Email mailing list, are they reliable?

[Frenchsalesadministrator]

Hi

I want to email and present our services to school music teachers across the UK.
Are mailing list reliable and which companies are best to use?

Thanks

 

[fotobydan]

How do you define reliable?

If you are referring to generating sales from lists, then in my experience No. It depends on your service and profit margin...but for products that generate enough profit, a better approach would be to get on the phone and generate reliable data yourself with decision makers name and email address. Start to build that relationship with a list that is engaged and not going to be hammered by every company who has purchased that list.

Having said that, buying a huge list and emailing them, you may get one or two bites. Throw enough mud at a wall and you'll get some that'll stick.

 

[CarlyNewton123]

It depends what Market - education sector, emails is a great idea!

 

[tonymac84]

If the cost of your acquisition of the email contacts is low, then it can be a viable solution. Other forms of advertising may not hit your exact target audience but you'll be putting your service in front of the right people this way.

 

[quartzdata]

Hi

Email lists can work, but it requires careful targeting and some due diligence to maximise deliverability. Although email marketing is seen as a cheap (almost throw away) method of marketing, it is often done badly. Results will vary hugely dependent upon data quality, subject line, sender/ip reputation, data targeting, creative, engaging copy etc.

For the sector you are looking to promote to, there are limited options - email marketing directly to specific decision makers in the education sector is generally offered as a managed service (i.e. the data owner will undertake the broadcast, once approved, and offer post transmission reporting). In my experience you will not be able to rent/buy named email addresses from a reputable source for specific decision makers (e.g. music teachers) in the education sector. You may howeve be able to obtain names and school telephone numbers where you could undertake a telemarketing campaign - more expensive but generally more engaging if done well with a compelling ofering.

Good luck

Ian

 

[Ross Barnard]

Hi,

It's not advisable to purchase email lists, mainly because bad data can affect your sender reputation and deliverability, and subsequently lead to blacklisting. You would also rather reach out to contacts you know want to hear from you, rather than 'cold calling'.

The best way to grow your contacts is organically - for example, adding a popover with a form to your website. Another good way to gather leads is to create useful (and free) downloadable content based on people's challenges; this content could be behind a form and you ask for contact details in return.

search 'dotmailer building your email list' and you'll find a free guide with lots of other tips.

Good luck!

 

[lesliedocherty]

Hi,

It's not advisable to purchase email lists, mainly because bad data can affect your sender reputation and deliverability, and subsequently lead to blacklisting. You would also rather reach out to contacts you know want to hear from you, rather than 'cold calling'.

The best way to grow your contacts is organically - for example, adding a popover with a form to your website. Another good way to gather leads is to create useful (and free) downloadable content based on people's challenges; this content could be behind a form and you ask for contact details in return.

search 'dotmailer building your email list' and you'll find a free guide with lots of other tips.

Good luck!

Not sure i agree with that 100%, if done carefully using the right company, really segmenting your list, it can work, see a thread from @webgeek
http://www.ukbusinessforums.co.uk/threads/avention.369362/