I wanted to post a question to the group on how you best go about obtaining your contacts and mailing information for when you are doing a lead generation mailing?

What methods have you used to acquire the contact information of addresses, phone numbers and e-mails?

I have done several methods in the past and will list some of them here. I am curious if there are other methods as well that have worked for others.

- Interenet searches: Sometime I can search for a topic like schools or cub scout troops and find the contact information I need to generate a nice list

- I have also cold called based on the phone book yellow page ads and built up a contact list in this fashion as well

I also know their are list you can purchase online, but many of these seem really prices very high to be out of my league.

Are there list online or directory books that are reasonably priced for the family show entertainer?

Any information or feedback on this topic would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

Depends on which list you want, really.

For example, I get school mailings lists (complete with address, phone, fax, email, number of students, principal names, etc.) for free from the internet.

I can buy a book of church mailing lists, without contact names, at my Christian book and music store.

I had to work hard to create my Christmas mailing list. Research. Getting rid of "pits."

For the malls, I used the phone book, for the whole province.

For festivals and fairs, I contacted Tourism for my province, and they send me a book with all dates, names of events, and contact numbers. The rest was my leg work.

The Gr8 DonaldD.

Donald:
Great information. Many thanks. I have done some of these you have mentioned but others you listed gave me some good ideas.

For the fairs I did last year, I looked online first and then contacted a lot of the local chambers of commerce. I like your idea of calling the tourism board in the area and asking them for information. Seems very logical yet it must have slipped my mind. DOAH!!! hehe

The Holiday shows lists I am starting to do is just a lot a research in papers and via the internet. I am finding a lot of information but will have to weed through it and sort it all out.

The school listings I have started but that I have had more problems with. I have been easily finding the schools and the principle names and addresses but having hard time with e-mails for them. It may get easier as I dig further through it.

Thanks for giving me some great ideas.

One way I have heard of building Christmas Party lists, is to go to your local library, and ask if they have a directory of businesses in your city. Some of those directories also tell you how many employees. For example, if you found a listing of local businesses with 50 or more employees, there is probably a good chance that they will have a kids Christmas party, and also an adult one.

Be sure to phone any contact numbers, and simply ask for the information you need in a very polite and pleasant manner. There is all sorts of information there for people who make an effort, and also remember to ask in the right way.

The Gr8 DonaldD.

Kyle,
I would reconmend doing paper mailing to schools. They are funny about internet usage. I sent 100 brochures and letters about 3 weeks ago and have gotten 5 very interested responces and a few more that didn't really go anywhere. So, that's about the right percentage. Meanwhile I have done 3 email mini campagins (probably about 100 addresses) and only got one responce and it didn't even book.
The problem with email marketing is: it's over done. I delete about 50 junk emails a day from my accounts and I'm told that is a low number. So, it would seem to me right now that going back to the old fashioned way (and more expensive, ugh) is the way to go right now.
Edd
Visit the Wizard of Sorts at http://www.wizardofsorts.com

Wizard:
Thanks for the information but in this post I was more on trying to determine means of how to obtain good contact information for the markets you want to send a mailing out to. How best do you go about aquiring the contact information you need to comprise your master list before doing any mailings?

Thanks also for your information and stats on mailing vs e-mails. I have tried both and so foar my mailings seem to be working better for better returns. I may just use e-mail for the clients I have already worked for who recognize my e-mail address. Then do my lead generation mailings with letters or post cards.

Donald:
Great stuff. I like the suggestion of using the library as a means of checking business directories. Is there any particular book or directory you would ask for that would have that information in it? I have never tried that myself but want to.

Kyle

Kyle,
Yeah, I realize I was alittle off topic but the discussion caused a quantom leap and I thought it was worth sharing. I know you weren't dogging me, so don't feel bad.
Edd

Thanks Edd:
I would never dogg anyone. =) Not a problem at all my friend. I thank you for sharing your information with me.

Southern California has so many phone books (my local library has about 40 of them) that I could make a career move going through the phone books of just those within 30 miles of me.

The state of California has a huge number of schools (about 6,500 at last count); a contact list will cost you $400, but it has everything.

