Getting ‘Classy’ online with Dallas Voice

LGBT newspaper introduces a new online classifieds section that includes pictures and video and integrates with social media

DAVID TAFFET  |  Staff Writer
taffet@dallasvoice.com

“No one else is doing what we’re doing,” says Dallas Voice Classified Sales Director Greg Hoover, who has checked dozens of other newspaper websites to make sure he’s got it right when he talks about the Voice’s new online classified ads service.

“We’re launching a new product known as Classy, a gay online marketplace,” Hoover notes, calling Classy a “new, updated version of what classified ads should be.”

As Classified Account Manager Chance Browning points out, the new online classified service “combines multiple media formats,” allowing the advertiser to incorporate a link to an outside website, pictures, Youtube video and even video uploaded from a phone.

Advertisers can also add bold, color headlines and share their ads on social media sites, including Facebook and Twitter.

It’s all integrated into the system.

“And there’s plenty of room to describe your business,” Hoover adds, stressing how easy the process is: Register, build your online ad, review and edit it and you’re done.

“Normally, the price per ad will be $10 per week, including video and pictures,” Hoover says. “But to introduce the product, for a limited time, we’re offering Classy free for a four-week run.”

Browning says, “It’s the perfect time to try an ad under multiple headers to see what works best.”

To prevent spam and scams, all Classy ads will be reviewed first by the Classifieds Department staff. But the ads will be “live” and available online by the next business day. Hoover says he has a notebook full of scams that thieves have attempted over the years he has been with Dallas Voice so that he has an edge on making sure no scam ads go live on the website.

Those who advertise in the classified section of Dallas Voice’s print edition will automatically get a text ad on line. The newspaper’s organizational directory has also been incorporated into Classy with basic listings.

Print advertisers and organizations can upgrade their ads themselves to run pictures and videos with their online listings for free for four weeks during the introductory period.

Hoover explains that what distinguishes this product from others is that everything is included for one low price. Pictures and video carry extra charges on most other sites.

On some sites, categories such as “help wanted” refers to outside sites such as HotJobs.com or JobsResource.com. That won’t happen with Classy.

Hoover says most advertisers are coming to Dallas Voice Classifieds — and will choose to use Classy — because they are looking for someone who understands their needs.

“You want someone who understands the LGBT community,” he says. “Whether the person they’re looking for — a doctor, an attorney, a plumber, a carpenter — is gay or not, you know they have a comfort level with the gay community because they are advertising in the gay newspaper specifically to reach gay potential customers.”

Hoover says that advertisers tell him repeatedly that they get a bigger response from their Dallas Voice ads than from other publications, including larger, daily newspapers. He says he hears from employers that they get more qualified applicants from Dallas Voice.

And that, Hoover says, that’s why Classy has adopted the slogan: “Keeping family in business and business in the family.”

To place your own classified ad, visit DallasVoice.com/Classy.