Mailing Lists?
 

Is there a way to acquire or put together a mailing list without paying big bucks to a company that specializes in that?

I want to do a direct mail piece targeting renters in the Phoenix metro area.

Thanks!

Todd
http://www.arizonasfamilyrealtor.com

Re: Mailing Lists?
 

You can get misc. info & lists from your Local city/town offices Offline/Online usually for Free or a small fee...

A few other misc. Options/resources... Some Free... some Not...

http://www.melissadata.com/lookups/
http://www.melissadata.com/sitemap.htm
http://www.city-data.com/
http://www.infousa.com/
http://www.usadata.com/
http://www.leads.com/
http://www.goleads.com/
http://www.localleads.com/

Yes... there's some good Money in marketing niche Lists & Leads... :)

Just Ask Google... ;)

Phil

Re: Mailing Lists?
 

Todd,

Thanks for asking.

Down in the land that everyone forgot, 96% of apartments, flats, units, townhouses, duplexes, condos are rented.

Assume the same in the US.

So, drive around and see what you can see. Making your own list.

Michael Ross

Re: Mailing Lists?
 

Michael,

Good suggestion But I'm assuming that Todd's looking for Full names, addresses and other details...

Wouldn't driving around these days and getting access to those details be Almost impossible to Peek at and a cause for Suspiction? :)

Time and Money... You get what you Pay for... ;)

Maybe some Local rental Door knocking and Networking with an Entry form to a creative Contest/Realtor survey in exchange for their information...

Free Local list building...

For some Strange reason people love being interviewed in the street and giving their Opinions...

It's all in the Approach...

Phil

Re: Mailing Lists?
 

Thanks Phil!

I'll check out your links today, but this contest idea is awesome! Networking and building a mailing list at the same time... definitely worth investing in a nice little prize. I know a couple of small business owners that may allow me to put entry forms in their place of business as well (wouldn't be as targeted, but if I can build mailing and email lists even better).

Now, how do you seasoned sales pros here handle the "No Soliciting" policy that I know most of the apartment complexes around here have? I'm guessing the answer to be "ignore it" and knock on doors anyway. And since all I really need are a couple of addresses at each building, if I am asked to leave I can just add the other apartment numbers to build a list real quick.

You've definitely got me thinking, thanks again!

My husband (wisely, p'rhaps) censors my mail
 

.... which means that I came across something today which, just by chance, might help your cause :)

Because we're on the mailing list of one of the local realtors, I have started to get mail from them giving the latest listings in the area. What caught my attention was that they must have taken the Don Alm crash course in making their mail-outs a self-financing option.

The envelope which enclosed the leaflets opened out nicely - and what instantly caught my eye was the local adverts on the inside of the envelope. So currently, anyone requesting to be on a property mailing list from this estate agent is receiving ads for local businesses which might be of use when they move to the area.

Very cute ....

Now, depending on area, it might be that your local realtors mail out to prospective tenants - and there might be an opportunity for you to advertise with them.

Does that help any???

Best
Margaret

Re: Mailing Lists?
 

Todd,

Quantum Mail offers lots of different list options and I believe use of their consumer list is included if you do a mailing with them. They'll allow you to define a geographic area and mail to people within that neighborhood so that might be a quick way to get a hold of renters.

Think for a moment what other local businesses do business with local renters and how you can get access to them?

I'd start with storage facilities and pizza (or other delivery) restaurants for example. Develop some sort of free report or guide and see if you can have these folks deliver a flyer for you promoting your offer and you can build your own list this way. Just direct them to a web page where you ask for their contact info and you can either ask for just their email or their full mailing address if you want to mail them something.

Take a moment and think what other services you'd use if you were a renter (laundromat or dry cleaners for example??) and then work with those businesses to contact them and you'll have your own list together in no time.

Cheers,

Steve

Re: Mailing Lists?
 

Hi Todd,

Glad you like the idea...

Everybody should Keep in mind...

Getting Access to the Rental market can be Used and Applied to all sorts of Niche markets...

Think portable Fishbowls... People love putting their info into them and pulling out a Winning Prize... :)

Regarding the "No Soliciting" policy...

Re-work the marketing Concept into a Networking/Friendship relationship with Management and staff...

Where they'll be Glad to Help you...

You Scratch my back and I'll Scratch yours... ;)

Make it professional... Don't even mention the word Soliciting...

Surprisingly... Rental/Property managers are open to Promotional type ideas as long as there are Benefits for all parties involved...

I've personally used all kinds of Gift certificates, baskets and Quality Promotional coupons to Build & Develop great relationships...

People are all the same...

They Love being Appreciated... Think customer Appreciation Programs...

Phil