Finding name of business owners

[Andy Walpole]

This must have been covered before but every time I enter "Finding name of business owner" in the search facility I get an error message.

Say, for instance, I was to use yell.com to find local accountants. The plan is that I'm going to write to local accountants offering my services and then ring a week later as a follow up.

I want to write to a name at the company though rather just sent a cold letter... do people have any recommendations about finding the name of the owner for a business?

 

[kate1]

Hi,

Lot of companies operate a "no name policy"

I would recommend buying a database. Even if you rang the names on the database before sending any correspondence, just to double check that you are sending your literature to the correct person. Having a name is better than having nothing at all. Up to data databases are pretty accurate

 

[MikeJ]

Phone them. Takes time, but establishing a contact ahead of time to tell them who you are, what you do will prime them before they see the mail.

 

[kate1]

You can phone, but you will come across alot of "no name policy"

 

[phenoptix]

Limited companies you can at least find names at companies house. Since you're looking at accountants you might want to get a copy (or borrow one) of the ICAEWs accountants directory. You can just buy the contact details from them directly. I think the ACCA and CIMA boards will do the same. You'll get addresses, phone and a contact name.

 

[Simon12]

The companies house website can tell you who the directors of any limited company are

 

[TOMShop]

This must have been covered before but every time I enter "Finding name of business owner" in the search facility I get an error message.

Say, for instance, I was to use yell.com to find local accountants. The plan is that I'm going to write to local accountants offering my services and then ring a week later as a follow up.

I want to write to a name at the company though rather just sent a cold letter... do people have any recommendations about finding the name of the owner for a business?

Don't use Yell for this purpose, it's against their Terms and Conditions (I know, lots of people do it). You are not allowed to use the data on their website for marketing purposes.

You are best off approaching someone like MarketingFile, MarketSafe etc who will be able to sell you a list with full contact details (contact name, address, telephone number, etc etc).

Search for "list brokers", "list owners", "renting a mailing list" into Google, it will give you a nice list of companies that will be able to supply a list.

Ant