I was wondering where or how to get a mailing list on a very low budget.

Thanks

Low budget option = use a current version of your community yellow pages

I know some sites like VistaPrint sell lists as well but the rates are dependent on bulk purchase and can get expensive per-listing for smaller batches of info.

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In my experiences buying lists can not only get your domain blacklisted quickly from unsuspecting individuals but they also don't reach your targeted audience. Have you had good results with list buying Tess?

I have always had MUCH better results building my own lists.

You could do a little research and build your own. I do this a lot for campaigns. List building can be a little time consuming until you figure out how it works but a list of 100,000 people you bought may or not be interested in you and your services while a list of 5,000 could yield genuine leads.

If you want to build your own here is a few tips:
Look for related topic websites with mailing lists
Setup a newsletter sign up on your website (newsletters are lists!)
Offer incentive to sign up such as a free report or ebook.
Check on Alexa to see the generated traffic of other related sites.

Then even if you only mail your recent articles out once a month or quarterly you have a list of legitimate people who fit your niche and want your services!

Lily taught me a good way to reach out to my local community. Which is use your local Library and log on to the ReferenceUSA data base. It is free, but not free since you pay your library card fee

Andrea

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Action Jackson Virtual Assistant|

Thanks this is very helpful information

Originally Posted by Stein Web Services

In my experiences buying lists can not only get your domain blacklisted quickly from unsuspecting individuals but they also don't reach your targeted audience. Have you had good results with list buying Tess? I have always had MUCH better results building my own lists. You could do a little research and build your own. I do this a lot for campaigns. List building can be a little time consuming until you figure out how it works but a list of 100,000 people you bought may or not be interested in you and your services while a list of 5,000 could yield genuine leads. If you want to build your own here is a few tips: Look for related topic websites with mailing lists Setup a newsletter sign up on your website (newsletters are lists!) Offer incentive to sign up such as a free report or ebook. Check on Alexa to see the generated traffic of other related sites. Then even if you only mail your recent articles out once a month or quarterly you have a list of legitimate people who fit your niche and want your services!

Good and accurate advice for an e-campaign - but this is in reference to direct mail marketing

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I got a local Chamber of Commerce membership book, and then built my own list using that. Took me forever to do, but now that it's done I can use it forever, and it didn't cost me anything!

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Kathy Harmacek, Your Virtual Aide
http://www.your-virtual-aide.com

I too have used my local chamber membership book as well as the business cards that I have collected at networking events. Those have helped.

Good luck in whatever you decide

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Margaret Salmond, Bay Area VA
http://www.bayareava.info

Originally Posted by Action Jackson VA

It is free, but not free since you pay your library card fee Andrea

You have to pay for library cards now?

Boy, it's been a while since I've stepped foot inside of a library... lol

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Stephanie
New VA in the research phase

I recently met with the Small Business Development Center which I was referred to by my local Chamber of Commerce. During my meeting he suggested pulling a list of all the companies in the area with 5 or fewer employees (as these would be most likely to need a VA). Well, I received a list with over 3,000 names. I've of course narrowed it down by company type and just sent out my first 100 mailers. (keeping my finger crossed for some postive results).
Anyway, this list was FREE and in excel so it was super easy to print mailing labels. Your local Chamber is a great place for free resources.

I absolutely love ReferenceUSA because of the free factor. You might also try Zapdata by D&B (this one is not free but I have found it to be somewhat more accurate than ReferenceUSA).

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LaTosha Johnson
http://www.targetstars.com

This is an excellent idea. I actually have a library card and am able to log on from home, it takes you right to the database and you don't have to leave your home office.

Thank you so much!

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Tip Top Virtual Solutions
http://tiptopvs.co.cc

I think the yellow pages is a great idea. Since businesses have to pay to advertise in the yellow pages you should get less returns if you use the newest phone book.
Great idea

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Debra Hayter
Seaboard Business Services

I am creating a mailing list using the yellow pages. Thanks for all of the advice guys. I will look into the Chamber of Commerce in my area.

How did you find the businesses with 5 or fewer employees? Were they part of the Chamber of Commerce or did you use some other means to search for them?