You can open a free account and compile the data.

@Andrew HerrigI used Jerry Puckett for his expertise, experience and ease of compiling a viable list. 

Believe me, I just checked (and contacted them for confirmation).You have to go direct to the underlying data compilers - the companies that all these other list providers buy their data from.  

Try and team up with 2 or 3 people in your area and compile your money and efforts.  

Just compiled all the info I found online, formed an action plan and executed.

I have been taking all book recommendations and compiling a list and have started working my way through those as well.My question to the veterans in the industry is, how can I best prepare myself for the road ahead?

You don't have to reinvent the wheel here, but if you are going to go to the effort of compiling and scrubbing this data, why not develop a marketing piece that is going to make them think twice before throwing it into the garbage (since that is where 95% of your effort is likely going, even on the best campaigns)?

So that will add to the credibility to proposals and joint ventures that I discuss.I am about to launch another direct mail campaign to the list I compiled 3 months ago.  

We use compiled data and response lists.

I will be compiling that list over the next few days.