List of Offline Businesses To Contact

13 years ago

When you say tutors, who have you done work for?

I don't mean the actual company/person name, but more like are they individuals or larger companies.

Are they K-12 or college.

Just curious

Thanks
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Brad Spencer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Scott Voss

When you say tutors, who have you done work for?

I don't mean the actual company/person name, but more like are they individuals or larger companies.

Are they K-12 or college.

Just curious

Hey Scott,

Actually I haven't worked with any tutors. I am just kind of braindumping a list of business types to contact b/c I was searching for one, didn't find it, and wanted to share my thoughts (not wanting to duplicate something that was done already).

Sorry for the confusion. Just bought your WSO btw...good stuff!

Cheers,

Brad

Thanks

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Dexx

13 years ago

I contact / do business with any business that does between $500,000 - $5,000,000 per year in sales.

I purchase business contact lists that have that information, the SIC code, business owners contact info etc.

Then you don't have to worry about the industry its in...

Approaching a Plumber in his first year of business that is earnign $40,000 a year...sure he could become a client...

...but good luck getting him to pay $1,500 - $2,500 per month for your services.

(However if just starting out, then I suppose you could focus on businesses that can afford $1,000 - $2,000...just remember its the same amount of effort to do a marketing campaign...so why accept a lower payment amount)

~Dexx

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MIB Mastermind

13 years ago

Hey Dexx,

could you expand a bit on where you purchase the business contact details from?

Also do these places tell you the yearly sales volume of each business?

Thanks

mib

Originally Posted by Dexx

I contact / do business with any business that does between $500,000 - $5,000,000 per year in sales.

I purchase business contact lists that have that information, the SIC code, business owners contact info etc.

Then you don't have to worry about the industry its in...

Approaching a Plumber in his first year of business that is earnign $40,000 a year...sure he could become a client...

...but good luck getting him to pay $1,500 - $2,500 per month for your services.

(However if just starting out, then I suppose you could focus on businesses that can afford $1,000 - $2,000...just remember its the same amount of effort to do a marketing campaign...so why accept a lower payment amount)

~Dexx

[ 1 ] Thanks
1 reply

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Jacer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad Spencer

These lists all have the owner, revenues, etc? Very detailed stuff? How do they ascertain this revenue data if the company is private?

Cheers,

Brad

Originally Posted by MIB Mastermind

Hey Dexx,

could you expand a bit on where you purchase the business contact details from?

Also do these places tell you the yearly sales volume of each business?

Thanks

mib

If you want to get some FREE leads, go check out Manta.com. It is the same info you may pay hundreds or thousands for. You can sort by geography, business size, industry, and more. The one draw back is it is a little time intensive to get the information. But it is perfect if you want to try a few cold calls out in an afternoon to see how things shake out.

Once I decided to give full time cold calling a shot, I bought a commercial list. Going this route proved to be much cheaper than buying a few thousand leads here and there from sites like Goleads and InfoUsa.

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Brad Spencer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Jacer

If you want to get some FREE leads, go check out Manta.com. It is the same info you may pay hundreds or thousands for. You can sort by geography, business size, industry, and more. The one draw back is it is a little time intensive to get the information. But it is perfect if you want to try a few cold calls out in an afternoon to see how things shake out.

Once I decided to give full time cold calling a shot, I bought a commercial list. Going this route proved to be much cheaper than buying a few thousand leads here and there from sites like Goleads and InfoUsa.

Thanks for the resource!

I know this is slightly off subject but how often do people actually want to hear what you have to say when you're cold calling them?

As a biz owner, the one time we bought something off a cold call, they turned out to be scammers so I'm pretty hesitant. Not to say I'm not open to it...but I've been on the other end pretty bad so how do you handle that?

Cheers,

Brad

Thanks

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Scott Voss

13 years ago

Jacer,
Any recommendations on where or how to get a commercial list?

-Scott

Originally Posted by Jacer

Once I decided to give full time cold calling a shot, I bought a commercial list. Going this route proved to be much cheaper than buying a few thousand leads here and there from sites like Goleads and InfoUsa.

Thanks
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Jacer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad Spencer

Thanks for the resource!

I know this is slightly off subject but how often do people actually want to hear what you have to say when you're cold calling them?

As a biz owner, the one time we bought something off a cold call, they turned out to be scammers so I'm pretty hesitant. Not to say I'm not open to it...but I've been on the other end pretty bad so how do you handle that?

Cheers,

Brad

Depends on your experience as a cold caller. When I start training a cold caller, they will get 1-2% interested if they have a heartbeat. Average callers (after some experience) get up to 5%. Excellent, top performer maybe up to 10%. It is very subjective, and depends on two very important elements: A targeted list, and a quality calling script. Hone in on these to thing, and you can get some exceptions sales %'s

Originally Posted by Scott Voss

Jacer,
Any recommendations on where or how to get a commercial list?

-Scott

Sending you a PM.

Thanks
1 reply

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TimCastleman

13 years ago

Here is how I pick my offline marketing clients.

Open Yellow pages.

open it at page one, work until the last page.

Repeat, yearly.

What, you want more?

Ok here are the four thing offline businesses MUST have in order for me to work with them.

1. Local businesses only. I don't want to work for Wendy's and they don't want me.

2. Decision maker. I want the owner or the person with the checkbook. No one else. I'm not wasting my time with the secretary or the IT guy.

3. Already advertising. Want a great way to eliminate 95% of the dead weight businesses out there? If they don't do some form of paid advertising (yellow page display ads, tv, radio, billboards, etc) I don't mess with them.

I am not in the business of convincing people on advertising. I only want to preach to the converted. Meaning if they spend money on advertising, they have a better chance of spending money with YOU.

4. Website. Most of the websites for local businesses SUCK. That is a good thing. See if a business owner already shelled out for one website, chances are they'll do it again.

If you use these 4 criteria when searching for local businesses to work with chances are you'll eliminate a ton of dead weight and focus only on the business owners who the highest chance at paying you in the process.

Tim

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TheAtHomeCouple

12 years ago

Originally Posted by TimCastleman

Here is how I pick my offline marketing clients.

Open Yellow pages.

open it at page one, work until the last page.

Repeat, yearly.

What, you want more?

Ok here are the four thing offline businesses MUST have in order for me to work with them.

1. Local businesses only. I don't want to work for Wendy's and they don't want me.

2. Decision maker. I want the owner or the person with the checkbook. No one else. I'm not wasting my time with the secretary or the IT guy.

3. Already advertising. Want a great way to eliminate 95% of the dead weight businesses out there? If they don't do some form of paid advertising (yellow page display ads, tv, radio, billboards, etc) I don't mess with them.

I am not in the business of convincing people on advertising. I only want to preach to the converted. Meaning if they spend money on advertising, they have a better chance of spending money with YOU.

4. Website. Most of the websites for local businesses SUCK. That is a good thing. See if a business owner already shelled out for one website, chances are they'll do it again.

If you use these 4 criteria when searching for local businesses to work with chances are you'll eliminate a ton of dead weight and focus only on the business owners who the highest chance at paying you in the process.

Tim

Take the list that the OP put up, take tim's list of criteria and there you go... made to order prospecting system.

Thanks

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eyfohtik

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

I contact / do business with any business that does between $500,000 - $5,000,000 per year in sales.

I purchase business contact lists that have that information, the SIC code, business owners contact info etc.

Then you don't have to worry about the industry its in...

Approaching a Plumber in his first year of business that is earnign $40,000 a year...sure he could become a client...

...but good luck getting him to pay $1,500 - $2,500 per month for your services.

(However if just starting out, then I suppose you could focus on businesses that can afford $1,000 - $2,000...just remember its the same amount of effort to do a marketing campaign...so why accept a lower payment amount)

~Dexx

Where do you purchase that data for Canada?

Thanks

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Joseph Ratliff

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

I contact / do business with any business that does between $500,000 - $5,000,000 per year in sales.

I purchase business contact lists that have that information, the SIC code, business owners contact info etc.

~Dexx

In some cases, you don't have to purchase the list at all...my public library subscribes to ReferenceUSA...and I get access to their subscription with all of the "qualifiers" and can build a list to call from my computer screen.

Call a business, use a notebook to write down pertinent info about the important calls (the ones leading to follow up or appointments), and move on to the next on the list I create.

The only minor difference is you cannot add them to your own database or contact manager automatically as if you purchased a list...but for those who may not have the funds to purchase a list when getting started...it's a great way to get started on the phones.

Most of the list of businesses have been covered pretty well, but I've contacted:

-- auto-shop owners
-- chiropractors
-- manufacturers

Hope that helps.

Thanks

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Enis

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

I contact / do business with any business that does between $500,000 - $5,000,000 per year in sales.

I purchase business contact lists that have that information, the SIC code, business owners contact info etc.

Then you don't have to worry about the industry its in...

Approaching a Plumber in his first year of business that is earnign $40,000 a year...sure he could become a client...

...but good luck getting him to pay $1,500 - $2,500 per month for your services.

(However if just starting out, then I suppose you could focus on businesses that can afford $1,000 - $2,000...just remember its the same amount of effort to do a marketing campaign...so why accept a lower payment amount)

~Dexx

Great point there, but in most cases it's not that easy getting in touch with that kind of people you have to be well connected to be able to pull it off.

Thanks

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Jacer

13 years ago

Dexx hit the nail on the head here. While lists are awesome, the best list is who can afford what you have to offer. Of course, that list can vary greatly to, depending on the service you provide.

As a website designer, we target businesses anywhere from 500k-2M. Seems to be the sweet spot for us and has produced much better results than focusing on any one business type.

Thanks
1 reply

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Deidra Renee

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Jacer

Dexx hit the nail on the head here. While lists are awesome, the best list is who can afford what you have to offer. Of course, that list can vary greatly to, depending on the service you provide.

As a website designer, we target businesses anywhere from 500k-2M. Seems to be the sweet spot for us and has produced much better results than focusing on any one business type.

