Build List

You can buy mailing lists for all types of different industries or interest groups. You will be much more successful if you create your own mailing list. Some ways to get names for your mailing list include:

1. Joining associations, groups and networking.

When you join your chamber or any association, you will get a membership list with contact information, which is a benefit of joining groups and associations. Some people join just to get those lists. Here is your first mailing list, send them all a letter with your postcard and/or business card introducing yourself, and your books by telling them you are a new member of this group and look forward to getting to know everyone.

2. Who are you selling to?

If you are selling anything, special reports, books, giving speeches or classes, you will have a list of your customers.

3. Creating a newsletter and joining online discussion groups.

If you have an online newsletter or discussion group, you will have that list of names.

4. Look up the local press.

In order to create a media list you should go to the local store and pick up copies of the papers that are sold in your area. Look through them, and you can also look up their websites and get information on how and who to send press releases to. This will begin your media list.

5. Networking.

You might have lists of people you are doing joint ventures with, a networking list of people you meet for lunch or coffee, teachers, friends, family. Some associations will sell you a sheet of mailing labels with members addresses already printed on them. You can use those labels to directly market your books by direct mail to those members. Remember, the more your book is in front of people the more likely they are to purchase it.

This article is an excerpt from Mosquito Marketing for Authors, by Michelle Dunn, author of 7 books. Visit www.michelledunn.com for more information on Michelle’s Mosquito Marketing Series and look for her Special Reports “How to make $10,000.00 Marketing & Selling your Books” and “How to make your Book Virtually Immune to Competition” that will help you be more successful!