I created a great mailing list at my job and had no clue I would be pursuing this. I was laid off in June and left most everything without making any copies at all and I had 2 days I could have done it. Oh, well. Live & learn!

But I'm going to start putting one together from mine and the surrounding counties.

Has anyone used their own personal emailing list in soliciting work????

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Carrie Hawk

Here are our thoughts on this, buying leads for us hasn't really ever worked out for what they are meant to be. We do all our own marketing-we call it Appreciation Marketing by sending out Post Cards to businesses, and also an Occasional Greeting Card, even sometimes gifts to past or current clients.

Focus on where and what businesses you would like to be working with. Send them a card and most importantly follow up is key with a phone call. Don't give up on just contacting them once. Their reason for not doing business right away with you may change. We do have a link on our website for getting more Referrals if you'd like to review it.

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Born Free Concierge
Robert & Kathy Neubauer

I would also like to suggest your local Bar Association. They usually have a booklet with all Attorneys and legal-related businesses.

I have used my own personal email list - absolutely NO LUCK = but I wouldn't let that stop me -- network/market/build business and personal relationship with everyone you come in contact with in ALL venues - in person, email, internet etc.

Carrie! That's one of those highly intuitive things! Bet you're glad you did! Here's the question I have for everyone on this - when you do your followup...do you have any great techniques for getting past the gatekeepers...which I'm sure 9 times out of 10 they are admins or at very least receptionists... which I would imagine would make us screened even more because of a perceived threat?

Of course - we know we could be a staff admin's best friend - especially if they are the ones recommending us!

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Pam Blackman - The Process Coach
Get more done in less time by streamlining!

Originally Posted by On My Wings

Carrie! That's one of those highly intuitive things! Bet you're glad you did! Here's the question I have for everyone on this - when you do your followup...do you have any great techniques for getting past the gatekeepers...which I'm sure 9 times out of 10 they are admins or at very least receptionists... which I would imagine would make us screened even more because of a perceived threat? Of course - we know we could be a staff admin's best friend - especially if they are the ones recommending us!

When I worked in the law office, we hired out for transcriptions. I never had time to do them, I was too busy with all the other office stuff. The only transcription I did in the office was dictation, which was usually a one page letter to some important person (lol).

I think VA's would really be helpful to staff and I would hope that most would see it that way as well.

Read Lily's post in this thread, Do you have a direct mail marketing list?

for info on ReferenceUSA, a database many libraries have access to. I was able to download the records I wanted from home at no charge. The search criteria is great!

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Lezly Harrison
Laserdog Productions - Code that Doesn't Bite

Reference USA is a great way to build a direct mail marketing list, available through your county library with your library card number. You can search businesses geographically, by income, by size, or by industry. I sent out postcards (I got free from Vista Print) using this method. All it cost me was my time and the cost of the postcard stamps.

Originally Posted by SMF Business Support

Reference USA is a great way to build a direct mail marketing list, available through your county library with your library card number. You can search businesses geographically, by income, by size, or by industry. I sent out postcards (I got free from Vista Print) using this method. All it cost me was my time and the cost of the postcard stamps.

I am just amazed at all the great information on this topic. I will give this a try as well!!!

I was just debating buying a list for my first direct mail campaign, instead I think I will try the suggestions in this thread. Thanks!