Where is the best place to obtain mailing lists?

Question

Are there any worthwhile companies out there? I work for a website. We are looking for new ways to contact potential members. We are specifically looking for Agents/Brokers/Attorneys etc. All must have verifiable REO experience.
We have bought several lists from a few different companies with little or no ROI. 
Does such a source truly exist?
Thanks for any input

Will Barnard · Answer

Jason,

Have you used Melissadata in the past. If so, what are your opinions on the quality of the lists purchased and what were your response ratios?
I am looking to buy a list from them and would appreciate feedback before I do (or do not).

Jason Hanson · Answer

Try melissadata.com and listsource.com

Account Closed · Answer

If you are after a list of Realtors, Brokers, etc. then contact your local Real Estate board and MLS.

Toby Munk · Answer

I use a local title company. They provide a system for extracting ownership data and addresses. The Company is Land Title Guaranty Company in Colorado.

I am able to select an area by zip, or drawing a polygon on a map. Sort by assessed value, out of state address etc.

About 10% return rates on my first mailing from that list.

Herbert Smith · Answer

Soemtimes this may be the case.  In these instances you may want to drive offline traffic online via more traditional methods.  Rather than a phone number, drive them to an opt-in page.

Look into ad's in trade journals, publications, news papers.

Another option is to look into taking out ads in industry related news letters & ezines, contact directly the list owners and possibly pull off a JV with them.

Sometimes there is just not a clear cut solution for some industries, thats when you really need to look at cross promotional type approaches.  Explain the benefits and pretty much sell your service to people that might be perceived outside of your niche, but closely enough related to where they would do business with you.

Alot of it depends on your service and what you are trying to achieve.  Go where your audience hangs out, are there online forums? Post there... Are there online blogs?  Comment there...Take the top 5 professionals in your local area, call them up and ask for advice.  No need to make a hard sale, just inquire as to whether your services might be of value to someone in their field...

I know some of this is elementary, but sometimes the most simple solution is the right one....Occums Razor......

Hops I may have sparked some ideas,

Chris

Herbert Smith · Answer

Igster,

As with any marketing venture, you must identify your target audience and get in front of them.  A majority of list brokers are scams, the only reputable service that I see time and time again is www.srds.com, more specific this link:

http://www.srds.com/frontMatter/ips/category/directmktg.html

These folks seem to have their stuff together.  The key is communicating your needs as clear as possible so you can be matched up the proper lists.  It may sound silly, but some folks will rent a list for real estate investing even though their prospective targets are people specializing in lease options (what if the list contains mostly rehabbers, wholesalers, foreclosures, etc..) much too much room to miss on that one.  Marketing is all about relevency. (Unless you have the budget to blind market).

Play devils advocate as much as you can and step back and look at your offer through the eyes of your potential customer.   Then poke holes in it, fix them and move until you have the most targeted campaign that will deliver the best ROI.

Hope that didnt confuse you, I am in between calls here and thought I would throw that one out.

Regards,

Chris

Craig Ignatowitz · Answer

We have done most of what you've suggested. Our biggest problem is not finding a list, but rather one comprised of our target audience.