Yet Another B2B Data request thread!

[electroforms]

Hello

I'm new to business and unsure of a few things regarding getting 'cold' B2B data lists:

1 - Is it legal? It's not for telephone calls, but emails and direct mailing.
2 - Can I just trawl through Yellow Pages and compile my own list, and send them marketing material? Time-intensive I know, but just curious if that's 'allowed'.
3 - If I buy a list from a company (am sure I will get a few offers!), do I have any guarantee that this is genuine data? If I receive complaints, can I point them in the direction of the source of the data?

I've resisted going down this route, but haven't had any penetration in the past 6 months as no-one knows I exist!

To me, the options I have left are either advertising (expensive) or cold mailing.

Any advice appreciated.

Thanks
Duncan

 

[electroforms]

This is what I mean, from a thread posted today:

"Firstly you have to obtain permission from the subscriber, if they are a business to business customer, to send them correspondence. If you do not have this permission you will be breaking the law as this is regarded as unsolicited email. This doesnt apply to b2c customers however the information within the campaign still needs to be relevant."


Is it? I thought B2C was against the law, but B2B was fair game?

 

[OldWelshGuy]

B2B is not covered by the email laws, as the email laws were only brought in as a result human rights giving 'the right to privacy in the family and home life'.

However, you can not use yellow pages as a prospecting tool that is illegal.

 

[electroforms]

Thanks, Yellow Pages is now off-limits (sounded like a bad idea anyway!) but I'm curious WHY it's illegal?

If it's not illegal to send marketing material to Business (i.e. there is no 'opt-out' scheme the way there can be for households) then why does it matter where I get the data from?

I'm not going to start spamming but I'd like to know the rules!

 

[ADS-MARKETING]

Asking if a business is in need of your services is not a problem. As long as you don't contact them every day of the year.

If you need any help with marketing just let me know.