Is it harder to get in touch with the actual business owner with these types of businesses? Anyway to the OP, you pretty much have every businss listed lol I love working with contractors..they're easy to get a hold of and are generally nicer people lol I have yet to work with an attorney, account, doctor, or dentist because I haven't wanted to put the effort into contacting them.

Thanks

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Brad Spencer

13 years ago

Ok maybe I had the wrong idea...

I guess I was thinking this could help people come up with lead ideas...

I.E. "Chicago Dentists" and then start prospecting that way.

Lesson learned I guess.

Cheers,

Brad

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Irishman

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Brad Spencer

Ok maybe I had the wrong idea...

I guess I was thinking this could help people come up with lead ideas...

I.E. "Chicago Dentists" and then start prospecting that way.

Lesson learned I guess.

Cheers,

Brad

Actually Brad, in my opinion you have the right idea. Not everyone approaches this business the same way. I built my business by starting a list just like you positioned above.

My reasoning was simple... this is the keyword for which I went through the yellow pages looking under. This is categorically how the YP organize their advertisers, and friends, if they have the ability to pay for YP, they have the ability to pay for your services. (And likely to get much better ROI!)

It's not to discount Dexx/Jacer's point above, just that there is plenty of money found exploring businesses through industry specific categories, so I appreciate the post.

Here's the actual list I built in a spreadsheet several years ago that got me moving, some of which you covered.

Travel Agency
Lawyer
Dry Cleaner
Carpet Cleaner
Dentist
Pediatrician
Doctor
Eye Doctor
Auto Mechanic
Martial Arts
Real Estate Agent
Wedding Planner
Limousine
Florist
Hair Salon
Spa
Car Wash
Roofing
Plumber
Contractors
Electricians
Jewelers
Photographers
Bakery
DJ
Nail Salon

Not comprehensive, but it absolutely gave me a starting point.

Thanks for your post.

Will

Thanks
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Brad Spencer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Irishman

Actually Brad, in my opinion you have the right idea. Not everyone approaches this business the same way. I built my business by starting a list just like you positioned above.

My reasoning was simple... this is the keyword for which I went through the yellow pages looking under. This is categorically how the YP organize their advertisers, and friends, if they have the ability to pay for YP, they have the ability to pay for your services. (And likely to get much better ROI!)

It's not to discount Dexx/Jacer's point above, just that there is plenty of money found exploring businesses through industry specific categories, so I appreciate the post.

Here's the actual list I built in a spreadsheet several years ago that got me moving, some of which you covered.

Travel Agency
Lawyer
Dry Cleaner
Carpet Cleaner
Dentist
Pediatrician
Doctor
Eye Doctor
Auto Mechanic
Martial Arts
Real Estate Agent
Wedding Planner
Limousine
Florist
Hair Salon
Spa
Car Wash
Roofing
Plumber
Contractors
Electricians
Jewelers
Photographers
Bakery
DJ
Nail Salon

Not comprehensive, but it absolutely gave me a starting point.

Thanks for your post.

Will

Exactly...I mean can you imagine just contacting people for basic website services. I mean when we opened my deli in January, we didn't have a ton of money. I had a VA at the time help edit the site, add a new banner in the header, and other various WP coding tasks.

I can only imagine how many businesses don't have websites. Many people want a website yet don't want to do it themselves or they realize if they do it themselves it will suck.

A simple 5 page site with a WP theme that you teach them to make edits to would be huge. Provide some basic SEO so they show up in name and they'll be happy.

I mean this business might not be a 100k per month recurring income but I think there's a lot of people that don't even want that. They want 30 clients paying $250 plus some new business here and there.

I wonder how many people doing freelance web design on Elance would ever consider doing business this way.

Hmm....

Thanks for contributing your business list.

Cheers,

Brad

Thanks

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James Foster

13 years ago

Hey Brad,

This list might not apply to everyone, but this is the list I came up with for potential customers of my advertising business:

apartments
Charities
auto parts
car dealers
bakeries
barbers and salons
bikes and sports shops
bridal
charter
carpet/rug cleaners
cell phone services
chiropractors
coffee shops
computer repair
electronics stores
dentists
drug stores/pharmacy
dry cleaners
employment assistance
bowling/roller skating
financial services/ planning
florists
golf courses
grocers
hardware stores
gyms
restaurants
insurance
jewelers
lawn care
liquor stores
martial arts
massage therapy
eye care
craft stores
retailers
sporting goods
tanning
movies
travel
discount and consignment shops
Oil Change shops
furniture stores

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Shane F

13 years ago

I wanted to add to the list "Home Inspectors."

Each town has pretty stiff competition for this offline. The average home inspection costs $300. It took us a couple weeks for our first home inspector to reach #1 and the A spot. He tells us he averages 6 more inspections a month now.

This has also brought us real estate agents through referrals of the first home inspector.

While you are not going to get $1,000 a month from each inspector just on SEO, it is easy to rank for and a nice initial check and monthly maintenance fees.

-Shane

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1 reply

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godsgood

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Shane F

I wanted to add to the list "Home Inspectors."

Each town has pretty stiff competition for this offline. The average home inspection costs $300. It took us a couple weeks for our first home inspector to reach #1 and the A spot. He tells us he averages 6 more inspections a month now.

This has also brought us real estate agents through referrals of the first home inspector.

While you are not going to get $1,000 a month from each inspector just on SEO, it is easy to rank for and a nice initial check and monthly maintenance fees.

-Shane

You may not see this, I realize that your post was from last year, but do you have any pointers for me for advertising/seo for this niche? My husband is a home inspector, and I am trying to use what I know from online to help with his business, but I'm kind of at a loss where to start. Any pointers? Thank you

Thanks

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deannatroupe

13 years ago

It might be dangerous for me to go into craft stores for business. I'm not allowed to go to Hobby Lobby because I get distracted by the yarn and the soap making supplies...

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Jacer

13 years ago

Yeah Brad, everyone has their opinion. Really depends on what kind of services you plan to offer too. For example, it would be very beneficial to focus on specific industries when providing SEO. For that, focusing on leads with high customer value is critical to attract higher paying clients. Much easier to manage ten clients paying $1000 a month, than 50 clients paying $200/mo.

Thanks

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Dexx

13 years ago

Easiest way is just to Google: country business lists | country business directory

An example of a quality one that does Canada / USA is Mailing List - Email, Business, Sales Leads, Consumer - InfoUSA

Cheers,

~Dexx

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2 replies

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Brad Spencer

13 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

Easiest way is just to Google: country business lists | country business directory

An example of a quality one that does Canada / USA is Mailing List - Email, Business, Sales Leads, Consumer - InfoUSA

Cheers,

~Dexx

These lists all have the owner, revenues, etc? Very detailed stuff? How do they ascertain this revenue data if the company is private?

Cheers,

Brad

Thanks

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MKBridge 12 years ago

Originally Posted by Dexx

An example of a quality one that does Canada / USA is Mailing List - Email, Business, Sales Leads, Consumer - InfoUSA

Cheers,

~Dexx

Wow Dexx, that is a great tip for Canadian leads, thanks! Kathi
- Thanks
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Dexx

13 years ago

I dunno how they do it, but I've verified the data with the business owners I've dealt with (I go through the list for my specific city) and its accurate...keep in mind that it all depends on the quality of the list company you deal with.

So you'll need to do your own research and review checking to see who you deal with...I listed infoUSA as they are considered one of the higher quality ones but you pay a premium price for that quality.

You'd have to ask them how they do it =P

Ask for a sample listing with the list company you contact to check out it validity perhaps...

Cheers,

~Dexx

Thanks

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James Foster

13 years ago

I don't know if anyone has used these guys before (and no, I have no affiliation with them)....

DirectMailTools.com

They sell both B2B lists and B2C lists. They're pretty cheap too.

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TimCastleman 13 years ago

Oh if we're just talking about tools to use for offline businesses then I just use a list broker who gets me 99.9% of the local businesses nationwide (and in Canada). It is costly BUT worth it.

Tim
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anwar001

12 years ago

Originally Posted by James Foster

I don't know if anyone has used these guys before (and no, I have no affiliation with them)....

DirectMailTools.com

They sell both B2B lists and B2C lists. They're pretty cheap too.

thanks for the site. any other such site??

Thanks

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global1967

12 years ago

Hey Brad i read your post and thought i could contribute to this. So here is a comprehensive list of local business niches. Enjoy everyone:

Air Conditioning and Heating Company
Commercial Building Construction
Drywall Contractors
Electrical Contractors
Flooring Contractors
Framing Contractors
Glass and Glazing Contractors
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
Land Subdivision Construction
Masonry Contractors
New Housing Construction
Oil and Gas Pipeline Construction
Painting Contractors
Plumbing Contractors
Poured Concrete Foundation
Power and Communication Line Construction
Residential Remodelers
Roofing Contractors
Siding Contractors
Structural Steel Contractors
Water and Sewer Line Construction

Adoption Agencies
Aircraft Rental Instruction
Alternative Health Website
Ambulance Services
Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers
Apprenticeship Training
Art School Gallery
Automobile Driving Schools
Blood and Organ Banks
Business Schools
Child and Youth Services
Chiropractor Offices
College Planning Consultant
Colleges
Community Food Services
Computer Training
Cosmetology and Barber Schools
Dance Studios
Day Care Services
Dentist Offices
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
Educational Support Services
Elementary Schools
Emergency and Other Relief Services
Exam Preparation
Family Planning Centers
Fine Arts Schools
Flight Training
HMO Medical Centers
Home Health Care Services
Hospitals
Junior Colleges
Kidney Dialysis Centers
Language Schools
Management Development Training
Medical Laboratories
Mental Health Practitioner Offices
Nursing Care Facilities
Occupational Therapist Offices
Optometrist Offices
Outpatient Mental Health Centers
Physical Therapist Offices
Physician Offices
Podiatrist Offices
Professional Schools
Residential Mental Health Facilities
Residential Mental Retardation Facilities
Secondary Schools
Secretarial Schools
Senior Care Services
Speech Therapist Offices
Sports and Recreation Instruction
Tutoring
Substance Abuse Facilities
Temporary Shelters
Universities
Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Aircraft Rental and Leasing
Appliance Rental
Auto Insurance Claims
Claims Adjusting
Commercial Banking
Consumer Electronics Rental
Consumer Lending
Credit Card Issuing
Credit Unions
Direct Health and Medical Insurance
Direct Life Insurance
Direct Property and Casualty Insurance
Direct Title Insurance Carriers
Equipment Rental and Leasing
Financial Planner
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
Investment Advice
General Rental Centers
Home Health Equipment Rental
Investment Banking
Lessors of Real Estate Property
Mortgage Loan Brokers
Non-mortgage Loan Brokers
Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers
Pension Funds
Portfolio Management
Property Manager
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Appraisers
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Sales Financing
Savings Institutions
Securities and Commodity Exchanges
Securities Dealing
Trust, Fiduciary, and Custody Activities
Vehicle Rental and Leasing
Video Tape and Disc Rental

