Here at US Data Corporation, we understand how important, and sometimes challenging, it can be to determine what mailing list is appropriate for your company. Who should you turn to? How can you tell which mailing list companies are reputable? How much money should you spend to find a good list? How specific should your targeting be? Many first-time list buyers feel overwhelmed by the list buying process, and for good reason; there are many factors to consider, and this can be daunting if you’re not already familiar with the mailing list industry. If that describes you, we’re here to help you navigate the mailing list terrain.
The first step to finding a high-quality mailing list is to research list companies. If you contact a data company, your sales representative should be knowledgeable and work with you collaboratively to find the right list for your company. They should be able to help you narrow down your target demographic and recommend lists based on the products and/or services your company focuses on. A good list company should ask you questions about your business and understand your endgame before they determine what type of mailing list you need. If you are not sure what kind of list you need, be open about that; our sales representatives have years of experience across a wide swath of industries, and they will often have ideas you may not have thought of. Check to make sure the list company has a high BBB rating; this is generally a good indication that the company is reputable, and that their lists are of good quality.
While budget will always be a consideration for some businesses, you should always be wary of lists that are too cheap, or that seem too good to be true. High-quality data takes time and resources to compile. Since first time buyers might not be sure how much a good list should cost, dishonest companies sometimes take advantage of that by selling you outdated or low-quality data. While it is difficult to predict mailing list prices in advance, since every business has different list needs, do make sure the company you are working with is upfront about the cost, and verify that they really understand what you want from your data list. If money is really tight, be upfront about your budget with your representative; they might be able to find a creative solution that works for you and stay within your budget. However, they can’t do that unless you are upfront about it, so openly express your concerns with them.
It is very important that your mailing list is up-to-date, or else your time and money will go to waste. Many people don’t realize that mailing lists have expiration dates, and if you wait too long to use a purchased list, it will quickly become outdated. Lists become outdated because people move, pass away, or switch jobs, so you should always avoid using an old list. Since lists are meant to be used soon after you purchase or rent them, it helps to have everything for your marketing campaign set up beforehand. This includes making sure that everything is ready to be mailed soon after you purchase your mailing list. Most companies recommend that you use their lists as soon as possible to ensure accuracy.
You should also understand the terms of your list; understand whether or not you are purchasing or renting it, how long you have it for, if you can use the addresses multiple times, etc. The company you are working with will tell you what types of lists they provide, and answer any other questions you might have about their services.
Here at US Data Corporation, we provide custom mailing lists to fit the needs of any business, and we will work with you to make your list purchasing experience smooth and successful. If you have any questions, please visit our website or call us at (888) 578-3282.