Where Are Your Yellow Pages?

Can you remember the last time you got out the yellow pages? Or even the white pages? When you need a number where do you look for it? Most folks are using their smart phones or an internet search engine. Our need for information and phone number has not changed, but the method in which we look for this information has. Recently our father, who is over 65, came to visit. He wanted to find an Italian restaurant, and he asked where our yellow pages were. It took me a second to remember where they were, and if in fact we still had some. I am very guilty of chucking them in the bin the moment they hit the front steps. I found a set and he found what he was looking for in the book.

I must confess, I was never a good user of the yellow pages. Somehow the category I would search for was never there. Part of this is probably my own quirky way with language. For example if I was looking for bottled water distributors – I would look under bottle, and find nothing. Somehow, it was exceedingly difficult for me to parse the phrase and know to look under water, and find bottled water distributors. So, I just didn’t use the yellow pages.

Search engines regardless of your preference, do a pretty good job and trying to think like you think and thereby get you the best results for your search. Does it always work, of course not. Overall, we have moved from a book and paper search method for phone numbers to technological means. I suppose the next question, is “Do you still call people on the phone?”

TooBusyGals:
Boutique Media Services for Busy People.
Creating smart strategies for women in business to achieve success. TooBusyGals is here to hold your had while implementing social media platforms and campaigns to increase your visibility and increase your bottom line.

Who Am I Blogging For - Does Anyone Want to Hear What I Have To Say?

Taps Microphone... Is This Thing On??

Every blog writer asks this question at some point. It may come as a shock to the newbie blogger, but as of 2011, estimates are there are 152 million blogs (www.geekygadgets.com). The chance that someone out there wants to hear what you have to say is a highly probable. The question we need to ask, is Who are we trying to speak to? Who do you see as the consumer of your blog. Writers whether bloggers or NYT bestselling authors, strategize the same thing, who is your customer? The web and proliferation of information has shown us that it is not the mass audience who is going to make your blog successful, it is the niche market. To be a well written, researched (if appropriate), and engaging are some surefire ways to establish your blog.

Once you have determined who your core audience is – you can begin strategizing ideas for regular content creation. Just for the record – your audience is NOT “everyone”. Just as everyone’s job in doing house chores, soon becomes no one’s job. The same is true for strategies that are targeting everyone. Determine who you want to speak to and with and then write your buns off!

The first fan for your writing is ….YOU. Write what interests you and meets the target market you are striving to engage. Be daring enough to make mistakes, and humble enough to admit them. When you take big risks, you will have big failures, but you will also achieve incredible results. Trust that what you have to say is important and the audience will let you know when it is.