Latest news with #YellowPages
Newsweek
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Newsweek
Millennial Mom Asks Daughter 90s Questions—No One Prepared for Responses
Based on facts, either observed and verified firsthand by the reporter, or reported and verified from knowledgeable sources. Newsweek AI is in beta. Translations may contain inaccuracies—please refer to the original content. A mom decided to test her daughter on common items and trends from the 90s, offering her money if she got a passing grade on the questions. Michelle Godfrey, 40, is mom to two kids, Jack, 15, and 11-year-old Julianna, and the family, including husband Adam, Godfrey's high-school sweetheart, live on a farm in Georgia. Her youngest child is from Generation Alpha, the generation succeeding Gen Z: those born between 2010 and 2025. Recently, Godfrey came across a trend online where adults were asking their children to describe popular items from the 80s and 90s, and decided to test her own Gen Alpha daughter, who was born decades later. Godfrey told Newsweek she even promised Julianna that, if she got a passing grade—70 percent or more of the questions correct—she would give her $100, which instantly got Julianna interested in the challenge. But, as Godfrey said: "I knew my money was safe—because, most of what I asked her, she's never really had to use or see in her lifetime." In a video posted to her TikTok account, @michellebailgodfrey on July 31, viewed over 5 million times, Godfrey began by asking Julianna if she knew what the Yellow Pages are. And Julianna made a good guess, asking if it was something to do with the Wizard of Oz—as she made the connection between that and the Yellow Brick Road, and her mother burst out laughing. From left: Michelle Godfrey and her daughter Julianna, left, discuss 80s and 90s technology. From left: Michelle Godfrey and her daughter Julianna, left, discuss 80s and 90s technology. TikTok @michellebailgodfrey As the video went on, Godfrey asked her daughter everything from Sega (which she thought was a type of drink); a rotary phone (which she thought was a phone you called if you got lost on the side of the road); and a cassette tape (which she thought was similar to duct tape). Julianna did know her stuff when it came to some things, however, as she knew instantly that a Walkman was used to play CDs, and that Stretch Armstrong was a "little wrestler toy"—but it sadly wasn't enough to win the money. "Honestly, I thought she did great—she really used critical thinking, and I was so proud of her confidence," Godfrey said, describing her daughter as "incredibly smart, confident, and self-sufficient." The mother and daughter went viral for their unusual test. TikTok users awarded the video more than 328,000 likes, as one commenter urged Godfrey: "Hand her a cassette tape and a pencil and ask what they have in common." "Not her thinking the Yellow Pages are the yellow brick road," another posted, while a third posted: "I was laughing until I realized … I'm so old." Julianna, left, gestures with her mom listens in the viral video. Julianna, left, gestures with her mom listens in the viral video. TikTok @michellebailgodfrey And one commenter pointed out another interesting thing: as Julianna had asked her mother if she could get a Jellycat instead of $100, they wrote: "But not me not knowing what a Jellycat is." But another user educated her and other older generations by describing them as "today's Beanie Babies." Godfrey said that it has been "interesting" going viral, but didn't want people to think that Julianna "isn't smart, or that she lives in front of a screen," explaining her daughter doesn't have a cellphone yet, and won't get one "until it's truly necessary." Godfrey said some commenters claimed that an 11-year-old not knowing technology from the 80s was "a poor reflection of parenting." She added that one person even told her to "get out a little, go to an antique store and teach her." But as Godfrey said: "The funny thing is, we actually own an antique store! "Both of my kids are very well-rounded," she added. "Living on a farm has taught them so much about life and work ethic." Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures you want to share? Send them to life@ with some extra details, and they could appear on our website.
