Re: Do you have a direct mail marketing list?
I took Lily's advice & use ReferenceUSA. I have access from home, which is really nice. The criteria selection for businesses is pretty extensive. You can get a really focused list.
I mixed my list up, too. I have attorneys, accountants, caterers, landscapers, builders, dance studios, photographers, insurance agents, etc. I take the additional step of looking each business up in DEX. If they aren't in DEX, I don't send them a card. I hope this additional & time consuming (!) step weeds out a lot of returned cards.
I calculated that I can afford to send out 70 cards a week. Each week, for 8 weeks, I will mail cards to 70 of the businesses on my list. Starting week 9 I will recycle the weekly lists & send each business a second card & in another 8 weeks, a third card. After the third card, I'll evaluate the response I got & then make a decision if I want to continue with this. My card is really cute & distinctive, so I know they'll recognize it after 2-3 times. Now whether they'll call is another matter!
At a 2% return rate, that would net approximately 11 clients over a 6 month period. I would be thrilled with results that good! Even if I get half that, I'll probably do it again.
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