Administration of Public Programs
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments
Correctional Institutions
Courts
Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities
Executive Offices
Fire Protection
International Affairs
Counsel and Prosecution
Legislative Bodies
National Security
Parole Offices and Probation Offices
Police Protection
Public Finance Activities
Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities
Space Research and Technology

Almanac Publishers (except Exclusive Internet Publishing)
Archives
Book Publishers
Art Film Theater
Atlas Publishers
Cable and Other Program Distribution
Cable Programming
Cellular Telecommunications
Data Processing
Directory Publishers
Greeting Card Publishers
Internet Publishing
Internet Service Providers
Libraries
Mailing List Publishers
Motion Picture Production and Distribution
Motion Picture Theaters
Music Publishers
News Syndicates
Newspaper Publishers
Online Business
Paging
Periodical Publishers
Radio Networks
Radio Stations
Recording Studio
Satellite Telecommunications
Software Publishers
Sound Recording Studios
Tele-production Services
Television Broadcasting
Video Production and Distribution
Web Hosting
Web Search Portals
Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Actors, Independent
Advertising Copywriter
Aerobic Dance and Exercise Centers
Agents and Managers
Amateur Sports Teams, Recreational
Amusement and Theme Parks
Amusement Arcades
Animal Exhibits, Live
Animal Safari Parks
Animated Cartoon Artists, Independent
Announcers, Independent Radio and Television
Aquariums
Arboretums
Archery Range
Art Film Theater
Art Gallery
Art Restorers, Independent
Art School Museum
Artists, Independent
Athletes, Amateur, Independent
Athletic Club Facilities, Physical Fitness
Automobile Racing Teams
Aviaries
Aviation Clubs, Recreational
Bar/Club Business
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
Botanical Gardens
Bowling Centers
Campgrounds
Casinos
Caterers
Country Clubs
Dance Companies
Dinner Theaters
Fitness Centers
Golf Courses
Historical Sites
Hotels
Independent Artists
Independent Performers
Marinas
Museums
Musical Groups and Artists
Nature Parks
Promoters
Racetracks
Recreational Sports Centers
Restaurant and Food Business
RV Parks
Skiing Facilities
Sports Recreation Guides
Sports Teams and Clubs
Sports Trainers
Theater Companies
Writers
Zoos

Aircraft Equipment Maker
Aircraft Manufacturing
Animal Food Manufacturing
Apparel Manufacturing
Arts and Crafts
Banner-Making
Breweries
Canvas Work
Cement Manufacturing
Chemical Manufacturing
Clay Product Manufacturing
Commercial Bakeries
Commercial Printing
Computer Equipment Manufacturing
Crocheting
Cross Stitch
Distilleries
Electronic Manufacturing
Embroidery
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Food Manufacturing
Foundries
Furniture Manufacturing
Glass Product Manufacturing
Iron and Steel Mills
Jewelry Manufacturing
Knitting
Lace Making
Lucet
Machine Shops
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing
Macrame
Metal Manufacturing
Metalworking
Mineral Product Manufacturing
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
Needlepoint
Paper Product Manufacturing
Patchwork
Petroleum Refineries
Plastics Product Manufacturing
Pottery
Quilting
Retail Bakeries
Rubber Product Manufacturing
Rug Making
Sawmills
Sculpture
Sewing
Spinning
Tapestry
Textile Product Milling
Tobacco Product Manufacturing
Trade binding
Weaving
Wineries
Wood Preservation
Wood Product Manufacturing

Agriculture Farm Business
Agriculture Fruit Farm Business
Agriculture Produce Farm Business
Apiculture
Apple Orchards
Coal Mining
Farming
Fishing
Logging
Metal Mining
Nonmetallic Mineral Mining
Nursery / Greenhouse
Oil and Gas Operations
Ranching
Support Activities for Mining
Timber Tract Operations

Animal Daycare
Appliance Repair and Maintenance
Aquarium Services
Astrology Tarot Card Business
Auto Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance
Auto Decal Business
Automobile Detailing Business
Automobile Inspection Business
Automobile Restoration
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops
Automotive Repair
Business Associations
Car Wash Business
Cemeteries and Crematories
Civic and Social Organizations
Coin-Op Laundry
Conservation Organizations
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
Electronics Repair and Maintenance
Environment Organizations
Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Funeral Homes
Grant making Foundations
Hair Salon & Day Spa
Household Goods Repair and Maintenance
Human Rights Organizations
Labor Unions and Organizations
Laundries and Dry cleaners
Linen Supply
Machinery Repair and Maintenance
Parking Lots and Garages
Personal Concierge / Shopper
Pet Business
Photofinishing Laboratories
Political Organizations
Private Households
Professional Organizations
Religious Organizations
Social Advocacy Organizations
Voluntary Health Organizations
Wedding Consultant
Wildlife Organizations

Accounting Firm
Administrative Service Business
Advertising Agency
Advertising Consulting
Advertising Material Distribution Services
Agricultural Consultant
Architectural Engineering
Architectural Services
Armored Car Services
Art Packaging Installation
Art Shipping
Auditing Services
Automated Accounting Systems
Building Inspection Services
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
Certified Public Accountants
Cleaning Service
Collection Agencies
Computer Related Services
Consulting Service
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
Convention and Visitors Bureaus
Copy Shops
Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices
Court Reporting
Credit Bureaus
Drafting Services
Employment Agencies
Engineering Services
Environmental Consulting Services
Event Planning Service
Exterminating and Pest Control Services
Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
Graphic Design Services
Hazardous Waste Collection
Home Design
Home Inspection Service
Industrial Design Services
Investigation Services
Janitorial Services
Landscape Architects
Lawn Care/Landscaping Business
Lawyers
Locksmiths
Marketing Consulting Services
Marketing Research
Medical Claims Billing Service
Notaries
Office Administration Services
Packaging and Labeling Services
Payroll Services
Photography Studios
Private Mail Centers
Public Opinion Polling
Public Relations Agencies
Repossession Services
Research and Development Agencies
Security Guards
Security Systems Services
Septic Tank Services
Solid Waste Collection
Specialty Travel and Tours Business
Sports Tour Operators
Staffing Service Business
Stenotype Services
Surveying and Mapping Services
Tax Preparation Services
Telemarketing Bureaus
Telephone Answering Services
Temporary Services
Testing Laboratories
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
Travel Tour Operators
Translation and Interpretation Services
Travel Agencies
Veterinary Services
Web Design

Aircraft Charter Services
Air Traffic Control
Aircraft Weighing Systems
Airport Shuttle Service
Airport Taxi
Bus Transit Systems
Charter Bus Industry
Couriers
Employee Bus Transportation
Freight Brokerage
Limousine Service
Local Delivery
Local Messengers
Marine Cargo Handling
Motor Vehicle Towing
Natural Gas Distribution
Packing and Crating
Pipeline Transportation
Port and Harbor Operations
Postal Service
Power Generation
Railroads
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation
School Bus Transportation
Sewage Treatment Facilities
Special Needs Transportation
Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply
Taxi Service
Trucking
Warehousing and Storage
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
Water Transportation

Antiques Dealer
Art Dealers
Art Sales Custom Framing
Art Supply Store
Artificial Flowers Importers
Athletic Shoe Stores
Automobile Dealership
Automotive Parts and Accessories Store
Boat Dealers
Book Stores
Building Material Dealers
Business to Business Electronic Markets
Clothing Stores
Commercial Equipment Wholesalers
Construction Material Wholesalers
Crafts Stores
Department Stores
Durable Goods Wholesalers
eBay Business
Electronic Parts Wholesalers
Electronic Shopping
Electronics Stores
Equipment Wholesalers
Farm Product Wholesalers
Farm Supply Stores
Florists
Fuel Dealers
Garden Centers
Gasoline Stations
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
Grocery Wholesalers
Hardware Wholesalers
Health and Personal Care Stores
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
Home Centers
Home Furnishing Stores
Home Furnishing Wholesalers
Household Appliance Stores
Import/Export Business
Industrial Wholesalers
Internet Auctions
Jewelry Stores
Liquor Stores
Luggage and Leather Goods Stores
Mail-Order Houses
Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers
Motor Vehicle Dealers
Motor Vehicle Wholesalers
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
New Parts Wholesalers
News Dealers and Newsstands
Nurseries
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
Personal Service Wholesalers
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
Prerecorded Tape, Compact Disc, and Record Stores
Professional Equipment Wholesalers
Retail Store
Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Stores
Sporting Goods Stores
Supermarkets
Supplies Wholesalers
Tobacco Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Vending Machine Operators
Warehouse Clubs and Super centers
Wholesale Distribution

[ 10 ] Thanks
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Jeremy James

12 years ago

Originally Posted by global1967

Hey Brad i read your post and thought i could contribute to this. So here is a comprehensive list of local business niches. Enjoy everyone:

