Ok so I have a customer that wants us to increase the chances that his listing would come up in a directory assistance request. The customer is willing to purchase DIDs for many areas to make this happen.
Clearly it won't work if the request is for a specific company.
This is mostly targeted to those that call directory assistance asking for something more general like a "pharmacy" in a specific area or a "car dealer" in a specific area.
Any ideas would be helpful.
Thanks in advance!
Fred
The answer to your question will likely depend on whether you are trying to "game" a biggie directory like that of Qwest or BellSouth versus something like Domino.
Remember the easy days when all you had was the Yellow Pages? Companies would simply put an "A" or "123" at the beginning of their company name to bring it to the front of a section's listings.
I saw a company that had like a half page of DIDs listed. Got them a free half page ad I guess.
-Hal
When I say directory assistance I mean when calling 411. Getting DIDs to increase his presence is one thing. Assuring that helps him get picked is another.
Just my 2 cents - I'd ask him if he has considered the various ways to make his web site (assuming he has one) come up close to the top in a google search.
Most of the people I know, when looking for a "General" category, don't use directory assistance at all. My personal experience with 411 has always been less than positive, and I wouldn't even consider asking them a generalized question.
I know it's not a part of your question... but it seems like I get a new phone book from someone about every 6 months. Right into the recycle bin it goes.... I don't even remember the last time I used a phone book.
It's all going online... the exception of course would be people using their mobile phones... and I'm WAY out of my league here, but my perception is each mobile provider has their own directory assistance service... from where they get their data... I have no idea. But with the advent of things like the iPhone, you're back to google/the internet again anyway.
As I'm just an average joe telephone user (with a slight IT bias).... I'd forget about 411 and think about the internet.
On the other hand, I realize your job (all of our jobs, I suppose) is to provide what the customer wants.
Apologies for babbling on and not really providing any help with your original question.
Respects,
Matt
Since most of us are just guessing, because the question has never come up before, my advice would be to ask the company who administers the directory assistance service for the answer.
Then let us know the answer.
We have a customer who does just what you are talking about. They get a DID from us in every city for which they want to appear. They also use the A or AAA or A1 trick to. It seems to work for them since they have been doing this for some years and their bill is always paid on time and in full
When I say directory assistance I mean when calling 411. Getting DIDs to increase his presence is one thing. Assuring that helps him get picked is another.
You mean calling directory assistance for the Yellow pages? I've never heard of anyone stupid enough to do that.
Think about it, you need a plumber. There are 10 pages of plumbers. The whole purpose of the Yellow pages is to give the person looking an idea about the company. Some are obviously a rip off, some are unknown. Are you going to let some directory assistance person pick who you do business with? I can't believe there would be any order to how they pick names.
-Hal
Something you geniouses overlook.
How about Locksmith service when you are locked out from the car and dont have AA or locked out of the house and there is an important quote that needs to go out... You need to get a closest guy to open that lock.
If customer wants it there is a reason.
Respectfully
Something you geniouses overlook.
How about Locksmith service when you are locked out from the car and dont have AA or locked out of the house and there is an important quote that needs to go out... You need to get a closest guy to open that lock.
And the closest locksmith is often the one with the two page spread that lists "a location in your neighborhood". This will always be the guy who tells you $45 for the service call on the phone and when he hands you the bill, after he just destroyed your door, it's $800.
Something people who think they know everything must have missed.
I have friends I work with in the locksmith business...
-Hal
On one job in Pitsburg, our truck broke down. Needed a cab to get to Greybar. Called 411. We got local taxi cab. It was up to the operator to get us that number.
Another example of business that needs to be on top of 411
I also have a locksmith friend. I must agree. This guys are gods almost like a good phone guy.
Our locksmiths at school do everything. Card access, door closers, burglar alarms, key systems, etc. They spent a day re-welding a metal door that broke at the union. When you are locked out, those are the guys you need! They get called in at 2am all the time to rekey dorms when some drunk kid loses their keys