I've not had much success with internet searches. One thing you might try that I have had success with is Economic Development Departments of Counties and Cities. They all keep track of their employers and you can get the names and addresses of the largest ones. My County publishes an annual list with all the information I need. It's free to look at and one morning will give you loads of info...at least where I'm at.

I have bought lists and they can be pricey, but they have paid for themselves. Direct mail doesn't work here, nore does e-mail. Calling the prospect and FAXING the info is the ticket in my market. Your mileage may vary.

Steven

Steven:

Thanks for the great and useful information. I have a few questions for you that you may be able to help me with.

- When you go through the phone book, are you just getting listings and phone numbers to make a direct call to them? Or do you get the address and send to them a letter or postcard?

- What is this school contact list that you talk about? How can you get one and who puts that out? What information is included in it?

- can you talk more about the County listings? Where did you get it? What information is included?

Thanks so much in advance.

Kyle

Kyle,

Sorry it's taken so long to get back here...I forgot I had posted here and was just looking at my past history and saw your questions. So here are my answers.

I get the phone numbers and call the company and get a FAX number and contact name. I'm usually talking to a receptionist and they get those phone calls several times a day, so there is no fight...they just give it out mindlessly...most are friendly and eager to give you the information. I next FAX them the info and then follow up with a phone call. Then a letter thanking them and giving them a business card.

The California Department of Education publishes on CD an annual list of every public/private institution in the state with every piece of information you'll need. (school name, grades, No. students, principal's name, phone number, fax number, e-mail, web-site, address, county, district, etc.)

I have a local job development center downtown from me. It's a county operation whose sole purpose is to aid small businesses in every aspect imaginable. It is staffed by retired businessmen, attorneys, and a representative of the Small Business Adminstration. There are four computers there that have all the software you would want (the office opened after I had bought all of mine.. ) to use for free. It has a library and is linked to every library in the state; so you can check out any business book that's available in the system. In that library, they have publications of local counties that publish annually data relative to employers...size, contact info, revenue dollars, etc. I get this info and attack it as above.

Hope this answers your questions.

Steven

Steven:
That is great information. I may have to try some of that out. See if any of my local libraries carry those resources etc.

I am trying now to get lead generation information for fairs and local festivals in my area and attack that in January.

I did it last year mainly off of internet research and will start that way as well. Do you know of any other ways to get contact information for fairs and festivals as well as the entertainment chairperson contacts at them?

Kyle

Fairs and Festivals....I'm not in that market, but seems to me there is a publication published annually. I know I saw one years ago at the library. If you call your local librarian, she (sexist assumption) may know exactly what we're talking about. I think it's called Amusement(s) or something like that.

It may be out of business, because, if I'm not mistaken the same publishing group USED to do one relative to trade shows, but is no longer in business.

Sorry I couldn't be more help.

There is/was a trade publication called Amusement Business. This is/was a magazine that lists circus and carnival dates. Since they are the entertainment, this one might not help that much.
The publication I’m thinking would be most helpful is the ones used by the arts and craft, food venders, etc. This covers all the smaller as well as larger festivals. The ones sponsored by local groups. Getting to know a food or T-shirt vender that works local and state festivals can be worthwhile. They sign up for these events a couple of months ahead of times and can point you in the right direction.

Tom Boleware

Excellent information. Thank you all so much. This gives me some general ideas on where I can obtain some new lead and contact info.

Kyle

Hey there guys. I was curious as to what you are doing when you "search" for clients on the internet? What sites or keywords are you guys using to find the clients information, and what kind of clients would you usually look for in this manner?

Brian I have used the internet a lot last year to get a lot of initial contact names and information from which to start my calls etc. From the internet I could often find:

- Cub Scout pack web sites for blue and gold dinners
- libraries for library shows
- theaters that may be having family entertainment
- festival and fairs in my local area
- breakfast with Santa type events
- mall listings and information

The list does go on and on. You just have to know what market you want to hit and then do direct searches in your area to find some information. You have to start at some point and the internet is as good a place as any.

If you would like other ideas or specifics I have used, just feel free to PM me.

Kyle