Air Conditioning and Heating Company
Commercial Building Construction
Drywall Contractors
Electrical Contractors
Flooring Contractors
Framing Contractors
Glass and Glazing Contractors
Highway, Street, and Bridge Construction
Land Subdivision Construction
Masonry Contractors
New Housing Construction
Oil and Gas Pipeline Construction
Painting Contractors
Plumbing Contractors
Poured Concrete Foundation
Power and Communication Line Construction
Residential Remodelers
Roofing Contractors
Siding Contractors
Structural Steel Contractors
Water and Sewer Line Construction

Adoption Agencies
Aircraft Rental Instruction
Alternative Health Website
Ambulance Services
Ambulatory Surgical and Emergency Centers
Apprenticeship Training
Art School Gallery
Automobile Driving Schools
Blood and Organ Banks
Business Schools
Child and Youth Services
Chiropractor Offices
College Planning Consultant
Colleges
Community Food Services
Computer Training
Cosmetology and Barber Schools
Dance Studios
Day Care Services
Dentist Offices
Diagnostic Imaging Centers
Educational Support Services
Elementary Schools
Emergency and Other Relief Services
Exam Preparation
Family Planning Centers
Fine Arts Schools
Flight Training
HMO Medical Centers
Home Health Care Services
Hospitals
Junior Colleges
Kidney Dialysis Centers
Language Schools
Management Development Training
Medical Laboratories
Mental Health Practitioner Offices
Nursing Care Facilities
Occupational Therapist Offices
Optometrist Offices
Outpatient Mental Health Centers
Physical Therapist Offices
Physician Offices
Podiatrist Offices
Professional Schools
Residential Mental Health Facilities
Residential Mental Retardation Facilities
Secondary Schools
Secretarial Schools
Senior Care Services
Speech Therapist Offices
Sports and Recreation Instruction
Tutoring
Substance Abuse Facilities
Temporary Shelters
Universities
Vocational Rehabilitation Services

Aircraft Rental and Leasing
Appliance Rental
Auto Insurance Claims
Claims Adjusting
Commercial Banking
Consumer Electronics Rental
Consumer Lending
Credit Card Issuing
Credit Unions
Direct Health and Medical Insurance
Direct Life Insurance
Direct Property and Casualty Insurance
Direct Title Insurance Carriers
Equipment Rental and Leasing
Financial Planner
Formal Wear and Costume Rental
Insurance Agencies and Brokerages
Investment Advice
General Rental Centers
Home Health Equipment Rental
Investment Banking
Lessors of Real Estate Property
Mortgage Loan Brokers
Non-mortgage Loan Brokers
Offices of Real Estate Agents and Brokers
Pension Funds
Portfolio Management
Property Manager
Real Estate Agent
Real Estate Appraisers
Real Estate Investment Trusts
Sales Financing
Savings Institutions
Securities and Commodity Exchanges
Securities Dealing
Trust, Fiduciary, and Custody Activities
Vehicle Rental and Leasing
Video Tape and Disc Rental

Administration of Public Programs
American Indian and Alaska Native Tribal Governments
Correctional Institutions
Courts
Electric, Gas, and Other Utilities
Executive Offices
Fire Protection
International Affairs
Counsel and Prosecution
Legislative Bodies
National Security
Parole Offices and Probation Offices
Police Protection
Public Finance Activities
Regulation of Agricultural Marketing and Commodities
Space Research and Technology

Almanac Publishers (except Exclusive Internet Publishing)
Archives
Book Publishers
Art Film Theater
Atlas Publishers
Cable and Other Program Distribution
Cable Programming
Cellular Telecommunications
Data Processing
Directory Publishers
Greeting Card Publishers
Internet Publishing
Internet Service Providers
Libraries
Mailing List Publishers
Motion Picture Production and Distribution
Motion Picture Theaters
Music Publishers
News Syndicates
Newspaper Publishers
Online Business
Paging
Periodical Publishers
Radio Networks
Radio Stations
Recording Studio
Satellite Telecommunications
Software Publishers
Sound Recording Studios
Tele-production Services
Television Broadcasting
Video Production and Distribution
Web Hosting
Web Search Portals
Wired Telecommunications Carriers

Actors, Independent
Advertising Copywriter
Aerobic Dance and Exercise Centers
Agents and Managers
Amateur Sports Teams, Recreational
Amusement and Theme Parks
Amusement Arcades
Animal Exhibits, Live
Animal Safari Parks
Animated Cartoon Artists, Independent
Announcers, Independent Radio and Television
Aquariums
Arboretums
Archery Range
Art Film Theater
Art Gallery
Art Restorers, Independent
Art School Museum
Artists, Independent
Athletes, Amateur, Independent
Athletic Club Facilities, Physical Fitness
Automobile Racing Teams
Aviaries
Aviation Clubs, Recreational
Bar/Club Business
Bed-and-Breakfast Inns
Botanical Gardens
Bowling Centers
Campgrounds
Casinos
Caterers
Country Clubs
Dance Companies
Dinner Theaters
Fitness Centers
Golf Courses
Historical Sites
Hotels
Independent Artists
Independent Performers
Marinas
Museums
Musical Groups and Artists
Nature Parks
Promoters
Racetracks
Recreational Sports Centers
Restaurant and Food Business
RV Parks
Skiing Facilities
Sports Recreation Guides
Sports Teams and Clubs
Sports Trainers
Theater Companies
Writers
Zoos

Aircraft Equipment Maker
Aircraft Manufacturing
Animal Food Manufacturing
Apparel Manufacturing
Arts and Crafts
Banner-Making
Breweries
Canvas Work
Cement Manufacturing
Chemical Manufacturing
Clay Product Manufacturing
Commercial Bakeries
Commercial Printing
Computer Equipment Manufacturing
Crocheting
Cross Stitch
Distilleries
Electronic Manufacturing
Embroidery
Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
Food Manufacturing
Foundries
Furniture Manufacturing
Glass Product Manufacturing
Iron and Steel Mills
Jewelry Manufacturing
Knitting
Lace Making
Lucet
Machine Shops
Machinery and Equipment Manufacturing
Macrame
Metal Manufacturing
Metalworking
Mineral Product Manufacturing
Motor Vehicle Manufacturing
Needlepoint
Paper Product Manufacturing
Patchwork
Petroleum Refineries
Plastics Product Manufacturing
Pottery
Quilting
Retail Bakeries
Rubber Product Manufacturing
Rug Making
Sawmills
Sculpture
Sewing
Spinning
Tapestry
Textile Product Milling
Tobacco Product Manufacturing
Trade binding
Weaving
Wineries
Wood Preservation
Wood Product Manufacturing

Agriculture Farm Business
Agriculture Fruit Farm Business
Agriculture Produce Farm Business
Apiculture
Apple Orchards
Coal Mining
Farming
Fishing
Logging
Metal Mining
Nonmetallic Mineral Mining
Nursery / Greenhouse
Oil and Gas Operations
Ranching
Support Activities for Mining
Timber Tract Operations

Animal Daycare
Appliance Repair and Maintenance
Aquarium Services
Astrology Tarot Card Business
Auto Body, Paint, and Interior Repair and Maintenance
Auto Decal Business
Automobile Detailing Business
Automobile Inspection Business
Automobile Restoration
Automotive Glass Replacement Shops
Automotive Oil Change and Lubrication Shops
Automotive Repair
Business Associations
Car Wash Business
Cemeteries and Crematories
Civic and Social Organizations
Coin-Op Laundry
Conservation Organizations
Diet and Weight Reducing Centers
Electronics Repair and Maintenance
Environment Organizations
Equipment Repair and Maintenance
Funeral Homes
Grant making Foundations
Hair Salon & Day Spa
Household Goods Repair and Maintenance
Human Rights Organizations
Labor Unions and Organizations
Laundries and Dry cleaners
Linen Supply
Machinery Repair and Maintenance
Parking Lots and Garages
Personal Concierge / Shopper
Pet Business
Photofinishing Laboratories
Political Organizations
Private Households
Professional Organizations
Religious Organizations
Social Advocacy Organizations
Voluntary Health Organizations
Wedding Consultant
Wildlife Organizations

Accounting Firm
Administrative Service Business
Advertising Agency
Advertising Consulting
Advertising Material Distribution Services
Agricultural Consultant
Architectural Engineering
Architectural Services
Armored Car Services
Art Packaging Installation
Art Shipping
Auditing Services
Automated Accounting Systems
Building Inspection Services
Carpet and Upholstery Cleaning Services
Certified Public Accountants
Cleaning Service
Collection Agencies
Computer Related Services
Consulting Service
Convention and Trade Show Organizers
Convention and Visitors Bureaus
Copy Shops
Corporate, Subsidiary, and Regional Managing Offices
Court Reporting
Credit Bureaus
Drafting Services
Employment Agencies
Engineering Services
Environmental Consulting Services
Event Planning Service
Exterminating and Pest Control Services
Geophysical Surveying and Mapping Services
Graphic Design Services
Hazardous Waste Collection
Home Design
Home Inspection Service
Industrial Design Services
Investigation Services
Janitorial Services
Landscape Architects
Lawn Care/Landscaping Business
Lawyers
Locksmiths
Marketing Consulting Services
Marketing Research
Medical Claims Billing Service
Notaries
Office Administration Services
Packaging and Labeling Services
Payroll Services
Photography Studios
Private Mail Centers
Public Opinion Polling
Public Relations Agencies
Repossession Services
Research and Development Agencies
Security Guards
Security Systems Services
Septic Tank Services
Solid Waste Collection
Specialty Travel and Tours Business
Sports Tour Operators
Staffing Service Business
Stenotype Services
Surveying and Mapping Services
Tax Preparation Services
Telemarketing Bureaus
Telephone Answering Services
Temporary Services
Testing Laboratories
Title Abstract and Settlement Offices
Travel Tour Operators
Translation and Interpretation Services
Travel Agencies
Veterinary Services
Web Design

