Three Tips on Mailing Lists

National Mail Order Association

Three Tips on Mailing Lists
and 1,500 Free Test Names

by John Schulte

You can spend a lot of time and effort writing ad copy, but the savvy marketer knows it's the mailing list that matters most.

Syndicated business author Markus Allen now offers a new system that helps you instantly find and buy mailing lists like a pro.

Here are 3 time-tested tips on Mailing Lists from that system.

1. Expect failure (lessons) and plan for success (profits)
As a marketer, I'm thrilled when I'm batting .200 -- that is, when I try 5 things, and 1 generates a profit, I'm dancin' in the streets!

Those new to direct marketing rent one mailing list, send it out, and expect to make a profit in just a few days. That's like casting your fishing reel into a large pond and hoping for "the big catch" on the very first try. Marketing your product or service is like fishing ... the smart fishermen bring 3 rods, cast from different edges of the pond, and try different bait to see what works best that day.

Testing is how you leverage your marketing dollars. I highly recommend testing as many mailing lists as possible. Go into your mailing knowing one list will significantly outperform another. If 2 out of 5 lists you test are profitable on the first mailing, contact me at once -- I'll have a waiting list of people looking to buy your strategy.

2. Ask for test names
Some list brokers will give you a FREE mailing list to test, just for the asking. You'll need to reveal your marketing plan, budget, and timetable to convince the broker you're serious about expanding the test into a rollout.

If you can't get a free list, rent the minimum number of names (most list companies require you to rent at least 5,000 names). Then, mail enough pieces (try 2,000) to get at least 40 orders. If after your test mailing you find the effort was unprofitable, throw away the other names. Remember, the mailing list is usually the
cheapest part of the mailing. Postage is the most expensive. Why waste your money on postage if the mailing list isn't worth it? (NOTE: Some companies acquire customers at break even or a small loss, and plan for profits on future sales to these customers.)

3. Mail to my favorite list (and it's FREE)
Unless your business is new, there's probably a hidden gem inside your contact manager (or shoebox). It's called your customer list. Your customer list is 10 times more likely to respond than almost any list you could rent or buy. Why? Because these people have given you money.

They trust you. They're targeted (after all, they've bought something from you). They're eager to know what other products or services you can offer to solve their problems.

If you've got something to offer, let your customers know about it on a regular basis.

Free Offer from Contact Marketing
Free 1,500 test names on any mailing list we manage, or 1,000 test names from any telemarketing list we manage. No purchase required. Good for only lists that we manage. Contact Chaim Lazar of Contact Marketing today at chaim@cmlists.com

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