First Quarter 2009 Sales are up over 30% against Q1 '08 here at DCS Marketing Solutions LLC and GreatMailingLists.com. I don't say this to be boastful--although it is nice to see--but as a thank you to our customers and more importantly as a barometer of change in today's business marketplace.
Change or Die
These are the worst of times, these are the best of times, to paraphrase Charles Dickens. For almost everyone, concern over finacial instability and the present--let alone the future--is a reality and not just an emotional response. Need I go on?...
This is the 30th year that I am blessed to be working in the Direct Marketing industry. I have observed many socio and economic changes in this country during this time--having worked during three (3) prior economic downturns (although none quite as harsh as this one) and one thing stands out to me about Amercian Business throughout.
- Small business drives this country during economic downturns.
- Big business will never fail to screw good people.
- Americans are a resourceful lot and we come up with workable solutions where others see none.
- Greedy people suck.
And where is all this leading...why Change of course!
Change is why my company's business is outperforming 1st Qtr. 2008.
The landscape of American business is once again changing and a multitude of small businesses are being launched by former executives and sales people from bigger businesses. The net result is leaner, more lithe businesses that are better prepared to bend with the prevailing wind and not snap like a tree in a hurricane.
These businesses need cost effective solutions that don't hold them to annual contracts or exhorbitant minimums. And that is why our Mission Statement is: "GreatMailingLists.com is a website developed to provide superior general interest and niche market direct mailing lists and email marketing lists to small and mid-sized businesses. Because these lists are available direct online, we are able to keep costs down--which we pass on to you, the end user. "
And even with our low costs and low minimums, we have been known to work with new businesses to help them to establish themselves whenever necessary.
I have been known to spend 15 or 20 minutes talking with a prospective customer trying to talk them out of doing what they thought was a great idea...why? Because it's the right thing to do, and wish there were more people out in the business world who would do the same for me in certain situations.
I'm told we reap what we sow.
First Quarter Sales are up over 30% here.
If you'd like some help with your direct marketing efforts, send me an email at dcslistguy@greatmailinglists.com
In the next few weeks we will be launching an entirely new way to target local prospects on a nationwide scale.
Now you say awe shucks Doug, I've tried premover lists before, they work ok in a brisk marketplace, but in today's economy--simply knowing that someone is advertising their house for sale is not a measureable indicator that they are moving. TRUE.
That's because you haven't tested our Premovers yet. These premovers come from moving related services sources and we have the ACTUAL MOVE DATE.
Now these leads don't come cheaply, but think about this. These leads give you the ability to communicate with a New Mover before they even move into their new neighborhood. That type of leg-up on the competition is priceless.
At DCS Marketing Solutions LLC and GreatMailingLists.com it doesn't matter to us whether you drive a Porsche or a Chevy. If you're looking for help to grow your business, we're here.
Maybe it's because I have been making a living for myself and my family for over 28 years in mailing list direct marketing, or maybe it's just because I'm a thin-skinned big baby... but I can't help getting rankled (nice way to say P.O.ed) each time I hear these uninformed news people and self-righteous soap-box preaching online pundits trash direct mail by calling it "Junk Mail".
Are all email marketers SPAMMERS?
Of course not!
So why is it that all direct mail marketers are junk mailers?
Exactly! They are not.
In fact, every legitimate direct mail marketer wants to mail to as few people who are not interested in their offer as possible. The wrong list fails to target people who would want to buy from you - and it is costly.
A properly segmented and selected mailing list is one of the most accurate means for any business to target an audience of people who want their product or service.
The beauty of direct marketing is its measurability. It is far more measurable advertising media than Broadcast TV/Cable, Space Advertising and Radio.
"Buy Mailing Lists"
The direct mail mailing list is the most significant factor in a successful direct mail marketing campaign and a major point to consider in small business marketing strategies where marketing ROI (Return On Investment) is a key concern.
What really makes your direct mail marketing and advertising campaign successful?
The biggest single factor in the success of your direct mail marketing strategy is who you send your mailings to.
You need a mailing list. You need a good mailing list. You need a Targeted mailing list.
Who and where you buy mailing lists from is up to you. You can go with a large nationwide giant, you can go with a local outfit, or you can go with a company that listens to what you are trying to accomplish and helps you develop the best possible list available.
However you choose to proceed, the mailing list must contain the names of people who are likely to be interested in the product or service that you offer.
What kinds of lists are available?
There are basically two types of lists (other than your own house file of existing customers and current prospects) that you can use:
1. A Response list is a list of people that have purchased a product, subscribed to a publication, donated to an organization or joined some type of membership. They have some level of interest in the topic or purpose of the list.
While these people have not previously responded to you, they have responded to someone in a related area (if you have purchased a correctly targeted list) so you know they are at least warm. Many large scale direct marketers operate under the RFM (Recency, Frequency and Monitary Value) rule when selecting a list. It is a direct marketing axiom that the closer to a direct mail purchasing/subscribing/donating action you can offer a similar product or service, the more apt the object person is to engage. Response lists identify a behavioral action. Response lists are also typically more expensive and require higher minimums than the second type of list-Compiled Lists.
2. A Compiled list is a list of people who were selected to be on the list because they possess the characteristics that you are trying to target.
Examples of characteristics used to target might include adult age, gender, household income level, marital status, etc. These are more fixed characteristics than response list characteristics, which are behavioral characteristics. Compiled lists
Mailing lists, correctly targeted, will make the difference between a mediocre promotional campaign to a wildly successful promotional campaign
Junque Mail
Junque mail typically is mail that is not directed to a specifically targeted audience. In my youth, we used to refer to it as "shotgun marketing" shoot it up in the air and hope that it hits something...
From the many Billions of dollars in direct mail sales each year, it is clear that Consumers do not mind receiving mail promoting products and services they have an interest in. That is direct mail.
When unsolicited mail overpowers the mail box, that is when it becomes junk.
Studies show that 70% of the US population still prefers direct mail to email or telemarketing calls.
No matter how you spell it, slice it or dice it, no one wants to receive mail they have no interest in and has no relevance to them.
When you buy mailing lists, make sure that you have done your homework to best understand who your customer is, or who you are trying to reach. This way you can work with a consultative list professional to purchase the best mailing list(s) available and stop the waste.