Aircraft Charter Services
Air Traffic Control
Aircraft Weighing Systems
Airport Shuttle Service
Airport Taxi
Bus Transit Systems
Charter Bus Industry
Couriers
Employee Bus Transportation
Freight Brokerage
Limousine Service
Local Delivery
Local Messengers
Marine Cargo Handling
Motor Vehicle Towing
Natural Gas Distribution
Packing and Crating
Pipeline Transportation
Port and Harbor Operations
Postal Service
Power Generation
Railroads
Scenic and Sightseeing Transportation
School Bus Transportation
Sewage Treatment Facilities
Special Needs Transportation
Steam and Air-Conditioning Supply
Taxi Service
Trucking
Warehousing and Storage
Water Supply and Irrigation Systems
Water Transportation

Antiques Dealer
Art Dealers
Art Sales Custom Framing
Art Supply Store
Artificial Flowers Importers
Athletic Shoe Stores
Automobile Dealership
Automotive Parts and Accessories Store
Boat Dealers
Book Stores
Building Material Dealers
Business to Business Electronic Markets
Clothing Stores
Commercial Equipment Wholesalers
Construction Material Wholesalers
Crafts Stores
Department Stores
Durable Goods Wholesalers
eBay Business
Electronic Parts Wholesalers
Electronic Shopping
Electronics Stores
Equipment Wholesalers
Farm Product Wholesalers
Farm Supply Stores
Florists
Fuel Dealers
Garden Centers
Gasoline Stations
Gift, Novelty, and Souvenir Stores
Grocery Wholesalers
Hardware Wholesalers
Health and Personal Care Stores
Hobby, Toy, and Game Stores
Home Centers
Home Furnishing Stores
Home Furnishing Wholesalers
Household Appliance Stores
Import/Export Business
Industrial Wholesalers
Internet Auctions
Jewelry Stores
Liquor Stores
Luggage and Leather Goods Stores
Mail-Order Houses
Manufactured (Mobile) Home Dealers
Motor Vehicle Dealers
Motor Vehicle Wholesalers
Musical Instrument and Supplies Stores
New Parts Wholesalers
News Dealers and Newsstands
Nurseries
Office Supplies and Stationery Stores
Outdoor Power Equipment Stores
Personal Service Wholesalers
Pet and Pet Supplies Stores
Pharmacies and Drug Stores
Prerecorded Tape, Compact Disc, and Record Stores
Professional Equipment Wholesalers
Retail Store
Sewing, Needlework, and Piece Goods Stores
Sporting Goods Stores
Supermarkets
Supplies Wholesalers
Tobacco Stores
Used Merchandise Stores
Vending Machine Operators
Warehouse Clubs and Super centers
Wholesale Distribution

This is a VERY good list!

Thanks

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Dexx

12 years ago

lol...so basically the entire Yellow Pages...

I still think its easier to just identify what level of investment you require clients to typically make, and then identify the businesses with the cash flow to support such a cost...

I think this is why there's so many people that get hung up on getting started in the first place. =/

~Dexx

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gigim17

12 years ago

Hey Dexx,
Noticed you live in Alberta and so do I-Calgary.
Was curious -- where do you live?
Gigi

Thanks
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internetsweetie 12 years ago

Great thread! I'm going to look into INFOUSA.
- Thanks
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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

It's important to procure your lists from well-managed, frequently verified databases. If you're sending postal mail then the list needs to be CASS certified and carrier route pre-sorted. Otherwise you won't qualify for the lowest bulk rates (or possibly no bulk rates - ouch!) Overpaying for postage can mean the difference between a loss and break-even.

I typically query the Dun and Bradstreet master list first and only move on to another if I'm looking to target based on selects D&B doesn't compile or if the campaign requires a respondent list to achieve results.

There is a lot more to a localized vertical B to B strategy than picking a bunch of yellow pages categories you expect will be hungry for your services.

In fact, targeting just a few business categories, or even only one at a time, will get you profitable much faster. Many of the reasons should be obvious but there are 2 big ones.

1st - Small business owners prefer to work with consultants who are insiders to their industry. You are not selling your excellent SEO skills, etc. to the businesses; you're selling those businesses to prospects in their market. So if you want some of the big bucks general dentists will pay, you need to be able to discuss the conversion ratios of their treatment plans, their share of wallet, share of household, lifetime value of patients, and so on. Any sales oriented industry such as car dealerships will expect you to know the basics of hard-core in-person selling.

2nd - It's easier to talk like a dentist if you were just grilled by 5 in a row. And it's much easier to close the deal with a dentist if you just closed one before lunch. (Dentist is an example but if you're going after them be sure to subscribe to Dental Economics Magazine). These businesses may compete with each other but they also talk amongst themselves and once you become the expert in a specific vertical they will refer each other to you.

Now, if you're obsessed with getting a list of business categories speak up and I'll post the entire SIC tree here or link to a download or something. If you don't want to wait just Google "list of SIC codes". That's Standard Industrial Classification codes if you're new to this topic. In fact, here's the link to the official list from the Dept. of Finance - SIC Codes -

I've been a direct response consultant and list broker since the early 90's and I really enjoy the game. But you have to realize it's an art form that's been evolving since the 1950's and there's more to learn in one sub-section of it than the entirety of Internet Marketing. Especially since all the latest "discoveries" in online copywriting, conversion, list building, etc. have been around a long time in the original direct marketing world.

You should know about PostcardMania and StockLayouts or similar resources. Walk into a business with a mailing list of every affluent homeowner in a 5 mile radius of their location and a turn-key direct mail campaign ready to go and you'll own all those other "offline" experts.

If you're interested in a custom list count for any target I can respond to a few requests so let me know.

To close, quit calling them OFFLINE businesses. The owners and their operations are connected just like everybody and are as reliant on the fabric of the Internet as you are - probably more so.

One more thought to share, the local biz approach is much like an online strategy. All the information you need to make it big are available free. If you can't figure most of it out on your own you should do something other than marketing for a living. All you need is to figure out a few of the right questions and you're on the way!

[ 7 ] Thanks

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jsherloc

12 years ago

Awesome contributions from some awesome warriors in this thread!

Chris, thank you for mentioning the "sic codes thing", as that reminds me of another issue I am investigating.

I just don't want "new" offliners to come in here and get overwhelmed with business category options, and end up getting nowhere lol (I know, I was there). So my only advice to add to this great thread would be: TARGET THE BIG FISH out of these categories: lawyers, massage therapists, etc. It is often the same amount of work, but a much bigger reward. This is something I am just now REALLY focusing on in my own business. Otherwise, you may as well work a 9-5 and/or just stick to adsense/amazon and general IM.

- Jim

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John Durham

12 years ago

I agree with Jacer.

The best thing to do is just call all of them and get a mixture, unless you have a specific niche...

Get a commercial list that focuses on a target type of prospect such as 5-2mil per year 5-10 employees or less sort of thing depending on the biz you are in...

You can laser target your prospects with a good list almost as well as a natural search ranking,and when you compare ratios its actually alot better using telemarketing.

Example:

In telemarketing as compared to IM

Dials = Impressions
Pitches = Clicks
Sales = CTS Ratio

In telemarketing the formula is invariably about like this using internet terms:

700 Impressions = 180 Clicks = 3-5 sales.

So the ratios are much better.

Now if it takes you 8 hours and costs 100 dollars to get that $700 impressions via a telemarketer , then I would say its a much better deal than pay per click with a much higher ROI.

Scaling out is just a matter of putting on another TM.

Just my two cents.

Thanks

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pcloadletter

12 years ago

This is not specific, but an independent professional that has to compete against alarge national company. For example, an independent financial advisor is going to have to compete against Morgan Stanley, Charles Schwab, AXA, etc. Focus on his business and get him at the top of the local listings.

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Christopher Hansen 12 years ago

It looks like the SIC categories were already listed above as well as some insightful comments. Following is a copy of a message I sent recently in response to a question about list databases and the information they contain:

The main types of lists are: Compiled, Subscribers, Respondents, and Buyers. Hybrid lists are variations of these. In the past compiled lists were much less valuable than the others but with modern database technologies it's possible to infer a great deal of information accurately.

Here's some of the popular databases available along with a brief description:

AccuData Res/Occ Powered by Compact
Use the AccuData Res/Occ file to reach almost 100% of all consumer and/or business addresses in the United States. This file is optimized for postal discounts when mailed standard class. The AccuData Res/Occ file is updated monthly and is sourced from the United States Postal Service.

Valassis Residential and Business Occupants
Use the Valassis file to reach almost 100% of all consumer and/or business addresses in the United States. This file is optimized for postal discounts when mailed standard class. The Valassis file is updated monthly and is sourced from the United States Postal Service.

Valassis Bullseye View
Use the Valassis Bullseye file to reach almost 100% of all consumer and/or business addresses in the United States with the added benefit of census-based demographic and lifestyle elements. The Valassis Bullseye file is updated monthly and is sourced from the United States Postal Service.