Business Journals
01-08-2025
- Business
- Business Journals
Why AI demands a change to your business' SEO strategy
Today, most businesses are viewing AI through a single lens: efficiency. AI as the tool that makes things faster, cheaper, and error-free. Fewer hours spent, fewer typos made, maybe fewer people hired. That's all true. But it misses something bigger. AI isn't just replacing jobs, it's replacing the lead generation system most businesses have relied on for the past two decades. Once upon a time, if you needed a plumber, pizza or a CPA, you didn't Google it. You grabbed the Yellow Pages. For those born after 2000, the Yellow Pages were an actual section of the phone book, bright yellow pages, that alphabetized business listings. If your business wasn't there, it didn't exist. And if you wanted to stand out, you paid for a bigger ad. Then Google indexed the internet. Suddenly, the Yellow Pages weren't just outdated, they were irrelevant. Why flip through a book when you could type a few words and browse websites, read reviews, compare prices, and decide with confidence? That shift wasn't gradual. It happened fast, and it's happening again today with AI. AI is doing to search engines what search engines did to the Yellow Pages. Instead of heading straight to Google, more and more people start with tools like ChatGPT, Perplexity, Claude, or Grok. And it makes sense. AI removes the research legwork. You ask a question, it checks hundreds of sites, assesses which sources are reputable, filters out the noise, and hands you a ready-made answer. Not a list of ten blue links. Not ads crowding out the top spots. Just one clear response. Sometimes, it even suggests follow-up questions. Here's why that matters: People aren't just using AI for trivia or restaurant tips. They're using it to research attorneys, financial advisors, contractors, even doctors. High-consideration, relationship-driven decisions that used to begin with a search or a referral. And this isn't a prediction for 2030. It's already here. Google knows it, too. That's why you're starting to see AI-generated answers at the top of search results. But think for a second about what that really means: If your business isn't part of those AI-generated answers, your visibility doesn't just dip, it disappears. That's where AEO (Answer Engine Optimization… sometimes referred to as GEO or Generative Answer Optimization) comes in. AEO is about making sure your website content is structured, cited, and credible enough that AI tools actually use it as an answer to someone's question. AEO isn't some mysterious black art. It's about creating clear, structured content. Making sure your expertise is visible to these AI platforms in a way they recognize and trust. The kind of investment that's already becoming just as foundational as building a website with strong SEO was in the early 2000s. Now, some of you might be thinking: 'We're good. We get our business through relationships.' I hear that a lot. And I get it because our industry is relationship based. Referrals have always been king. But here's the reality: Even in relationship-driven industries, AI is becoming your new referral partner. Our newest client was referred to us by ChatGPT last month. I'll dig deeper into that in my next article in this series, but here's the short version: Buyers now check with AI before or after they check with their network. They still trust their friend's recommendation, but first, they want confirmation, comparison, and context. Fast. The takeaway here is simple. The search engine era is fading. The answer engine era has begun, and the window to get ahead of it is open right now. If you're serious about lead flow, visibility, and staying in the conversation, it's time to make AEO part of your strategy. Because if your website isn't optimized for AI visibility, you are at risk of becoming this decade's Yellow Pages. Still around. Just no longer seen. If any of this hits home, or even makes you a little nervous, my team and I are happy to talk through how AEO fits into your business's growth strategy. Just reach out or attend one of our webinars later this month that dives into AEO and explains more about what it is and how to position yourself to be cited by answer engines. Better to have that conversation now than trying to play catch up. Three29 is a Sacramento-based web development and marketing agency that helps brands turn complex buyer journeys into measurable growth. From websites to lead gen, we help brands stay visible, credible, and competitive in a changing landscape. Joshua Hanosh is a past 40 Under 40 awardee and is the co-founder and Vice President of Strategy at Three29. Specializing in AI-driven AEO, brand strategy, and marketing for industries like A/E/C, manufacturing, law, SaaS, and finance; Josh regularly speaks on how AI is reshaping search, sales, and lead generation.
