| From | "Crystal Clean Windows" <addressis@removed> |
| Date | Thu, 10 Jun 2004 08:15:54 -0500 |
|
Just
another datapoint...
If you
go to http://www.reversephonedirectory.com
you can also do reverse addresses lookups, just like anywho (you can pull all
the addresses with the same street name). But there is also a link that
will let you purchase address information for $.12 per listing (without phone
numbers; $.15 if you want those) and search for it in any number of ways,
including a *radius* around the address, which I find most helpful (that way you
can reach the "backyard" neighbors). (NB: You can also, of course, search
for data any other way you want it: area code, zip code, street name,
state, city, etc. There are price breaks for very large pulls)
The search is set up so that you can exclude PO boxes and addresses with
apartment numbers. The minimum number of records you can retrieve
in a radius is 50, which works out to $6.00. I then run the list
through mail merge and print off 50 postcards that asks if the addressee
has noticed the "new brilliance" in the neighborhood at such-and-such an
address and asks if they too would enjoy the pleasure of dazzlingly clear
windows; call for a free estimate, blah-blah-blah. Total cost for 50
addresses (with postcards) is $17.
I've
only been doing this for about a month, but so far I'm averaging at least one
call per mailing (2% capture rate, which is pretty good for direct mail).
In cases where I do capture a new customer in the neighborhood, I go ahead and
resend another 50 postcards, which means some neighbors are seeing now that TWO
of their neighbors have gotten clean windows--the pressure to conform begins to
mount, eh? <grin>. Obviously at some point to continue to send
cards would be counterproductive (and probably irritating to old and new
clients), but so far I haven't had the luxury of *that*
problem.
Anyway, just another technique to consider.
Bill
McDonald
Crystal Clean Windows
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