Direct marketing is an effective way to connect with potential customers in a measurable way. Mailing lists could win or break your business. It is the single most important tool to contact the people who will increase revenue. Building the list is a crucial process any business owner needs to overcome, establishing your criteria will help you get in the process of choosing in a much easier phase.
A Mailing list broker is someone who usually represents one or more data lists, and they sell the information on the behalf of the owners for a commission. The brokers serve as your guide to this world, providing relevant lists of prospects for your marketing efforts. Evaluating email vendors and finding the right partners require careful due diligence. Choosing someone you can trust to do their job well will save you time and money in the long run.
Mailing list brokers provide contact information for people and businesses at work and at home so you can market to them. With thousands of response lists to choose from, they can help you find the best list by understanding your target market. For example, they can help you to find a list of consumers or businesses who have purchased products or services similar to yours, or who fall into the demographic profile or income range you are trying to reach.
Business and Consumer Mailing Lists:
Depending on which section of the market you are trying to reach, brokers can provide both consumer and business mailing lists. Business lists are compiled from data collected from public business directories, annual reports, government agencies, and postal information. Consumer lists are compiled from sources such as phone directories auto registration, driver’s licenses, and government records such as birth certificates and marriage licenses.
Out of the many contact databases, available in the market today, you need to find the one which really fits your need. If you are not willing to waste the money, it is better to research about the provider before actually buying it.
Choosing a Mailing List or Email List Broker
- If possible, look for a broker who has experience working with clients who target the same type of customer you’re trying to reach.
- History of good service: You can search about customer’s testimonies. Once you’ve figured out which service meets your needs, you need to seek for the reviews of providers.
- See a sample of the data: Before buying the list you need to make sure how it looks like, what information is included of the contacts and check the accuracy of the list.
- Is the broker accessible: Do they call you back? Do they answer your emails in a timely fashion? Do you feel they are trying to build a relationship for future business endeavors? Good brokers realize that relationship building offers other opportunities down the road.
- Quality data: You should ask how the data is compiled and how often it is updated.
- Pricing: Good data comes with a cost. Give your budget for the campaign up front so the broker will know if he can accommodate you and your needs.
Also, ask the broker about their customer service and satisfaction policies. Brokers ultimately stand behind their services, should have the list of problems. If you get anything other than the list purchased, the broker should do whatever it takes to replace it immediately or provide a full or partial refund.
