Yahoo Directory, BOTW, BBB and Business.com for local SEO?

[bronxpad]

I've heard conflicting reports about using these paid directories for SEO purposes. I am a local Realtor with a website and blog. My site is on page one but near the bottom since the national sites dominate the top. Would these directories help me for local seo purposes? Does Google consider these paid links and therefore devalues them? How difficult is it to get into these directories since they can decline a submission and there goes my money? Are these directories worth the money? In total it would be like $1200 do get on all. I've already done what I believe to be a lot of good seo practices. Emphasis on I believe since I'm no expert. Just learning as I go. Now I'm up against the big brands in real estate and meet to compete. Any tips if these directories are worth it and anything else I should look to do?

[RankStealer]

I have used almost all of these directories that you have mentioned.....they do have some positive effect imo but not that much and probably no where near enough to move you up above the bigger guys.

You need to get more authorative links if you want to beat out national sites.

Other than that you need to write better content than them and more frequently so more people link to you.

Use site explorer and see if you can see any sites linking to them that you could get to link to you too at the very least that is a start....then look for other sites that are in your industry that can link to you.

Try and get in to a local newspaper, local radio etc.  You need as many links as possible.