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How I got a FREE database of all local businesses

by PaulintheSticks
10 replies
I called one of my customers (printer) from a past business and asked him if he was interested in renting his list. He said no but told me to call this local bulk mail service. I called and told her I was new in business and was looking for a list of local businesses. She gave me a complete list of all 7000 companies w/demographics in the nearest college town in exchange for keeping her in mind to do mailings. Proof again that action = opportunities. SCORE!
#businesses #database #free #local
  • Profile picture of the author Nail Yener
    Paul, this is a very good idea. Such business lists are kinda costly and I would've never thought that people would like to share such info in exchange for doing business with them (or even better for keeping them in mind).
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  • Profile picture of the author kellyyarnsbro
    Cool, nice one Paul. Your idea is great. Such a difficult thing to have yet you make it so simple in a kindly and good way.
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    • Profile picture of the author Te Puha Kid
      are you sure you didn't give her anything else?
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  • Profile picture of the author SashaLee
    Hi Paul,

    One of our clients pointed to this resource if you're in one of these cities in America:

    https://secure.bizjournals.com/subsc...15&iana=csfoot

    This paper lists all NEW businesses who have filed for business licenses in that city for the previous week.

    Not free you say? Well, there's apparently a copy of this paper in each city's local library that you can browse for free.

    All the best,

    Sasha.
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    • Profile picture of the author bizgrower
      Originally Posted by SashaLee View Post

      Hi Paul,

      One of our clients pointed to this resource if you're in one of these cities in America:

      https://secure.bizjournals.com/subsc...15&iana=csfoot

      This paper lists all NEW businesses who have filed for business licenses in that city for the previous week.

      Not free you say? Well, there's apparently a copy of this paper in each city's local library that you can browse for free.

      All the best,

      Sasha.
      Absolutely. Do not forget public libraries because most of them have the subscriptions to the major market research data companies. (The library at the last town I lived in had a killer mocha machine as well.)

      Dan
      Signature

      "If you think you're the smartest person in the room, then you're probably in the wrong room."

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      • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
        Originally Posted by bizgrower View Post

        Absolutely. Do not forget public libraries because most of them have the subscriptions to the major market research data companies. (The library at the last town I lived in had a killer mocha machine as well.)

        Dan
        In many cities (most?) you can access the library's research databases from your home computer for free. Not to mention you can download business books and audiobooks. You do need a library card but that's free, too haha.

        ******************************************

        Just to remember the old days, I like to actually go to the library from time to time and check out old-style books that are printed on paper.

        Last week I brought about 5 books to the check out counter.

        She checked the first four with no problem.

        The fifth book she held up to the light.

        "Where did you get this?"

        "On a bookshelf," I said.

        "Sir, this is not OURS!" she said accusingly.

        I looked at the book. It had all the stickers and numbers and codes as all the other books. It looked the same to me.

        "That's interesting. It was on the shelf and looked like it needed a home so I took it down."

        I often use unfunny comments with check out people. It never works out for the better.

        "Sir, this book isn't even from THIS BRANCH!" she said, her voice rising with every word.

        "So, I can't check it out?"

        "Sir, this book isn't even supposed to BE IN THIS BUILDING!" she said impatiently as if I had just found a terrorist hiding in the stacks.
        Signature
        Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
        - Jack Trout
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        • Profile picture of the author AndrewCavanagh
          Originally Posted by Joe Ditzel View Post

          "Sir, this book isn't even supposed to BE IN THIS BUILDING!" she said impatiently as if I had just found a terrorist hiding in the stacks.

          If you were quick you could have just said
          "No I was just messing with you. That's my book."

          "Nice to see you're on your game and not letting
          those terrorist books into your system."

          Did you get the book?
          Signature
          Old School Copy Like This Is BACK & Converting Like Crazy!
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          • Profile picture of the author KingOfContentMarketing
            Originally Posted by AndrewCavanagh View Post

            If you were quick you could have just said
            "No I was just messing with you. That's my book."

            "Nice to see you're on your game and not letting
            those terrorist books into your system."

            Did you get the book?
            Good one. She said I couldn't have it...I was going to say hey don't the branches share books all the time? but I lost interest in the transaction by then haha.
            Signature
            Marketing is not a battle of products. It is a battle of perceptions.
            - Jack Trout
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  • Profile picture of the author Zakhar
    You know the term "you don't try, you don't get"
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  • Profile picture of the author Steve Solem
    Originally Posted by PaulintheSticks View Post

    I called one of my customers (printer) from a past business and asked him if he was interested in renting his list. He said no but told me to call this local bulk mail service.
    I hope you at least asked him if he'd be interested in mailing to his list on your behalf, or maybe inserting a flyer of yours into every order or invoice he mails out? I wouldn't think many printers would turn down the chance to make some extra cash if you offered them something for each sale they make for you.

    That's great you got a resource for that huge list, but I wouldn't give up on working with that printer just yet!
    Signature
    Need Offline Leads? Get them more easily with two great Lead Gen reports and 65 pages of quality PLR PLUS flyers, postcards and other marketing materials. Starting at under $5!
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