Picking Seminar Mailing Lists

The Mailing List You Use Can Make or Break the Success of Your Seminar Promotions. Here’s How to Get Started on Picking the Right List for Your Seminar Marketing EffortsnnBy Jenny Hamby, the Seminar Marketing Pro™nCertified Guerrilla Marketer and Direct-Response CopywriternnnIf you’re concerned about being able to pick the right list for your seminar marketing efforts, congratulations. You’re right to be concerned … because your mailing list can make or break the success of your seminar promotions. Here’s where to start.nnLook in-house first. Any type of relationship with you or your company is preferable to no relationship at all. Before you start hunting for a mailing list to rent or purchase, see what type of list you can put together by going through client files, your Rolodex … maybe even your old telephone message pads. nnThe very best prospects for your next seminar are people who have attended other seminars you’ve given … or who have otherwise put their names on your mailing list. Obviously, customers (people who have paid you for your services, products and/or information) are better qualified than prospects who have asked to be put on your mailing list or who have called to request information about your services. nnIf you’re ready to rent a list, look for prospects who have attended other seminars. The idea is that if they’ve paid to attend seminars in the past, they’ll pay to attend them again because they obviously enjoy and benefit from this form of learning.nnThe next-best prospects when renting or purchasing a mailing list are individuals whose profiles match the profile of your existing customers. For example, you may want prospects who are in the same age group, have the same job title or responsibilities, work in the same industry, are in the same income bracket, or even read the same magazines.nnMany list owners, such as training companies and magazine publishers, make their mailing lists available for rent. To find a list that matches what you are looking for, turn to the Direct Marketing List Source®, published by Standard Rate and Data Service Media Solutions. It’s a huge directory of the mailing lists available for rent. Call your local library to track down a copy. Or contact the organizations directly for a referral to their mailing list manager or list broker.nnn