So you’re looking for mailing lists of businesses that will buy your product or service. Following are 10 places to start your search.
1) Use SIC codes: An SIC (Standard Industrial Classification) code is part of a United States government system used for classifying industries. It is being replaced by the six-digit North American Industry Classification System, but certain government departments and agencies, such as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), still use the SIC codes.
2) Directories: You can find directories for just about any industry, by geographical regions (state, county, local community), and several other ways. These lists usually names, addresses, personnel (name and/or title) and some demographic information like the size of the company, number of employees, telephone number and the products or services they sell.
3) Trade show registrants: There are a couple of types you can look for. One would be people who register at an individual booth and the other is a list of people who register for the show itself.
4) Dun & Bradstreet: This is an excellent source that will help you find business owners, major executives, doctors, lawyers, insurance agents and more.
5) Standard & Poors: This source will give you the major manufacturers in the United States. You’ll also find many thousands of executives by name and title.
6) Business mail order buyers: There are hundreds of mail order businesses that sell to other businesses – mainly through catalogs.
7) Special sources: Some list providers specialize in certain classifications like banks, libraries, schools, churches, dentists, lawyers, nurses, hospitals and more.
8) Magazine publishers: There are industrial magazines that serve many different business classifications, and they will rent the names of their subscribers.
9) Newsletter publishers: Like magazine publishers, newsletter publishers cover many industries and will either rent names to you or exchange names with you.
10) Rosters of attendance: Often you will find attendance rosters from those who teach seminars or hold business meetings for niche markets that may be a good fit for your product or service.