Yelp Official Blog

What's a Yelp Passport - and how do I get one?

Over the years, Yelp has done a ton of great parties, events, restaurant, Happy Hour, gym, spa promotions and more in the 40+ Yelp communities we have worldwide. But we know there are MANY amazing local businesses in our own neighborhoods from dry cleaners, yoga instructors, optometrists, pooch pamperers, refrigerator repairmen, the list goes on! While we use these businesses everyday, they don’t always make for a desirable party destination (well, most of the time). So we got to thinking, what could we do where businesses of all shapes, sizes and types could participate in Yelp events?

Then, light bulb! Passport to Yelp was born.

Started last year, Passport to Yelp is a promotion that highlights a neighborhood and the businesses that make it special. Yelpers can download their own Yelp Passport that is chock full of deals and steals offered by participating businesses and can be used all week long. In fact, since we started Passport to Yelp, we’ve had over 70 small businesses participate in cities including New York, Boston and Washington DC. What’s important about Passport to Yelp is that everybody wins -- businesses get new customers through their door and yelpers get to (re)discover what makes their city so awesome. Aw, group hug!

But what hoods are next? LA is hosting not one, but TWO Passport events the week of August 2nd in Redondo Beach and Little Tokyo. Yelpers can take advantage of 15% nail treatments, 50% off concert tickets, “High Tea” on the skinny and much, much more at the over 50 businesses you can find by downloading your own Yelp Passport or searching for “Passport” via our Yelp iPhone app.

For those cities we haven’t hit yet, don’t fret! Our Community Managers are working with business owners and small business associations to identify hoods coast to coast that are interested in participating. If you have suggestions on future cities or are a business interested in learning more, let us know here!

Yelp Names Vlado Herman CFO

Faster than BP’s falling share price.
More powerful than a bull market on steroids.
Able to leap across the Atlantic in a single bound.

Look! Up in the sky!

It's a bird. It's a plane. It's our new CFO!

 

Yes, it's Vlado Herman - financial strategist steeped in Silicon Valley culture who joined Yelp’s management team in December 2006 with powers and abilities far beyond those of mortal men.

This beloved suit was immediately embraced by the entire crew as a fun loving father figure who took the company’s finances by the horns and wrestled them to perfect order. Rising quickly through the ranks he took on everything from business planning to building out new offices, forecasting to employee benefits. Needless to say he has played an integral role in our company’s growth to date and we’re stoked that he’ll be a main character as Yelp’s storyline evolves.

Not even kryptonite can bring this Sup(H)erman down.

Sprichst du Yelp?

Das war ein aufregender Monat für Deutschland: Ein neuer Präsident, der sensationelle Auftritt bei der WM, und jetzt ... Yelp.de!

Ja, ganz richtig: auch Deutsche können jetzt Beiträge über ihre Lieblingsläden lesen und schreiben, über die besten Boutiquehotels, Biergärten und über die besten BMW-Werkstätten. Über eine Currywurstbude in Berlin, einen ausgeflippten Spielzeugladen (nicht nur für Kinder!) oder einen kleinen Familiencafé in München. Wir freuen uns ganz besonders auf unsere zweite nicht-englischsprachige Seite, auch weil wir schon vor dem Launch ziemlich viele Besucher aus dieser Region verzeichnet haben. Die Deutschen sind weltweit für ihr wirtschaftliches und technisches Geschick bekannt, und wir denken, dass Yelp hier super ankommen wird!
 

Wie also wird das Ganze in Deutschland funktionieren? Ähnlich wie schon bei Yelp France haben wir die ganze Seite auf Deutsch übersetzt, und das wird auch die Standardansicht sein. Optional kann Yelp.de allerdings auch in allen anderen Sprachen anzeigt werden, die Yelp unterstützt. Das gilt auch für die übrigen Seiten von Yelp, d.h. User können sich die englischen Seiten auf deutsch oder französisch anzeigen lassen und in diesen Sprachen auch ihre Bewertungen abgeben. Im Moment bieten wir zwar noch keine Übersetzungen von Bewertungen an – aber dieses Feature steht bei uns ganz oben auf der Liste. Den Anfang in Deutschland machen Yelp Communities mit Community Managern in München und Berlin; und wir sind schon sehr gespannt darauf, wie die Deutschen Yelp.de annehmen werden, als ein ganz einzigartiges Verzeichnis von großartigen Unternehmen vor Ort.

Und wo sonst könnt Ihr Yelp demnächst erwarten? Schwer zu sagen im Moment. In weiteren Ländern vertreten zu sein, ist für uns jedoch eine von drei Top-Prioritäten dieses Jahres. Wir legen ja gerade erst so richtig los.

Hot on Yelp: 50% off Salon and Spa Services!

If you live in Houston, prepare to get gorgeous for less – as Hot on Yelp returns! Get pampered and prettified at some of the city’s highest-rated businesses with 15 sizzling specials on highlights, massages, facials, waxing, laser hair removal, and more... all half off the regular price.

These divine deals can be purchased in the form of certificates for one week only: from Wednesday, July 21st through the 28th*. They can be redeemed for up to a full year though, so you can indulge in pure spa bliss at your leisure. You can also buy extras to give as gifts to friends, family, coworkers, your significant other, etc. Now that's a good-looking promo!

