figure out what H.S. stands for, I don't really care!

I think that just a line listing is great, especially if you want to specialize, or have multiple listings. I am going to have another ad under Portrait Photographers, listing specifically what I want to do. I am not specifying Families, Weddings, Babies, Kids. I am only doing weddings selectively now, as I am a bit tired of them. I want to take more time and become more proficient in digital.

I want to be completely digital, and not do weddings after this year.

[rick barclay]

>Call me prudish. Call me old-fashioned. Call me hung-up and neurotic...<

Call you hung-up or...?

[Ballen Photo]

Bloo, I NEVER thought about the Yellow Pages sales rep being underhanded like this, but I sure liked the "Inside" information about livestock photography. :shock: :lol: :lol:
-Bruce

[charlesu]

LOL!! Great story Bloo. Wow, what a great idea. You could really have had some fun with this guy.

[Claire]

Somehow, i don't think the groom would enjoy knowing that I'd seen his soon-to-be-betrothed like that.
Hey, if they are nudists they wouldn´t give a hoot. They have all their relatives looking at them nude!

Call me prudish. Call me old-fashioned. Call me hung-up and neurotic. I don't care. I associate nudity with a lot of things, and when it's outdoors, I associate it with bug bites and sunburn. (Do you guys get enough sun in Sweden to get sunburned? Is that word even in your lexicon?).

Ever seen Tarzan? He's wearing a loin cloth and swinging from the trees. I always wondered how that worked out... Same with Jane. And they live in the djungle. Lots of bug bites. ;)

Yes, Sweden does have sun in the summer. :p That's probably the only time one should visit Sweden. Summertime in Sweden is lovely. Everything in full bloom. You can drive and watch red houses and get sunburned on a cliff by the sea. Swedes are notoriously nuts about sun. As soon as it's towards 20 Celsius people start to throw off their clothes and sunbathe. It's amazing. You'll see people doing garden work in swimming wear and in central Gothenburg the young people lie down in the parks/grass and take off their t-shirts to sunbathe. Can't stand it when men walk topless in town though. Ugh. Not hygenic or nice.

[MazerRakhm]

Bloo, you're stories are a bright point to my dreary work day!

[froman98]

You have the best stories. They make me laugh my ass off. Thanks!

[kb244]

Should take all your wedding files (If you get enough for them) and publish them in a small book. :D

[S230]

I too would be surprised as Bloo Dog if anyone believed my jokes. Anyone hearing rumors or stories should FIRST verify the information and make sure it's a fact before making the leap. In this case, someone unfortunately believed the salesman. At least the salesman did his job...