Equifax Consumer
Use the Equifax Consumer file to reach individuals at their home address. The Equifax Consumer file is updated every six weeks and is compiled from 31 different sources including automotive data, census statistics, directories, questionnaire data, and more. Unique elements on the Equifax Consumer file include the AccuScore Zip+4 Profit Potential model and networth. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

Epsilon
Use the Epsilon Consumer file to reach individuals at their home address. The Epsilon Consumer file is updated monthly and is primarily compiled from consumer survey responses. Unique elements on the Epsilon Consumer file include donor/social concerns, hobbies, investments, trade lines, and more. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

Knowledgebase
Use the KnowledgeBase file to reach individuals at their home address. The KnowledgeBase file is updated every other month and is compiled from dozens of sources that include purchase transactions, state license files, survey data, voter registration data, and more. Unique elements on the KnowledgeBase file include occupation codes, Digital Neighborhoods, hobbies and interests. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records

Acxiom Consumer
Use the Acxiom Consumer file to reach individuals at their home address. The Acxiom Consumer file is updated every eight weeks and is compiled from over 100 different sources that include transactional data, real property data, public records, and more. Unique elements on the Acxiom Consumer file include automotive data, buying activities, interests, and the Personicx segmentation system. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

Acxiom Real Property File
Use the Acxiom Real Property Advantage file to reach verified homeowners at their mailing address. The Acxiom Real Property Advantage file is updated every eight weeks and is compiled from numerous sources that include county assessor data, county recorder data, and attributes from the Acxiom consumer file. Unique elements on the Acxiom Real Property Advantage file include lender name, loan information, and property characteristics. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

Acxiom PreMover
Use the Acxiom PreMover file to identify homes that for sale. The Acxiom PreMover file is updated monthly and is compiled from real estate-focused websites. Unique elements on the Acxiom PreMover file include listing price, number of bedrooms, and number of bathrooms. Please note that not all records will include the name of the homeowner. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

Acxiom New Borrowers Hotline
Use the Acxiom New Borrower file to reach who individuals who have refinanced their home or received an equity line of credit in the last six months. The Acxiom New Borrower file is updated weekly and is compiled from deed recordings. Unique elements on the Acxiom New Borrower file include home market value, loan type, and loan to value. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

Acxiom New Homeowners
Use the Acxiom New Homeowner file to reach who have purchased a home in the last six months. The Acxiom New Homeowner file is updated weekly and is compiled from deed recordings. Unique elements on the Acxiom New Homeowner file include home market value, loan type, and loan to value. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

Acxiom New Movers
Use the Acxiom New Mover file to reach individuals who have moved to a new residence in the last six months. The Acxiom New Mover file is updated weekly and is compiled from deed recordings, new phone hook-ups, credit card updates, and more. Unique elements on the Acxiom New Mover file include owner gender, and trust flag. This file requires a minimum purchase of 100 records.

HomeData New Homeowners
Use the HomeData file to reach individuals who have purchased a home in the last twelve months. The HomeData file is updated weekly and is compiled from deed recordings. Unique elements on the HomeData file include Hispanic ethnicity, lender names, and purchase price.

The base retail price of the Acxiom Consumer database is $120 per 1000 plus $10 - $30 per 1000 for each additional selection criteria.

I ran a count against this database for a client targeting US women between the ages of 30 and 55, with a net worth above $2,000,000 and it returned a total of 1,368,265 records.

Here's all the selection criteria available in that file:

Address Type Indicator
Age - Adult Age (2 Yr Bands)
Age - Adult Age Ranges in HH
Age - Head of HH
Age - Head Of HH - Complete
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Compact
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Coupe
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Cross Over
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Domestic Sedan
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Exotic
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Foreign Sedan
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Luxury Cross Over
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Luxury Sedan
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Luxury SUV
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - Pickup Truck
Auto - Vehicle Propensity - SUV
Auto - Vehicle Value Investment Index
Available Home Equity
Available Home Equity (RPA)
Business Owner
Business Owners at Home
Buying Activity
Buying Activity - Catalogs - # of Orders Low-Scale
Buying Activity - Catalogs - # of Orders Mid-Scale
Buying Activity - Catalogs - # of Orders Upscale
Buying Activity - Community Involvement - Supported Financially
Buying Activity - Offline - Average $ Amount per Order
Buying Activity - Offline - Dollars
Buying Activity - Offline - Last Order Date
Buying Activity - Offline - Orders
Buying Activity - Offline - Weeks Since Last Order
Buying Activity - Offline Orders - $100-$249.99 Range
Buying Activity - Offline Orders - $1000+ Range
Buying Activity - Offline Orders - $250-$499.99 Range
Buying Activity - Offline Orders - $50-$99.99 Range
Buying Activity - Offline Orders - $500-$999.99 Range
Buying Activity - Offline Orders - Under $50 Range
Buying Activity - Online - Average $ Amount per Order
Buying Activity - Online - Dollars
Buying Activity - Online - Last Order Date
Buying Activity - Online - Order
Buying Activity - Online - Weeks Since Last Order
Buying Activity - Online Orders - $100-$249.99 Range
Buying Activity - Online Orders - $1000+ Range
Buying Activity - Online Orders - $250-$499.99 Range
Buying Activity - Online Orders - $50-$99.99 Range
Buying Activity - Online Orders - $500-$999.99 Range
Buying Activity - Online Orders - Under $50 Range
Buying Activity - Purchases in Apr (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Aug (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Dec (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Feb (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Jan (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Jul (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Jun (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Mar (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in May (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Nov (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Oct (Range)
Buying Activity - Purchases in Sep (Range)
Buying Activity - Retail Purchases Most Frequent Category
Buying Activity - Weeks Since Last Order
Census Median Home Value (Thousands)
Census Median Income (Thousands)
Child - Present - Complete
Child - Present - Indicator - Complete
Child Age
Children - Probable Teen Driver
Claritas Income Producing Assets
Community Reinvestment Act Code
Consumer Prominence Indicator
Credit Card - Premium
Credit Card - Regular
Credit Card Indicator
Credit Card Users
Date of Birth
Date of Birth (Month Only)
Delivery Point Drop Indicator
DOB (Select Year only)
Dominant Vehicle Lifestyle Indicator
DSF Delivery Score
Dwelling Unit Size
Economic Stability Indicator (RITAA)
Education of Selected Record
E-mail/Internet Prospect Flag
Estimated Income
Estimated Income - Complete
Estimated Income - Higher Ranges
Estimated Income - Narrow Ranges
Ethnicity - African American Professionals
Ethnicity - Country of Origin-ET
Ethnicity - Ethnic Code-ET
Ethnicity - Group Code
Ethnicity - Hispanic Assimilation Index
Ethnicity - Language Preference Code-ET
Ethnicity - Religious Affiliation Code-ET
Ethnicity - Roll-Up Code-ET
Expiration Date 1 (Loan Month)
Expiration Date 2 (Purchase Month)
File Date
Financial - Charitable Giving Rank
Financial - Discretionary Income Index
Financial - Life Insurance
Gender (Individual)
Generations in Household
Green Living
Head HH Education
Head of HH Only
Head of Household Occupation
Health
Heavy Transactor
Home Market Value
Home Purchase Date (RPA)
Home Value - Market Range up to $1mm+
Homeowner/Renter
Homeowner/Renter - Complete
Homeowner/Renter Flag
Household size
Household Status Indicator
Income - Broad Range
Income - Premium Income Range
InfoBase Investor Model - Highly Likely Investors
InfoBase Investor Model - Likely Investors
InfoBase Networth Indicator
InfoTrend Cellular User Model
InfoTrend International Long Distance User Model
InfoTrend Internet User Model
InfoTrend Long Distance User Model
InfoTrend Optional Calling Services User Model
InfoTrends - PC Operating System
InfoTrends - PC Owner
InfoTrends - Software Buyer
Interests
Internet Connection Type
Investments - Active
Length of Residence
Life Event - Child Nearing High School Graduation
Life Event - College Graduate
Life Event - Expectant Parent
Life Event - New Parent
Life Event - Newlyweds
Life Event - Recent Divorced
Life Event - Recent Home Buyer
Life Event - Recent Mortgage Borrower
Life Event - Vehicle - Intend To Purchase
Life Insurance Policy Owner
Loan Date 1st
Mail Order Buyer
Mail Order Donor
Mail Responders
Marital Status
Marital Status - Complete
Market Decile
Market Value Model Indicator
Neilsen Codes
Networth
New Bank Card Issued
New Record to File
Number of Address Lines Present
Number of Adults
Number of Credit Lines
Number of Sources - Demographic Data
Number of Sources - Name and Address
Number of Vehicles
Occupation Detail - Input Individual
Occupation of Selected Record
One Per/All Per Household or Address (1)
Online Purchase Indicator
Only Records with Zip+4 (1)
P$ycle NE
PC DSL/High Speed User
Personicx Hispanic
Personicx Hispanic Indicator
Personicx Life Stage Clusters
Personicx Lifestage Group
Phone Available
Prem New Car Buyer
Prem Number of Children
Prem Retail Activity - Date of Last Activity
Prem Senior Adult
Prem Young Adult
Premium Child Ages - 1 year range
Presence of Bank Card
Presence of Children
Presence of Pool
Prizm NE
Property - Estimated Residential Properties Owned
Property - Vacation Property Ownership Rank
Range of New Credit
Real Property Detail (Specific Property Type)
Real Property Loan Amount Range 1st
Real Property Loan-To-Value Range
Real Property Property Type
Real Property Purchase Amount
Real Property Real Estate Investor
Real Property Year Built
Real Property Year Built Ranges
Retail Purchases
Single Parent
Small Office - Home Office
Travel
Travel - Vacation Type - Casino
Travel - Vacation Type - Cruise
Truck/Motorcycle/RV Owner
Underbanked / Cash Transactor
Vehicle - New/Used Indicator - 1st Vehicle
Vehicle - New/Used Indicator - 2nd Vehicle
Vehicle Year (1st Vehicle)
Veteran in Household
Wireless Product Buyer
Working Woman Indicator
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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

To clarify, what I just posted contains an example of the type of targeted lists I provide to my business clients. A good list of businesses in a specific industry can be put together free by simply scraping a yellow pages website with software.

But if you're doing marketing for local companies then I recommend setting yourself up as a list broker and direct mail agency as well. You'll provide better solutions, make more money from your clients and get more clients out of those you approach by offering a service for those that aren't ready to do anything online.

For self promotion you can also leverage your ability to run unlimited searches on these databases. The statistical information you get from a creative list count can be used to issue "market analysis" press releases. The local media loves this type of info so they'll gladly run it. And business leaders like to read this kind of news. It makes you an expert and when they see how precisely you can target prospects they'll pick up the phone and call. When they initiate the conversation your closing ratio skyrockets.

Thanks

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deezine

12 years ago

You can also use the resource database at the local library can't remember the name. It has some good information about the size of the business, annual revenues, and such. However, for smaller businesses, I have found that information is not as up to date as for the larger businesses.