Associated Press
16-07-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Angela Chatterfield Releases New Book, Instant Response Revolution, a Practical AI Guide for Small Business Growth
Huntington Beach, California--(Newsfile Corp. - July 16, 2025) - Angela Chatterfield announces the release of her new book, 'Instant Response Revolution: The Solo Entrepreneur's AI Advantage,' a comprehensive guide offering a framework-driven approach to implementing artificial intelligence solutions for small business growth. The book addresses the critical challenge of first contact management, identified as the 'invisible killer' of modern businesses. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Image 1 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: The book introduces the P.A.C.E. (Patient Automated Contact Experience) system alongside 'Patrice,' a personified AI assistant designed to help solo entrepreneurs compete with larger enterprises. The book's framework centers on four core components: AI Voice Agent for call management, AI Chatbot for website engagement, AI Review Manager for reputation oversight, and The Square Framework for sustainable business development. Redefining First Impressions in Digital Business The book's central thesis challenges traditional sales approaches by positioning first contact as the actual moment of sale, rather than during formal consultations or closing conversations. Research presented demonstrates that only 30% of customers will leave voicemail messages, with the remaining 70% moving to competitors when immediate response is unavailable. 'The first contact is the sale,' the book asserts. 'Not the consultation. Not the close. The first touchpoint is where the seeds of trust or doubt are planted.' The book draws from experience spanning Yellow Pages sales, plastic surgery practice management, and AI integration across multiple industries. Experience managing over 6,000 customer service calls weekly at an SEO company revealed that most businesses fail not from poor products, but from broken contact management systems. AI as Enhancement Tool Rather Than Replacement The book positions artificial intelligence as an enhancement tool that allows entrepreneurs to deliver consistent responses while focusing on high-value activities. The approach emphasizes training AI systems with business-specific voice and values rather than implementing generic automation. The P.A.C.E. system evolved from work with plastic surgery practices achieving 70% same-day close rates and reducing no-show appointments to under 1%. When telecom law changes disrupted the original system, the framework was rebuilt using AI technology while maintaining the psychological and structural foundations. 'AI isn't here to replace your human touch,' the book explains. 'It's here to ensure your human moments aren't lost in the chaos.' Consumer Behavior Analysis and Response Strategy The book characterizes modern consumers as 'Consumer Monsters' who are distracted, option-saturated, and possess diminishing attention spans. This behavioral shift requires businesses to move from human-dependent to AI-augmented operations capable of delivering immediate, consistent interactions. Research presented indicates that response time directly correlates with trust-building and conversion rates. A secret shopper campaign of plastic surgeons spending over $10,000 monthly on Google Ads revealed that 40% never contacted leads within 48 hours, with several providing no response at all. The book emphasizes that speed communicates priority and care to consumers who can block numbers, scroll past advertisements, or abandon inquiries with single gestures. This reality demands systematic approaches to contact management rather than hoping prospects will wait for delayed responses. Framework-Based Sustainable Growth Rather than promoting quick-fix solutions, 'Instant Response Revolution' advocates for systematic frameworks that adapt to changing market conditions. The Square Framework provides four evaluation corners: assessment of current effectiveness, decision-making for next steps, celebration of achievements, and realignment with core mission. The book warns against chasing trending success stories or one-time tactics, instead emphasizing sustainable systems that can weather economic fluctuations and regulatory changes. Experience during pandemic-era business growth and subsequent market corrections reinforces the importance of frameworks over snapshot successes. The book includes practical implementation steps for each chapter, creating actionable blueprints rather than theoretical concepts. This approach reflects an emphasis on systems thinking across industries, from Yellow Pages advertising to elective medical procedures. Dual Market Application Strategy The book addresses two distinct markets: cash-pay medical providers and small businesses. Both segments face identical challenges of making strong first impressions with limited resources and staff. For small businesses, the book introduces 'Patrice' as an approachable AI assistant that helps micro-enterprises compete with enterprise-level customer service. For medical practices, the P.A.C.E. system provides strategic frameworks for screening leads, nurturing prospects, and closing patients efficiently. The dual approach demonstrates that core AI tools remain consistent across industries, with customization occurring in presentation and training rather than fundamental technology. This scalability allows solo entrepreneurs to access enterprise-level capabilities without corresponding overhead costs. Trust Building in Automated Systems Despite emphasizing technological solutions, the book maintains that trust remains the primary currency for business conversion. The book argues that people buy from those they respect rather than those they like, as respect creates reluctance to disappoint rather than comfortable rejection. The book addresses concerns about AI implementation by emphasizing proper training and oversight. The book notes that untrained AI systems reflect poorly on business owners, requiring continuous monitoring and refinement to maintain effectiveness. The approach includes emotional intelligence scaling through AI systems that can remember customer preferences, follow up consistently, and maintain brand voice across all interactions. This creates personalized