@Shawn Riley, great that you are looking into a campaign!
When sending out direct mail, the most important thing is for people to open your mail and read what you are sending them - so I don't believe there is one best way to connect, just be creative in getting people to open you mail.
As an example, if you're mailing to unsophisticated homeowners, they might throw out a #10 white envelope with a corporate address for the return label and stamped by First Class Mailer. Instead, you might want to send a non-conforming envelope, in a colored envelope, with a handwritten font, with an actual stamp.
As for lists, some of the popular ones and easy to get are: absentee owners and pre-foreclosures. As someone just getting started, I would recommend mailing to people with 50%+ equity, and then use other criteria that you're looking for (such as minimum 3 bedrooms, an appraised value not higher/lower than $X, etc.).
However, the MOST important thing in direct mail is repetition!! Repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, repeat, and repeat! Do not mail to lists that you don't plan on mailing to at least 5 or 6 times.
Good luck!