Thanks

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toprahman

12 years ago

does anybody who does cold calling have a particular referrence point of how they develop the scripts? I am working on a sales script for a SEO company. thanks

Thanks
2 replies

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Brad Spencer

12 years ago

Originally Posted by toprahman

does anybody who does cold calling have a particular referrence point of how they develop the scripts? I am working on a sales script for a SEO company. thanks

Look up Warrior "Jacer"...he has is all about cold-calling and has a forum about it.

He posts here regularly so I'm sure him and his forum have plenty of resources.

Cheers,

Brad

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Jacer

12 years ago

Originally Posted by toprahman

does anybody who does cold calling have a particular referrence point of how they develop the scripts? I am working on a sales script for a SEO company. thanks

There are a ton of great free cold calling resources for offline marketers over on The Telemarketing Forum - Index

.

Thanks
1 reply

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Brad Spencer

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Jacer

There are a ton of great free cold calling resources for offline marketers over on The Telemarketing Forum - Index

.

I told you he'd chime in

Cheers,

Brad

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dbperry

12 years ago

I am just reading through this thread and I have a question.

Most of the discussion here has been about "Cold Calling". Is email an option. It would seem to be an obvious choice to me that you could email a survey to the local businesses that basically asks if they need more customers.

Any one answering the survey gets a phone call.

Has anyone tried this? How does this compare to cold calling?

-DP

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Jacer

12 years ago

Originally Posted by dbperry

I am just reading through this thread and I have a question.

Most of the discussion here has been about "Cold Calling". Is email an option. It would seem to be an obvious choice to me that you could email a survey to the local businesses that basically asks if they need more customers.

Any one answering the survey gets a phone call.

Has anyone tried this? How does this compare to cold calling?

-DP

I have seen cold calling out-convert emails by as much as 10x. For example, it can take up to 500 emails to land one client, but only 50 phone calls.

Thanks

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John Durham

12 years ago

Telemarketing Vs. IM ROI

If you get a commercial list that focuses on a target type of prospect such as 500k-2mil per year/5-10 employees or less sort of thing depending on the biz you are in...you can laser target your prospects with almost as much precision as a natural search ranking, and when you compare ratios ROI is actually alot better using telemarketing than PPC.

Check out the real life stats here in this metaphorical formula I came up with.

Example:

In telemarketing as compared to IM

Dials = Impressions
Pitches = Clicks
Sales = CTS Ratio

In "Telemarketing" the formula is invariably about like this using internet terms:

700 Impressions = 180 Clicks = 3-5 sales. (at least)

In "IM" its more like this: 700 Impressions = 30 clicks = 0-1 sale. (at best)

So the ratios are much better in telemarketing. Plus you can control the amount of impressions and increase it at will.

About ROI:

If it takes you 8 hours and costs $100 (for a tm) to get that 700 impressions in a day, via a telemarketer , then I would say its a much better deal than pay per click with a much higher ROI.

In terms of scalability, you have complete control.

Scaling out is just a matter of putting on another TM.

Just food for thought...

Thanks

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thesweetspot

12 years ago

I really love this list. Thanks everyone for the ideas.

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Yvonne L-M

12 years ago

Just what I was looking for thanks.

Thanks
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Christopher Hansen 12 years ago

I don't recommend emailing local businesses unless you can find a partner with an existing house list that will send a solo out for you. Sending bulk emails cold is "unsolicited", in other words, spam.

Telemarketing can be an excellent approach. The best telemarketing vendor I've found is a local company that has contracts to call businesses and sell advertising in the state police association magazine, fish and game warden magazine, sponsorships for the shriner's circus, etc. These salespeople are trained to get decision makers on the phone and close them. And they really seem to enjoy my projects because it's a change of pace.

If you're just starting in local SEO services I suggest doing your first deal with a business you know like your dentist, chiropractor, day spa, or favorite pizza place. Take part of your fee in trade and it's easy to get a client.

The main thing is to quickly see what it's like to send an invoice 2 or 3 months out when the results you've achieved may be different than the expectations of your customer. I can only speak for myself and a few others I know, but you should know, when we actually close a deal where we walk away with a fat check, the next thing we do is spend a good chunk of that money on campaigns we know will drive some fast traffic. I tell prospects about this strategy from the beginning. Others choose to keep everything a mystery. I can't say either approach is better but full disclosure has always served me well.

BTW, I got burned out doing ongoing SEO contracts. There's no way to guarantee success and it's uncomfortable when you can't rank for a client no matter how hard you work. Paid traffic gigs are easier to close and I know I can dominate. I pitch SEO after we sign a deal. My SEO compensation is 100% performance based so there's basically no risk on either side. Of course, a well funded PPC campaign works as a secret weapon for the organic side. Deals structured this way produce happier clients and make me more money over a longer period of time.

One last thing. If you like the idea of going after the local market but don't want the commitment of ongoing contracts, I'm perfecting an approach of building websites for vertical markets where the clients are excited about the functionality instead of search rankings. These sites are built using free or very low cost plugins with a few minor enhancements. I can build one in 2 days then sell it for a couple thousand dollars. After that the site can be cloned and themed for a new customer in a few hours (but the price stays the same).

I'm combining this site building strategy with my direct marketing experience and some VoIP technology to target businesses across an entire region while appearing to be locally based in each market. I'm setting up a private membership site to collaborate with others interested in this strategy. Info will be shared that you won't find anywhere else. Send me a PM if you're interested.
- Thanks
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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

Check this out. For those of you still looking for access to real marketing lists - now you can go build your own targeted results from some of the best information available.

You'll get the most databases available through any source along with all the advanced features and functionality of the best online count and order system. This is what a lot of big time list brokers use.

This has been one of my closely guarded resources for years. I planned to disclose it in a paid offer that included training on how to use it to make at least $1000 in 48 hours or less but I just don't have the time right now.

I was sure somebody would have shared this already but I searched and couldn't find any posts mentioning it.

The company is AccuData. The site where you want to go and create a free account is their list portal at http://www.acculeads.com.

Explore the site and you quickly see the power of the data and tools at your fingertips. Instructions are embedded in the interface. If you want insider secrets on becoming a list broker, message me and I'll send a link to a private post I'm writing on my blog.

Thanks
1 reply

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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

I'm sharing the info in my next few posts due to the recent actions of some individuals currently selling yet another "offline marketing" course which is based on obviously limited business experience.

Your local lead generation clients need a CRM solution - not an autoresponder!
Setup a free Zoho CRM account for them CRM Software, Customer Relationship Management - Zoho CRM. Then generate a web-to-lead form to put on their site. Do your homework and the difference should be obvious. If it isn't, educate yourself on the reality of building a sales organization rather than a big opt-in list.

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

A lot of local prospects still prefer to pick up the phone, especially when they have an urgent need. Since you wouldn't run an online campaign without a great tracking solution, don't generate phone calls for your clients but leave them clueless about the value they're getting from it.

There's a lot of options for call tracking, however, the service to beat is provided by Ifbyphone | Cloud Telephony - Automate Your Phone Calls. Click on the partners link and you'll not only be a hero to your clients, you'll earn good reseller income and benefit from call statistics in your own business.

[ 1 ] Thanks
6 replies

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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

Build a local business directory website now if you haven't already.

My preference is the phpMyDirectory - Web Portal, Business Directory, Classifieds, Link Indexing script.

Leverage the principals of Network Theory. Include a large enough percentage of the businesses in your area and you'll hit the tipping point where it becomes more valuable for businesses to add their listing than not.

You should give every company a free listing then offer enhanced features at reasonable prices. Pay an intern to load up a bunch of initial entires then issue a press release notifying businesses they can add themselves for free.

As the site fills with user generated content your page rank will rise and you'll have a steady stream of new leads to call.

[ 2 ] Thanks
1 reply

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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

Instantly generate a geo-targeted website with landing pages for every business category in your market. Or take it to the level I have and build it out for the entire country. (Then cash out 30 days later for $10k if you get an offer from left field the way I did)

Go grab a ZIP code database from ZIP Code Postal Code Area Codes Database Subscription and Solution Services | ZIPCodeWorld.com. Then download WebMerge at 4W WebMerge - Publish Your FileMaker, Access, or Other Database on the Web and go crazy.

Thanks
1 reply

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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

Cash in on the real estate market regardless of the economy. Take a peek at Single Property Websites & Real Estate Marketing: SinglePropertySites™. Think creatively for a few minutes and your head should fill with ideas on how you can replicate that model with a few extras thrown and have customers lined up around the corner.

As you come across real estate professionals looking for a total solution, don't give in to the temptation to stuff them into WordPress. Tap the power of Open-Realty® 3.0. There's even an installer for it in Fantastico, although you shouldn't install anything with Fantistico other than test sites. Gurus that teach you to use Fantastico are showing their lack of real technical knowledge. The same goes for anybody recommending HostGator for your sites or GoDaddy for domains. If you're not sure why I say this let me know. It's not just a matter of opinion.

Thanks
2 replies

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Ron Kennedy

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Christopher Hansen

As you come across real estate professionals looking for a total solution, don't give in to the temptation to stuff them into WordPress. Tap the power of Open-Realty® 3.0. There's even an installer for it in Fantastico, although you shouldn't install anything with Fantistico other than test sites. Gurus that teach you to use Fantastico are showing their lack of real technical knowledge. The same goes for anybody recommending HostGator for your sites or GoDaddy for domains. If you're not sure why I say this let me know. It's not just a matter of opinion.

Ok then, I'll bite...

Why shouldn't you install using fantastico?

Great thread btw

Thanks

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rushindo

12 years ago

Originally Posted by Christopher Hansen

Gurus that teach you to use Fantastico are showing their lack of real technical knowledge. The same goes for anybody recommending HostGator for your sites or GoDaddy for domains. If you're not sure why I say this let me know. It's not just a matter of opinion.

What's wrong with HostGator?

Thanks

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AndrewCavanagh 12 years ago

When you're looking at the types of businesses to contact also think through your own experience in the past.

If you've worked a job or had a business in an industry or if you have friends with businesses in an industry you may have insights that could be valuable to those particular kinds of businesses.

