Building Your Direct Mailing List

Have you ever wondered why it is that small businesses have such a good relationship with their customers while big businesses turn profits but never really "see" their customers until one of them threatens to drag them into court? The foundation of today's marketing and advertising campaigns isn't built on the mass marketing appeal of the past but on an up close and personal, "getting to know you" basis, which is why building a direct mailing list for your business is so important.

By building your direct mailing list, either through e-mail or snail mail (or both, if you're lucky!) you'll be able to let your customers know you're interested in them and in letting them know about what's happening in your industry. Direct mailing lists keep your customers up to speed on what your business is doing and lays the foundation for plenty of repeat business.

The question is, how do you build your direct mailing list?

There are a couple of ways you can build your direct mailing list. If your store runs out of a physical location you can ask your customers to leave you their name and address/email address when they come in to shop. Make sure you tell them what they're signing up for though! The idea is to make them feel like they're getting added value out of the deal, not picking up another stalker that's going to flood their mailbox with SPAM! The good news is, owning a physical storefront puts you in a prime position to enjoy the returning business a direct mailing list can generate-especially if you throw some coupons into the mix.

You always have the option of buying a mailing list. This can get you started by piggybacking on the back of other marketers who have culled through the huge realms of consumers out there to find those that are interested in your niche or industry. Be careful, however. If you're using a randomly generated direct mailing list your mailings will have to be full of value-there are other marketers out there doing the exact same thing, and it won't be long before these consumers go into overdrive and just start deleting or throwing away anything that pops up in their mailbox.

The third way to build your direct mailing list is to include an opt-in option on your website. (Pro Tip: You should be doing this anyway!) Your website is a valuable tool, and by giving people an anonymous opt-in option you're getting willing customers rather than unwilling victims. Just make sure your opt-out process is just as simple!

Discover more tools to build your direct mailing list at www.1uptoyou.com.