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How do I compile a residential list for direct mailing?

I know there are companies that I can buy these lists from, but I am fine with doing the work myself. I just don't know where to start. Aside from grabbing the phone book and just typing my heart out. Any info will be greatly appreciated. Thanks!

Public Comments

1. Oh boy, that is a big job. Ummm ... try copy and paste from http://www.yellowpages.com The drawback in performing this task in this manner is no demographic information, which if you are on a lower budget, which I assume you are, it is a lot harder to segment a target market for what is to be offered. In other words you will be mailing out tons of mailers and increasing your costs in production and delivery of the mailers while potentially reducing the succesful outcome of a sale.
2. Note that phone-book data is extremely "incomplete," in that it includes partial addresses for many residential customers. For example, no apartment numbers are included. In addition, the phone book excludes anyone who uses a cell phone as their primary telephone, and anyone who has requested an unlisted number. Data from the phone book is also quite dated -- even if you try using data from a book that's just been printed, you'll probably find that 5% to 10% of residential customers listed have already changed their address. And of course, the phone book gives you no useful data about the people listed, other than their address. Consider what you're paying to mail to these people: including the cost of a very inexpensive mailer, you're going to spend at least 50 cents per piece to send first-class mail, and at least 30 cents per piece for bulk (standard) mail. Why not buy a list that's been tested and verified, and perhaps pay a little bit extra for the exact demographic you want to reach? The cost of buying or renting a mailing list might easily be offset by the money you save by not mailing to a lot of unqualified people.