experiences without requiring constant human intervention. Real-World Application and Testing The book's frameworks draw from experience across multiple business environments, from managing plastic surgery consultation processes to directing operations for SEO companies serving over 50,000 customers. The content reflects insights from television production, media marketing, and direct customer service management. The transition from traditional sales roles to AI implementation provides practical insights into evolving business challenges. Work with featuring over 2,500 patient questions and nationwide surgeon directories, demonstrates the book's commitment to serving customers rather than merely selling to them. This diverse background enables the book to address universal business challenges while providing industry-specific applications. The systems have been tested across economic cycles, regulatory changes, and technological disruptions. Availability and Implementation Support Supplementary resources include The Med Chat Advisor, an AI-powered assistant available through ChatGPT Plus for cosmetic surgery research, demonstrating practical application of the book's principles. Additional training and implementation support are available through specialized boot camps and online resources. The book serves as both a standalone guide and entry point to a comprehensive system of AI-enhanced business tools designed specifically for solo entrepreneurs and small business owners seeking to compete with larger enterprises through superior customer contact management. About the Author Angela Chatterfield brings over three decades of entrepreneurial experience spanning television production, plastic surgery practice management, and digital marketing. She founded Elite Med Listings in 2015 and developed The Med Chat platform, which has cataloged over 2,500 patient questions. 'Instant Response Revolution: The Solo Entrepreneur's AI Advantage' is available on and includes comprehensive implementation guides and actionable frameworks that readers can immediately apply to their businesses. Cheena Nicolas [email protected] To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Cision Canada
16-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Yellow Pages Canada Confirms Leadership Transition to Sherilyn King as President and CEO Français
, July 16, 2025 /CNW/ - Yellow Pages Limited (TSX: Y) (the "Company" or "YP"), a leading Canadian digital media and marketing company, announced today that Sherilyn King has officially stepped into the role of President and Chief Executive Officer, succeeding David A. Eckert, who retired on July 15, 2025. This announcement follows the Company's Press Release issued on March 6, 2025, which announced Mr. Eckert's planned retirement and named Sherilyn as his successor after a thorough internal succession process. Sherilyn brings nearly 30 years of experience with Yellow Pages, having joined in 1996 as a Sales Administration Clerk. Her leadership journey has spanned key departments including sales, marketing, customer service, operations, and product innovation. Before stepping into her new role, she was Senior Vice President Sales, Marketing and Customer Service. "It is a privilege to lead an organization that has played such a vital role in the success of local Canadian businesses for over a century," said Sherilyn King. "As we write this new chapter, we are committed to delivering real, measurable value to our customers and helping small and medium-sized businesses grow through effective digital marketing solutions." Building on its legacy as a print directory, Yellow Pages has transformed into a national leader in digital marketing solutions. While continuing to publish its iconic print directories, which remain valuable in many communities, the Company helps small and medium-sized businesses navigate digital transformation with confidence and focus on what matters most: growing their business. Through strong partnerships with Microsoft Advertising, Meta, Canada Post, Wix, Google, and more, Yellow Pages ensures businesses are discoverable across all major platforms. At the same time, as artificial intelligence transforms the marketing landscape, the company offers trusted expertise and innovative tools to help business owners navigate change and thrive in an increasingly complex world. Sherilyn King's appointment marks a rare and inspiring career progression story - rising from entry-level to the highest leadership role within a publicly traded Canadian company. The Company looks forward to her leadership as it continues to innovate and support local businesses nationwide. The Company also extends its deep appreciation to Mr. David A. Eckert for his eight years of transformative leadership. During his tenure, Yellow Pages underwent a remarkable financial and operational turnaround, regaining stability and sustained profitability. He significantly strengthened the funding position of the Company's defined benefit pension plan and led a high-performing management team that repositioned Yellow Pages for long-term success. Thanks to Mr. Eckert's leadership, the Company is well positioned to continue delivering value to shareholders and helping local businesses connect with their communities. About Yellow Pages Limited Yellow Pages Limited (TSX: Y) is a Canadian digital media and marketing company that creates opportunities for buyers and sellers to interact and transact in the local economy. Yellow Pages holds some of Canada's leading local online properties including Canada411 and The Company also holds the YP, Canada411, and 411 mobile applications and Yellow Pages print directories. For more information, visit
Time Business News
08-07-2025
- Business
- Time Business News
SEO for Local Businesses: A Step-by-Step Guide to Local Rankings
