Direct Mail / Mailing Lists

[Fred50]

I am looking to send a direct mailing out on my own and I am interested in sources for mailing lists.

Has anyone done this successfully?

Where did you get the names from?


Note that I am planning on doing this as a part of my grand opening. I have heard about mixed results from ValPak, Money Mailer,etc and I am thinking about doing my own mailing.

Thanks!!

[mike]

I did a door-to-door flyer with coupons (1 free wash) I had problems with the post office delivery (Canadian post office), I found that they missed a whole area that I paid for, and they would not admit it. (the first person I complained to, said they had problems with that delivery person dumping his "junk mail" bundles in the garbage, but as I moved up the complaint chain, that story was never admitted to again.)
In the end I delivered all the flyers by hand with my wife and kids, about 10,000 took us about a week an hour or two a day. (got about 100 coupons back, about 30 of them from the same person !! over months and months. Be sure you print an expiry date on the coupon, and make the coupons only good tues. till thurs. If possible, be there yourself to redeem them, or you may find that your attendant is giving them in herself for the extra money !

[Fred50]

Mike,

I am willing to do it myself if it saves a ton of money and guarantees delivery, but the response #s don't seem worth it!

70 responses out of 10,000 doesn't seem worth the effort, even if all 70 become regulars. I may have to go to "Plan C"!!

[pete f]

I understand you can design, have printed and mailed all from one website, www.usps.com the postal service. I guess the key is checking carrier routes so you know who you want to send stuff to

[brucefla]

I have checked out USPS.com as well. I found a company in FL that sells mailing list names for 15 bucks/1000 BUT is an OCCUPANT list, jus a straight mailing..... This is what I have sdone so far which seems to be working out well.....

I am tossing a promo pack in driveways including:

5X5 printed card with intro on one side, and back has 3 coupons:

1. 15min dry time(total) Free soap/dryer sheets per wash on 1st visit

2. 1.00 off a smoothie, or 1/2 price espresso

3. discount on comforters (10%)

ALSO am enclosing a twin pack of WISK detergant, and a card good for a free cup of coffee (with wash)

My total cost for this package (excluding ink and labor) is a mere
.15! (a dime less than a post-card)!

So far I have tossed approx 200 and have gotten back 7 in a week! Granted it is labor intensive, but my girlfriend gladly does the package stuffing etc..... I am tossing nearest to the mat, spreading out..... I plan on tossing 500 then evaluating.

[Fred50]

Bruce,

Your idea sounds great in a residential neighborhood especially with a 3.5% response rate in a week. However, I have 60K in a mile radius, so dropping in the driveway won't work for me.

I have looked into several mailing list vendors, but none have been able to give me a 1/2 mile radius and they come up with 65-70K names/addresses within a mile. I would go broke with that big a mailing.

The largest apartment bldgs in the area have closed mailboxes, so stuffing wouldn't work either. I may take a vend box of tide and a flyer on drop it on cars in the parking lots. Any other ideas?

I know that word-of-mouth is the way to go in the long run, but I'm trying to jumpstart a new place without breaking the bank.

Thanks!

[Anonymous]

Just go into the apartment buildings and slide a flyer under each door. I've done this in my area, cannot say the response was worth the effort but maybe your area would work better.

Yes I know the building door is locked, just wait for someone to go out and walk in when the door is open.

[brucefla]

The soap-drop is basically an experiment.... Labor intensive but figured it would be fun for a little while HAHA.

I'll probabally do the USPS deal in my zip+4 area also.

As far as apartment complexes, I know the soap wont work, as one person can walk down the line of doors and have soap for a year! Also livin in FL.... (liberal gun laws).... Well I dont like otuching peoples doors.... call me paranoid, hehe

The targeted lists seem very expensive, not sure if that would pay off.

The way I see it, as I am full-service, is everyone has a comforter
and/or a throw rug so every household is a potential customer.

I'll report back after I save the coin to do the drop. IMO you NEED
to have a coupon or special offer to get people in the door once,
(unless your competition is a schmuck), then its "first impression" time.

[mike]

brucefla, You sound like you have the enthusiasm of a new owner, if so, you'll do okay. Time is on your side, be patient. You seem to be doing everything right !

[brucefla]

Mike I noticed you are from Montreal?

I was in the beer/winemaking business for about 12 years prior to this excursion.... Not sure if you brew...... I ran the US division of Vinotheque, based on the trans canada in Dorval.

now THAT is a service business

[TotoMongo]

I am looking to send a direct mailing out on my own and I am interested in sources for mailing lists.
Has anyone done this successfully?
Where did you get the names from?
Note that I am planning on doing this as a part of my grand opening. I have heard about mixed results from ValPak, Money Mailer,etc and I am thinking about doing my own mailing.
Thanks!!

Greeting Mark! Just going over some old posts and wondered if your idea came to fruition.

Toto