How are you finding off market deals?

[Christopher Lynch]

I have been searching the MLS for investment property with no real success. I have gotten into a couple bidding wars on property with strong numbers but did not win. Now I am going to start looking for off market deals.

What Success have you had with this? Also, how would you go about getting started with this? 

My idea was to create a standard letter to sellers which states I am interested in buying a property in their neighborhood. Has anyone here had success with this Strategy? 

What resources and or websites are you using to find these deals? Or is it just mass mail marketing?