February 28, 2005
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-- Social Networking and Internet Yellow Pages
-- This Phone Service Does Everything
-- Answer to Last Week's Brainteaser
-- It's a Dog-Sniff-Dog World.
-- If these guys were any hotter, the snow would melt itself.
-- Dude, Go Easy on the Peanuts
-- Word from Above
-- It's Official
-- Bet she throws more than the bouquet later.
-- Ad Placement.
-- This Week's Brainteaser
-- Quote of the Week

Social Networking and Internet Yellow Pages
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Imagine if you could combine referrals from trusted friends with the comprehensiveness of a Yellow Pages directory. That'd be pretty cool, huh?

Well, it's called "social networking", and several companies are attempting to accomplish it. Most have variations in their approach, but a few of them are putting the emphasis on building strong referral bases.

I compared tribe.net and InsiderPages.com, two leading companies that have very different approaches to social networking.

vs.

My prediction is that trusted referrals will eventually be as common in Internet Yellow Pages as maps and driving directions.

I much prefer one approach to the other.

Read my review of tribe.net vs. InsiderPages.com

This Phone Service Does Everything
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Directory Assistance Sucks. The phone companies use it to subsidize their core business, and they cash in every time they give you bad information and you have to call back.

There is a better solution, and it's called Infone.

Infone provides an incredible level of concierge-type services in addition to traditional directory assistance.

For example, I was at Redneck University (aka The Home Depot) picking up some items for my new neighbor, only I couldn't remember his last name or phone number. I called Infone, and the operator carefully went through the names of people living on my street until I got the right person. You won't get that from the phone company.

The kicker is that it costs less than dialing 411 from my cell phone.

Infone is way cool

Answer to Last Week's Brainteaser
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What word actually becomes longer when a letter is removed?

Man, I got about a jillion responses to this brain teaser.

Guess who won the copy of Ruben's book.

See the Answer & Our Celebrity Winners

It's a Dog-Sniff-Dog World.
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I sent my dog to obedience school, but he got into a fight on the school bus.

++++++++++++++++++

In other news . . .

SBC Communications Inc. executives said their plan to successfully combine with AT&T Corp. in a $16 billion deal relies heavily on a cost-cutting drive that will eliminate 13,000 jobs.

A spokesman for SBC said, "Anybody need a good spokesman?"

If these guys were any hotter, the snow would melt itself.
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Larry Angove, President of the Association of Directory Publishers along with support of the Association's Board of Directors (not shown here) have taken strong stances in relation to:

• Syndicated research (why it matters)
  
  
• Growth of independent publishers (how high can this go?)
  
  
• eRates and Data (friend or foe?)

ADP Web Site

Dude, Go Easy on the Peanuts
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I think I've figured out who used up all the Charmin.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

Google's new approach to maps is quite clever. It's worth a look.

Google Map of My Childhood Home

Word from Above
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Herb Gordon (not shown here belting out his signature tune "I'm a Little Teapot"), President and CEO of the Association of Directory Marketers sent in this tidbit.

We've all seen the chart showing the consumer buying process. It's a staple of every college marketing 101 course:

So where does Yellow Pages really belong on this chart?

Read the rest.

It's Official
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We have officially run out of street names.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

If you want to know what's really going on in the Yellow Pages world, check out the YPcommando blog.

The Yellow Pages Commando Blog

Bet she throws more than the bouquet later.
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I'd like to see Donald Trump's bride try this in her $100,000 dress.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

AOL has remped up it's local products in a major overhaul. Here's the "official" release. Stay tuned to the Commando for the real story.

AOL Takes Local Search Beyond "Enhanced Yellow Pages"

Ad Placement.
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Sometimes ad placement works for you . . .

And sometimes it doesn't.

++++++++++++++++++++++++++

A jury has awarded a Vancouver, Oregon couple $1.6 million because of a seemingly honest error in Dex's Yellow Pages.

I think it was the "deep pockets" syndrome.

Dex to pay $1.6 million

This Week's Brainteaser
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On his first day on the job as the security guard of a funeral home, Buford hears a murder through a closed door.

Behind the door, he hears people arguing in loud voices. He hears one of them say, "No, John, no! Don't do it, you'll regret it."

Bang! Bang! Bang!

Buford bursts through the door. What does he see? A dead man on the floor with the gun beside him.

In the room, are three living people: the minister, the funeral director, and the grave digger.

Even though Buford has never seen any of the suspects before, he walks directly to the minister and snaps the cuffs on him.

How did Buford know that the minister was the shooter?

Email your answer to puzzler@dicklarkin.com

The winner will receive 15 minutes of uninterrupted fame.

I'll also select one winner to receive "The Courage to Succeed" by three time Olympian, Ruben Gonzalez. I read this book cover to cover, and am totally impressed by his ability to overcome so many obsticles.

To improve your random chances of winning, please include your name and company name.

I draw the winner the day before I send the following newsletter, so keep voting until the polls close.

Ruben sent me an extra copy so I'll give one to this week's winner. Funny how winners always seem to go that extra step.

More about Ruben Gonzalez - his story is amazing.

Quote of the Week
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"It is one of the great compensations of life that no man can sincerely endeavor to help another without, in turn, helping himself." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Hey, if you made it this far, don't forget to read my comparison between tribe.net and InsiderPages.com. It's worth it.

vs.

tribe.net vs. InsiderPages.com