Sometimes using the marketing ideas from one industry in another industry can be explosively successful.

So given the huge difference in the experiences people have and the random nature of which actual business owners they might talk to and what state of mind they might be in you never really know what kind of business you might get lucky with.

It's important to jump on opportunities as they come and really run with any good chances you get.

Kindest regards,
Andrew Cavanagh
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gforces 12 years ago

Definitely some 'meat' in this thread. As one mentioned the offline, direct marketing sector has been in action really since the postal service and phones and faxes have been in operation. It's a huge market for sure but there are a lot of good teachers out there as well... and on this forum by the looks. It just takes more capital and time than working things on the internet...but these days, with everyone one wanting the quick buck for no or little effort, this maybe the way of the future!!
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raysonsmith 12 years ago

Thanks friend for providing contact for offline business.
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Tim Hoogasian 12 years ago

Too many internet marketers trying to tap into "offline gold" forget to think like marketers. Remember: Ready, Aim, Fire... Not Ready, Fire, Aim!

Service businesses will benefit much more than product businesses. Especially, service businesses that will tap into frequent-repeat customers and/or "need it fixed NOW" segments.

A very short list of business types I like:
Hair / beauty salons
Day spas
Chiropractors
Massage therapists
DUI and Criminal defense attorneys
Emergency plumbers
Pest exterminators

(I do hope that DUI and Criminal attorneys won't have 'frequent client' clubs....)

Marketing starts with understanding which market(s) you want to reach, *why*, and what your true differentiator is for them. "Local-area businesses" is not a "market". Specific segment types are markets.

Consider why particular business segments attractive... but, think about it from a pragmatic marketing perspective. Do those segments tap hungry, repeat buyer segments? Do their customers use search engines to find a service they need right now? Do those business prospects have multiple cross-sell and upsell options? Do they typically generate multipe six-figure annual sales? What sort of annual advertising budget do they spend? (As a proxy to figure that, you can take a percentage from their annual sales, and also figure that if they're spending money on big / color ads with Yellow Pages, TV, Radio, and Billboards they have money to make it worth going after them as a paying client... not a charity case.)

If they only have a basic free entry in the Yellow Pages and aren't spending money to advertise elsewhere, much less have a website, or they're on blogger.com, what makes you think they'll see value to spend money on your services?
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Vincent1988 12 years ago

Thanks for sharing
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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

So you know, I'm not attempting to hijack this thread, it's simply that someone I care about got screwed by paying big money for crappy info published by losers who have no idea how much they don't know.

Stay tuned. After I get some sleep I'll drop the details of some really cool strategies.

Thanks

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Fernando Veloso

12 years ago

Chris, you're giving away everything here.

But yeah, hopefully people will understand what you're saying between the lines: there is A LOT of stuff we can do to get into biz owners office with a big smile and a "welcome" word!

Thanks

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Jimian

12 years ago

While all the lists are potential prospects, you want to avoid the time wasters...

Pick businesses that are typically run by the owners -- whereby they pick up the phone themselves so that you reach the decision maker immediately.

It's a major shortcut.

Florists, massage therapists ....it may be less money BUT it's a starting place to gain confidence.

Thanks
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Deidra Renee

11 years ago

Originally Posted by Jimian

While all the lists are potential prospects, you want to avoid the time wasters...

Pick businesses that are typically run by the owners -- whereby they pick up the phone themselves so that you reach the decision maker immediately.

It's a major shortcut.

Florists, massage therapists ....it may be less money BUT it's a starting place to gain confidence.

I agree..especially for newbies. That's why I asked about those high income clients and how hard is it to actually get them on the phone. I wouldn't recommend that for newbies starting out, but of course later on and with a GREAT telemarketer it's worth doing, but trying to get past a gatekeeper can discourage a newbie very quickly. Trust me, I hate talking to gatekeepers!!! lol

Thanks

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jrod014

12 years ago

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think anyone said this.

Gun Shops

I'm a gun owner and everytime I go to the range someone is buying the new accessory, optic, or ammo for their weapon.

You cant sell ammo online in 2011 But you can offer to create a website that handle range reservations, accessory sales, target sales and a forum for community interaction.

I apologize in advance if someone said gun shops/ shooting ranges but I didn't see it if it was listed.

What do you guys think, would you approach a gun shop/range? lol

Thanks
1 reply

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Christopher Hansen

12 years ago

This is a great suggestion by jrod. I rented a booth at a local gun show a few months ago. It cost me $75 for 2 days on a weekend. About 4000 people walked through and I picked up 2 new clients out of the other exhibitors.

As a gun nut this is perfect for me. I make money hanging around with great people and looking at a bunch of cool firearms.

I'm doing a knife show next month. The promoter is giving me a free booth in exchange for optimizing some images for his website.

These craftsmen hand build knives costing $5000 +. They don't need to convert much web traffic to get a huge return on my fees. (I drive traffic using good lists and postcard mailings. Cost per thousand is higher but the response smokes online buys. Plus they can use the postcards at shows, in their shops, etc.)

Originally Posted by jrod014

Correct me if I'm wrong but I don't think anyone said this.

Gun Shops

I'm a gun owner and everytime I go to the range someone is buying the new accessory, optic, or ammo for their weapon.

You cant sell ammo online in 2011 But you can offer to create a website that handle range reservations, accessory sales, target sales and a forum for community interaction.

I apologize in advance if someone said gun shops/ shooting ranges but I didn't see it if it was listed.

What do you guys think, would you approach a gun shop/range? lol

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marklucas8

12 years ago

I buy business contact lists that have that information, the SIC code, business owners contact info etc.

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Amir Luis

12 years ago

I have a girl starting tomorrow... she knows that until she proves herself, I told her she couldn't use my autodialer or my lead list....

She is going to go straight to Google... then type in the words.. "under construction MY CITY"

then pitch webdesign to all the results that come up in the search query...

Pretty tenacious if you ask me...

I told her to go to Manta.com when she finds out the company name and look up the owners name there. That way she will have someone to ask for.

Genius... talk about a targeted list.

Is that not a brilliant idea...

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vision1

12 years ago

Thanks for contributing your business list with us.

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deus ex

12 years ago

Google places and the yellow pages are the greatest of all lead lists in my opinion

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GrayGandalf

12 years ago

Guys, I can't thank you enough for sharing
This is an awesome thread

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iranklocalmarketing

12 years ago

If your just starting out, i still believe the yellow pages are your best resource. Businesses are spending ridiculous amounts of money on yellow page ads....who uses those anymore? They advertise there because they don't know any different. Dentist, dentist, dentist...they spend thousands on advertising and have the money to do so. And from a dental client of my own, he stated it's almost not about getting customers from the web, but being able to show their fellow piers that there on page one of google. It's a competition for them and mainly about their ego's.

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alfredmanor12

12 years ago

It is matter of personal choice and differs from personal to personal. Not every practices such practices.* Gathering information about potential and prospective clients is essential.

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Mufasa

12 years ago

Keep up the good info folks. New guy here, eves dropping and trying to soak it all in.

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brenmk

12 years ago

thanks for the many suggestions for offline marketing, hotels and grocery stores often have buliten boards to where you can put information on about your business.

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PaulKlein

12 years ago

One of my best strategies has been to build relationships with business owners long before I hit them up for building their base online.

I realize this isn't always going to be the case for most, but it beats cold calling. I worked around many of the business owners I know, or have been associated with them through other means, local clubs, etc. So now that I have been growing with my online work, they are finding out I know more about it than they do, and they are willing to pay someone they know, like and trust to handle the SEO, Social Media, and website work for them.

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samykim

12 years ago

One way that I've discovered is checking your local newpapers. If they have an ad up, then you know they have the money to advertize. You can check up their website and see how well they're doing in the rankings or if they even have a website.

From there, it's just contacting them and telling them what you can do to help promote their business.

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GeeHollings

12 years ago

Great great thread. Lots of info to start with. Personally I prefer using YP and CPC ads and businesses not on page 1. If you can find businesses that are paying for advertisers in multiple places and not on page 1 they are a very good prospect.

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thesorcerersapprentice

12 years ago

Hey guys great thread... wow so much information!

Here's my 2C.

Firstly I only look at businesses that have a high customer value (at least $150-$200 per customer transaction). That way it doesn't take many new customers each month to justify my fees, which is a great negotiating point when meeting with business owners. As such I look for many of the things already listed but particularly cosmetic surgery (botox and laser lipo are excellent).

Then I use GP Scraper to get an initial set of leads and target people who have a website and whose GP Listing is about page 4 or 5.

I have tried just about every method of cold calling but what for me has worked by far the best is then contacting these people (either by phone, email or both) and offering to do a free short (about 30 seconds) video for them and get it on page 1 in return for a testimonial. Works great... after all no-one is going to turn down something for free are they!

Then once you have shown them that you can deliver the sale becomes easy

Bit of a ramble there guys but hope that helps.

Best

Neil

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newpromarketing

12 years ago

We are finding great results working with contractors who are bold enough to place 1/2 - full page ads in the yellowpages. What we are doing is sending them a personalized DVD that showcases what are services are, and a special direct mail piece

) that get's open 100% of the time and in the hands of the decision maker.

I have personally been doing offline marketing for 2 years now, but recently I just hired 3 new sales reps (commission only) and the FIRST WEEK we closed $7K worth of business.

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jsherloc

12 years ago

Hi newpro,

I noticed you mentioned mailing out personalized DVDs to local business owners. Not to hijack this thread, but I'm experimenting with similar stuff and I'm curious to hear a bit more about the actual "content" of the DVD and mailer you're sending out to the businesses with half or full page YP ads.

- Jim

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sprks79

12 years ago

This is a great topic. So many people out there want to start making contacts but dont know how. It is exactly how I started in my offline venture a few years back. I find the businesses in the local area, whether they have no site or a site that isnt converting well. Some of my lists have gotten huge. Takes time and patience to do yourself, or outsource to someone who can do it.

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