Jigsaw - business contact information databse, free membership - Virtual Assistant Forums

#1 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009

I ran across this a minute ago while doing some research for a client and thought I'd share it with those of you who are looking for good current resources to find contact and address information for businesses you want to market to.

Jigsaw

Here's what it says on their 'About' page:How Jigsaw Helps
If you're in sales, marketing or recruiting, Jigsaw will help you achieve your goals. Whether you need a few new Contacts a week or hundreds every month, Jigsaw has them. That's why over 500 corporations and more than 700,000 members turn to Jigsaw.
What is Jigsaw?
Jigsaw is an online directory of free, downloadable Company information and more than 12 million business Contacts. Every Jigsaw business Contact is complete with hard-to-find direct dials and email addresses, while each Company record gives the low down on Company size, location, and industry. Even better, you can join Jigsaw for FREE.
The Jigsaw Difference
Jigsaw is unique because members build and maintain our database. Think of it as an exchange of Contacts you have for Contacts you need. The more you contribute, the more you earn. That's it.
This makes the Jigsaw system self-correcting, rewarding you for doing what you would do on your own. Points are also awarded when you update incorrect Contacts or challenge bad Contacts, keeping the system timely and accurate. Everybody wins. Don't have time to contribute data? Premium plans are available.

[So I think the tradeoff, is that you'll need to add your own company info in order to access other company info.. but still, a reasonable idea and potentially useful resource!]

#2 (**permalink**) 07-07-2009

Wow, Tess, what an awesome resource! I've added it to my growing library of all things VAF/VA.

Thank you!

#3 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009

It is a cool site.....it works off of referrals...the more info you give them about people the more status and stuff you get free.

#4 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009

A word of caution - one of my former companies had a vendor do some work for them that involved disclosing the email addresses and titles for everyone. That vendor dropped it into Jigsaw and screwed up just about all of the information, so do at least some research on Google or LinkedIn to confirm that the person does still work for the company. I think I am still in Jigsaw as working for that company, too, so unless you are updating your own information in Jigsaw it won't track your job changes.

#5 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009

Great Site, Thanks Tess! I know what I will be doing tonight.

#6 (**permalink**) 07-08-2009

Originally Posted by J+L Consulting

A word of caution - one of my former companies had a vendor do some work for them that involved disclosing the email addresses and titles for everyone. That vendor dropped it into Jigsaw and screwed up just about all of the information, so do at least some research on Google or LinkedIn to confirm that the person does still work for the company. I think I am still in Jigsaw as working for that company, too, so unless you are updating your own information in Jigsaw it won't track your job changes.

Yes, as with anything that's user-managed there is plenty of room for error. What's great about the site though is that you can create an account and correct that information about yourself - and list your VA practice, if you so choose.

#7 (**permalink**) 07-09-2009

Thank you for the information, this is really great info for a va!

#8 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010

It is so weird that I came across this post now. I just found out about Jigsaw on Friday from my new client. He is a Marketing Consultant and he swears by this site and he had me sign up for it as well he thinks that it will really help my business.

#9 (**permalink**) 01-31-2010

Wow Tess. I'll have to check that one out.

#10 (**permalink**) 02-24-2010

Another wonderful resource, thank you!!

#11 (**permalink**) 11-11-2010

Seems like a useful website, thanks for posting!

#12 (**permalink**) 12-26-2010

Glad to know it's a useful link - I'd be curious to know if anyone has signed up and used the site?

#13 (**permalink**) 12-26-2010

I researched it for a client several months ago and we determined it probably wasn't worth much at the time. Previously, they had some bad press about using/gathering data in a rather unethical manner. They seemed to have cleaned up a bit from that, but then I believe they were bought out by another company this summer. I haven't checked on it lately though.

#14 (**permalink**) 01-13-2011

Good to know Kimberly - thanks for the follow up post. It seems like a neat concept, but I can see how the information could easily be abused... Where did you find the bad press? [just curious]

#15 (**permalink**) 01-14-2011

I think if you do a search on TechCrunch and on ReadWriteWeb, you'll come across a couple of articles.