OK.

All of this Postcard and mailer talk in the other thread has me really wondering....

Where does everyone get the mailing lists / addresses to reach their target clients?

I am a newbie so was wondering what everyone else uses...

Thanks!

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-Becky
Life is 10% what happens, 90% how you react.

My first "list" came from a local business newspaper that posted all the new business filings in the county for the month of July, 2007. It was 172 names and I gained 1 new client out of that list (had to format it myself - not a big deal in word, then create a mail merge).

I compiled my next "list" from checking the legal classifieds in our local paper daily and creating my own list of new business listings for a 1-month period - no new clients from that list but it keeps growing.

I got a list from www.infousa.com - I haven't tested it out, yet but they offered 100 leads free as a "try us out" deal so I'll give their list a shot and let everyone know how it went. I received a list of all 1-office attorneys in our county (only 64).

I will also be placing a monthly ad in our local county attorney bar association newsletter - it's only $25/month for a small ad so I'll try it for 6 months.

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Lily Chambers, The Virtual Office Goddess, LLC
Author "How to Do Your Own Small Business Bookkeeping"

I've created my list from the Chamber of Commerce directory for each chamber we are a member of. Everything is entered into Microsoft Access, so I can mail merge with whatever I'm sending out. Total, I have over 700 names in it so far, and continue to add to it.

Awesome ideas. Thanks everyone! I think I am going to have to look into the COC idea right away, seems like an awesome resource all around.

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-Becky
Life is 10% what happens, 90% how you react.

As a Chamber member I have access to their member directory. It is a list of names and addresses of over 600 small businesses within 10 miles of my house (I live on a small island on the Gulf of Mexico in Florida). I also keep adding names of new businesses as I drive around and see new signs. I know this is the hard way, but it gets me more names.

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Pam
www.adminetcetera.com

You also might want to try your local library. If they are online - there should be some resources there. When I lived in NY - I was able to compile quite a large mailing list - free!

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Bridget Janiak
www.OrganizedVirtualAssistance.com

I have used infousa on several occasions when I worked at the bank. They have a extensive search area that will let you map out almost exactly what you are looking for. I do remember it being pretty pricey for a one time search, but if you think you can use it a lot then I believe that they have year long commitments. Still really costly though.

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Kristina ~Success Office Solutions
Our Solutions Equal Your Success!

Originally Posted by Office Goddess

My first "list" came from a local business newspaper that posted all the new business filings in the county for the month of July, 2007. It was 172 names and I gained 1 new client out of that list (had to format it myself - not a big deal in word, then create a mail merge). I compiled my next "list" from checking the legal classifieds in our local paper daily and creating my own list of new business listings for a 1-month period - no new clients from that list but it keeps growing.

I love this idea! I may have to check our paper and see if I can find the area where they have this listed. Thanks!

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Shawna

Chamber idea is excellent for local businesses. Thank you for the ideas getting this list together.

I usually try to use the classifieds in my local newspaper and small community papers.

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Smile cause you can-laugh because you want to! ~Cat

I love these ideas and will have to check them all out. I am a newbie so my first list actually came from a service sponsored by D&B called Selectory you have a 7 day trial in which you can conduct as many searches as you would like in as many ways as you would like. The only problem with this is not all businesses are registered with the D&B but it gave me a good start.

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Tyeshia Harper
Guardian Virtual Assistance

I use Hoovers, which is another D&B company

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Rebecca Thompson
CLR Virtual Connection * fanTABulous fan pages

D&B products are great and the lists tend to be scrubbed fairly well. Other list companies are OneSource and The List Company.

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LaTosha Johnson
http://www.targetstars.com

I am terrible at marketing myself, and i aggravates me that I don't do it very well. But I am determined to get my business up and running, so I really love all these wonderful ideas. I guess I'm just going to have to suck it up and get busy. Thanks guys!

I am new at all this marketing stuff. Just want to make sure I understand what you are all saying in this post.

You get these lists of small businesses and send out packages introducing yourself and hope to attain new clients ?

If this is correct what a GREAT concept that I totally didn't even think of!

Please someone let me know so I can get all this excitment I am feeling right now under control! LOL

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Debb Hill
DLH Admin. Support