Creating your own lists

[Chris Balestriere]

Hello BPers,

I've built many lists (pre-foreclosure, absentee, probate) and am in the beginning stages of send out mailings to them; testing out the waters to see if these hand made lists work. I have found some success (leads that we have and are still perusing), but no deals. I know it is still early in the game and I don't EXPECT it to work out so soon (First mailing was to about 500 in May, so we haven't been at it too long, have done only 2 other mailings since), but I want to make sure my lists are on the right track. My question is: how are people out there (specifically in Connecticut, but anywhere will help) either creating and coming up with lists that find success and bankable leads? Or are most buying lists(from list source or anywhere else)? I've obviously heard of list source, which everyone uses (but I'm not really interested in recycled lists that others are mailing to already). I've also heard of people going to the source at city hall or the probate court and asking nicely ( I plan to make my first trip today), but are there any other people out there making their own lists and finding success. If so, how? What techniques are you using? Any creative ideas are welcomed and I am happy to share my experiences with other curious list makers.

Sincerely,

Curious Marketer

[Andrew Michael]

Was the list you mailed to in May the same list you mailed to the other two times?  How many calls do you receive during each campaign?  How many times are you touching each lead?  What is your follow up method with each lead?

A lot of times what I find with wholesalers is they mail one campaign and then don't get any deals and think their lists are bad.  In actuality the problem is usually with their marketing approach.  Also they have no plan or system in place to vet and follow up with phone calls and potential deals.   

Last week I got two contracts.  Both properties had received several mailers.  I got the contracts because I answered my phone, was attentive, acted fast, and stayed on top of the lead.