"A" Marketing Mistake?
Putting the letter "A" in front of your business name could be "A" marketing mistake.
If you look through your local phone book or go on line to look at the names of DJs in your area, I can guarantee that there will be at least one company that decided its best marketing plan is to place the letter "A" in front of their business name.
I have seen some with anywhere from one to four "A's" in the front of their names. Why do they do this?
Back in the day before the internet the only way a business person could advertise was in the yellow pages.
As you know the yellow pages place ads and names in alphabetical order. It was perceived that people looking for services and goods would get tired or bored with looking quickly- so they would automatically stop after the first few on the page.
When the internet first took off it was also ran this way, but then the ISP's and the web site hosts got smart and figured out that they could charge per ad more money for higher rankings. Now it doesn't matter what letter your business names starts with to your ranking on the net. The more you pay, the higher the rankings. (Not exactly fair to the little guy, but neither is placing four “A’s” in front of a name)
This amazes me when I still see DJs (and other) businesses using this old marketing technique and believing that this really works.
I have seen DJ businesses that for many, many years had its name brand established but suddenly find that they are not getting the business they once did and decide to just add the letter "A" to the already established name.
Yes, it will place the name listing closer to the beginning of the list, but it doesn't fix the real problem that is the true cause of the drop off in business (whatever that may be)
Clients today are much more educated in what it takes to be a good or a bad DJ (or any service) They now take the time to shop around and ask the important questions, not just get bored and pick the first guy in the phone book.
Sure you will still find "price shoppers" but seldom if ever, will you find a person who hires you just because you were the first name in the book.
To me personally if I see any business that has placed "A's" in the front of their name, I will pass on them just because I believe that they have done this as a poor choice of a marketing plan and thus gives them the appearance of a less then professional business.
When was the last time you hired AAAA Professional….Anything?
Jeff Richards: Party TIme Productions