From manicures to manzillians, the heat is on. Click here for more deets!

*Limited supply. Buy now!

Day in the Life of an Account Executive

A new addition to our "Day in the Life of a Yelp Employee" series is Jenn H. from the Yelp sales team. Based in Yelp's new Scottsdale office, Jenn discusses the many opportunities she's had with the company (uh, jet setter anyone?), what it's like to be a part of Yelp's fastest growing office and working side by side with Chewbacca and of course, how she helps business owners across the nation to learn about Yelp and how they can leverage it to connect with customers.

What did you do before coming to Yelp?     
Before Yelp I worked for an Equipment Leasing firm in Southern California. My company provided competitive lease financing products to businesses (snooze). Although I gained some important sales experience, I knew ultimately I wanted a career that I was passionate about and one with which I could see a real future... that's where Yelp came into play!

How did you first hear about Yelp and the job opening?
I found out about the job through a friend that worked in the New York office. Once I read about the description and saw that I would be working with local businesses, I knew the position would be a great fit for me. I wanted to utilize my prior sales experience but also be involved in a company that was a disruptive technology. After some grueling interviews, I was extended an offer. I left my home state of California and flew to New York to start my Yelp career. Little did I know where Yelp would take me! I lived in New York for about 9 months and was then given the opportunity to help open Yelp's newest (and largest) satellite office in Scottsdale, AZ.  It's been an incredible experience taking an office from 0 to 120 employees in a 6 month period. I've been exposed to different parts of the business and have grown my own career immensely!  

What's your title at Yelp and how long have you been with the company?

I started as an Account Executive about 15 months ago. I sold sponsored search results to local businesses to help them gain more exposure to consumers in their area. After 9 months, I was offered the opportunity to relocate to Scottsdale and play an integral role in opening the new office. And now, just recently, I was promoted to Training Manager -- that means in addition to selling, I help train and on-board our new hires here in Arizona! 

 

What comprises a typical day for you?

A lot of my job is educating business owners about the power of Yelp -- because most of them are so busy running their business, it's helpful to have someone like me ensure their business is getting the most out of Yelp. I walk business owners through Yelp's Targeted Advertising Program and demonstrate to them how Yelp will get them more exposure to their current and new customers. Additionally, now that I'm a Training Manager, I work with new Account Executives to walk them through the process of sales at Yelp and help them learn the ropes. One of my favorite parts about my work day is that each day is unpredictable. I never know who I am going to talk to and as a result, I get to learn about so many unique and interesting businesses, people and meet a lot of entrepreneurs that educate me, too.

What's the BEST part of working for Yelp?

I love that there's endless opportunity to grow my career at Yelp. We have a structured Yelp Sales Development Program that provides Account Executives a clear path to gaining more responsibilities, more perks and the ability to make more money. The Development Program is fantastic because it shows you where you stand, lays out your goals, and really trains you as you move into your next position in the company. Getting to be part of an innovative Web 2.0 company that's transforming the local business landscape is pretty darn cool too.

What is your favorite perk at Yelp?

The best perk is definitely the people and culture... and I suppose our brand new office with shuffleboard, ping pong and Rock Band. But truly, I get to work side by side with amazing, talented people every day.

What has been your favorite memory at Yelp?

My favorite memory... how do I choose? I think I'd have to say going to Puerta Vallarta for Yelp's President's Club trip. A few times a year Yelp takes the top sales performers on an all expenses paid trip. It's tough to earn, you have to really work your tail off, but it was well worth it! At Yelp you are rewarded for your hard work and accomplishments, and the President's Club trip is one of the best rewards you can earn. Needless to say I'm working even harder this time around to qualify for the next trip! 

 

What separates Yelp from other places you've worked?

Yelp is forward thinking in how it values their employees and company culture. The company is invested in my professional development and I get both formal and informal training on a daily basis. I was promised three things when I started at Yelp: I would make money, have fun, and grow my career. 15 months later all of those things hold true. 

Finally, what would be your one piece of advice for someone interested in your role?

To be successful as an Account Executive you need to be motivated, a good communicator and passionate. It's key that you be open to developing and growing yourself. Working at Yelp is not a J-O-B where you clock your card and sit around all day - it's a career. I come to the office excited about my day and my opportunities to learn and grow. If you are willing to put in the time to work hard and develop yourself, then Yelp is a great fit for you!

4th of July Weekend Fun: Independence, Hot Dogs and... Android Updates!

It's been no secret that an updated Yelp Android app has been on its way and our team have been working night and day to make this one pop! Because we're particularly proud of this release, we couldn't let you guys go away for a long weekend without letting you rock Monocle at a BBQ, hunt down the nearest convenience mart for a bag of ice or get your Duke on at Raging Waters with your Yelp Android app!

So what are you getting in this new release? Well, we'd say it's Christmas in July because our engineers packed this update full of awesome. Android lovers can now enjoy:

• Check-ins You'll be able to share these to Facebook, too (Twitter, coming soon!)
• Quick Tips
• Royalty and badges for check-ins
• Monocle
• User profile pages
• New home screen

Update it or download it now and let us know what you think!