Types of Mailing Lists
January 23rd, 2013
When choosing your mailing list, consider the various types of lists offered. List brokers offer a variety of specialty lists; here are some examples of specialty lists along with information on how the list is compiled.
Business Lists
Compiled using yellow page telephone listings then additional information is pulled from Federal, State and Municipal documents such as incorporations, SEC and other published data. Additional selects include the number of employees, sales volume and executive contact information including their title.
Consumer Lists
A consumer list is one of the largest mailing lists. It allows you to reach residents, or heads-of-households that have an interest in the product and/or service you offer. Criteria can be selected using age, gender, presence of children including age range or exact age, income, marital status, dwelling type, length of residence, mail order buyers, buying habits and more.
Resident/Occupant Lists
If you’re looking to reach every household and/or business in a targeted geographical area, you need a Resident/Occupant list. There is no named individual at the address. Since you are hitting every home and/or business within a designated area, there are no custom selects available (i.e. income level, household with children, etc.). Selections do include state, county, SCF, zip code, carrier route or radius from a fixed point. It is a very cost effective way to reach a large targeted area.
“Niche” Mailing Lists
While the most common lists available are business and consumer lists, there are “niche lists which represent different stages in life. During our own lifespan, we move through these stages (i.e. student, a registered voter, retirement, etc.). This type of list can be very powerful as you have the ability to use criteria that will “zero” in on your specific target market. In addition, it helps you target your message, offer products and/or services that fit the prospects and it can identify cross-selling opportunities. Here are some of the most popular available:
New Homeowners and Movers
Reach consumers who purchased a new home or moved recently, target within a specific demographic area to reach your audience. Fiiles are updated weekly and monthly. This group has an initial need to purchase all types of neighborhood services such as home furnishings, telephone and Internet service providers, banks, churches, doctors, schools, entertainment, etc.
Ethnic
Ethnic lists are compiled from various sources such as public real estate documents, census bureaus, financial publications and direct mail respondents. Selects include nationality, language preference or religious preference.
Lifestyles
Information is compiled from self-reported data and product registration cards. Target lists of art enthusiasts, automobile enthusiasts, books, camping, clothing, crafts, fishing, fitness, gardening, golf, home decorating, sports, wine, etc.
Registered Voters
Complete registered voters lists by city, state county and broken down by district. Information is gathered from election boards, county clerks and Board of Registrars. Contributors lists are also available with information on who contributed to political candidates, parties and PAC’s.
Credit Score
Credit reporting agencies make your information available to banks and credit card companies which then compile mailing lists and sends out offers.
Bankruptcy
Pull any Geography: zip, zip code with radius, SCF, county, city, metro area and state. Selects include chapter, payment amount, discharge or filing dates.
Ailment and Illness
Created by self-reported survey data, targeted by specific health issues including acid reflux, back pain, cancer, cholesterol, depression, diabetes, emphysema, weight problems and more.
Churches and Religious
Selects include denomination, religious leader, membership size and geography.
Magazine Subscribers
Magazine subscriber lists can tell you a lot about the prospective customer including whether they are the right customer for your business. If you are making a health or fitness product, then subscribers to a health and fitness magazine will be more likely to purchase your product.
Students
Target families by income level and children’s ages. Target this niche group for toys, clothing, photography, pediatrician and dentistry, camps, music, athletic equipment, amusement parks, etc. College student lists are also available.
Teachers
search criteria for this list can be identified by the grade taught, from kindergarten to high school. The individual teach can be identified from any subject department.
Ultra Affluent
The households in this list are extremely upscale, in both earnings and their propensity to spend. They are homeowners who are highly educated and employed in professional, technical, managerial and sales/service occupations. These households enjoy the pleasures of wines, gourmet foods, fashion, travel and cultural events.
Categories: Mailing Lists
