I wanted to comprise an e-mail list of local bussiness. I know there are services for that but I have more time then $ right now so I was wondering if anyone has any experience or tips to give.
So far I have thought of the following ways, I will edit this list as people give ideas.
Phone book
Local Flyers at grocery stores (realitors and car dealers always have these for free)
Google (not sure on this one but I bet I can find some)
What is the purpose for this list? If it is for advertising then wouldn’t that be considered spam?
yes for advertising. Is that not allowed or in poor taste?
I was thinking I could get my name to many more store front owners per hour by looking up there e-mail then to pounding the pavement. I do not have a good process yet but just googleing (is that a word? google ing? ) I found 15-20 per hour on average and there is no way I could get that many walking. Plus I can work on it non bussiness hours.
I think the business owner would prob just delete the email, jmo.I usually dont open emails unless I know who its from, if i dont recognize the sender ill delete. Go face to , meet them, again jmo.
I think if your going to compile a list you need to get them to opt in to it somehow. Try to collect email address whenever you can, maybe you could do a little drawing or something.
make sure who ever you decide to send to once you have your list. That you provide a link to be removed from the list or else it will be considered SPAM and you can get in trouble. Search CAN SPAM ACT. It will give you the requirements for email marketing.
I should have put this in my origional post, for anyone considering doing this to be legal you have to follow these rules.
The CAN-SPAM Act: A Compliance Guide for Business | BCP Business Center
I do not expect a big return on this, nor is this a major part of my marketing. This was my first year in business and I marketed 90% resedential. Winter is here and I am finding myself with a lot of extra time to fill. I just thought sending a ton of e-mail to commercial companys with a subject line somthing like, “Local company wants to save you 15% monthly”. May get a few responces with little investment except for my time. If they open the e-mail they will get a flyer/coupons advertising. Worst case I figure it puts my company name in the back of there head in case they are ever in the phone book looking for this service they might remember me.