Local search engine optimization (SEO) helps small businesses reach people who live nearby and are ready to buy. If you pay attention to local signals like your address, business hours, and ratings, you might be able to do better than bigger competitors in your community. This book will explain why your business needs SEO, what local SEO is, and how to use it to get more people to see your website. Search engine optimization is what SEO stands for. It means making changes to your website and online presence so that search engines like Google rank you higher for searches that are relevant to you. What does SEO do for your business? An optimized site brings in targeted visits, builds trust, and increases sales without the need for constant ad spending. SEO is important for more than just getting organic visitors. People trust the top results when they look for goods or services. SEO also: Makes the site easier to use by loading faster and having a clear structure. Being in featured snippets and local packs gives your brand more authority. Brings in traffic for a long time, unlike sponsored advertising, which stops bringing in traffic as soon as you stop paying for them. A complete and correct Google My Business (GMB) profile is the most important part of local SEO. What makes Google My Business so important for SEO? GMB listings show up in local packs, maps, and side panels, making it easy for people to find your address, phone number, and reviews. Make sure your listing has: The right name, address, and phone number for your firm (NAP). Pictures of your place and goods in high resolution. Regular updates about sales, events, and other news. Answering consumer reviews can make people more interested. You can reach marketers in your area by picking the right keywords. Put city or neighbourhood names, such as 'digital marketing company in Chennai,' in your page titles, headings, and meta descriptions. Make the on-page parts work better: Title Tags: Marketers in [City]' Use H2s for groups of services and H3s for single services in your headers. Content: Talk about any events or landmarks in the area. URLs that are short and descriptive, like Getting citations from local directories might help your business listings in search engines and online. Search engines can assess your credibility by putting your information in an SEO firm directory. Important tips: Claim profiles on the website of your city's chamber of commerce. Put your business on well-known sites like Yelp, Yellow Pages, and niche directories. Make sure that the NAP information is the same for every SEO company listing. Check your listings regularly to make sure they are up to date and don't have any duplicates. Google can trust your data if you keep it the same on many SEO company listing sites. For a competitive edge in local search, don't forget about smaller directories that are relevant to your industry. Using the right tools could help you work more efficiently. For small businesses, here are three good ways to do SEO: Google Analytics lets you look at how visitors act and how many of them convert so you can optimize your strategy. Google Search Console lets you find problems with indexing and make searches work better. Moz Local lets you keep track of and manage your local listings on a number of SEO business listing networks. These SEO tools for small businesses let you find chances, fix problems, and track progress without spending a lot of money. BrightLocal checks reviews and rankings in your area. Whitespark finds places in your area where you can get citations. Ubersuggest: Gives you ideas for keywords and analyses backlinks. These platforms work together to give you all the tools you need for effective SEO marketing for small businesses. Check out where you are now. Make a list of all the directories that are already there and check to see if they are all the how well your website works on mobile and desktop. Make a list of all the directories that are already there and check to see if they are all the how well your website works on mobile and desktop. Researching Keywords Find out what words your customers use to long-tail and location-specific terms at the top of your list. Find out what words your customers use to long-tail and location-specific terms at the top of your list. Optimising on-page Use local keywords to change the names, headers, and meta descriptions of your schema markup for your business's address, phone number, and hours of operation. Use local keywords to change the names, headers, and meta descriptions of your schema markup for your business's address, phone number, and hours of operation. Making Content Write blog posts about things going on in your town and local case studies. Use everything you know about ' seo marketing for small businesses ' to make helpful rules. Write blog posts about things going on in your town and local case studies. Use everything you know about ' ' to make helpful rules. Citation and Link Building Get links from local news sites, bloggers, and people in your listed in local directories and on chamber websites. Get links from local news sites, bloggers, and people in your listed in local directories and on chamber websites. Management of Reviews Ask happy customers to leave good reviews on Facebook and immediately to both good and bad things. Ask happy customers to leave good reviews on Facebook and immediately to both good and bad things. Tracking Performance Check local rankings, organic traffic, and conversion rates every your plan based on what the data shows. When money is tight, local SEO is a cheap way for small businesses to compete with bigger ones. You get the following benefits by showing up in local search results: More people are coming in and calling. Better visibility for your brand in your town. Higher conversion rates: People who look for things in their area often want to buy them. These benefits show why local SEO is so important for the growth and success of small businesses. SEO made things fair for everyone. By giving more relevant material, small companies can do better than national brands in searches for things in their area. The importance of SEO for small businesses is: Savings on costs compared to paid advertising. Traffic growth throughout time. More trust: Customers trust organic rankings more than ads. Local SEO is one of the smartest ways for small businesses to stand out in their community. It helps you get found by people who are nearby and ready to take action. With the right steps, like setting up your Google My Business, using local keywords, and getting listed in directories, you can see real results without spending a fortune. And if you ever feel stuck, teaming up with a trusted SEO company in Chennai can take the load off your shoulders. When you combine local SEO with smart digital marketing, you're setting your business up for long-term growth right where it matters most in your local area. TIME BUSINESS NEWS
