Whats the chances of QYPE

I've no doubt you will flag up on their database with flashing lights - don't call otherwise you will be abused

I'm not really familiar with Qype, however, if they are anything like the rest of 3rd party local business review sites (and I bet they are), they will most definitely follow up with you to upsell you one of their (payable) advertising packages.

I was wondering, how come you decided to sign up with them? Is there a specific benefit/result you are looking to get out of their (free) listing?

Steps into the lions den....

As a 3rd party local business review site, we will certainly mention once or twice <ahem> about an upgraded listing But only via email and never by coldcalling. Personally I don't think it's unreasonable if someone's taking out one of our free listings, and they can unsubscribe easily from any mail at any time. If they get the hump, we simply delete their free listing, so no skin off our nose.

Likewise to other providers like Qype. I'm personally not a fan of the full on sales pitch, or cold calling, but if you take up one of their free listings, then I don't think it's that unreasonable to get a sales call. If it's not for you, just simply say "no thanks". If you are really anti getting any upsells, via mail or phone, then don't sign up for any free listings.

Obviously if you decide to take out a paid listing with any directory, don't agree from a cold call and go and do some research. If you perceive some value, go for it, if you don't, then.. don't

Didn't realize that's your website, Steve. I agree, there's nothing wrong with upselling, especially when the upsell provides great value to the client / customer in terms of positive ROI.

I know you hate coldcalling, but what if this follow-up method could double or triple the results you're currently getting from just sending out follow-up emails? If you've never tried it before, then at least take it for a test ride. See whether its worth doing on a regular basis, or not. Just a suggestion, of course... : )

Hope you don't think I mean Qype Our site is My Local Services.


Don't get me wrong, me personally I hate making coldcalls, and I'm not a fan of receiving them either, but if it grows the business...

We used to make a lot of outbound sales calls, and had an inhouse sales team. I didn't like, and tried to make it less aggressive, but the overhead of a sales team wasn't worth the associated hassle. We then went down a professional call centre route, but hearing the aggressive sales pitches from professionally trained staff didn't sit well with us, and decided to scrap all outbound sales calls, and concentrate on converting inbound enquires. Done that ever since, and works well for us

But horses for courses and different things work for different companies. I'm not against cold selling as a business concept, but in hindsight, I'm glad we no longer do it.

That's exactly what I thought. Sorry, my bad.


In that case, my suggestion above is not really relevant anymore as you've done it before, but its still interesting to hear about your experience with this marketing method...

I used it before and plan to use it again as soon as my start-up is open for business simply because it works for me. All I need to do is pick up the phone and voila, I now have direct connection with my target audience. : )

However, this time I'm going to (try to) take the "cold" out of "calling" as much as possible by warming up my prospects in advance with direct mail.

in relation to my original question. of how long before. it took them 3 days only to be told very politely what had gone down beforehand. I always seem to get the guy thats just started cos the one i had before had left.
That excuse is getting a bit thin now, it is time they thought of a new one, and i dont mean just Qype but a lot of companies come out with the same excuse. But i was still smiling afterwards so it was not all bad