golpher Posted August 31, 2009 Share Posted August 31, 2009 I remember reading something on here about finding information on local businesses (number of employees) at the library. I looked around but could not find the article. My question is: Can I find this same information somewhere on-line? I am getting ready to start locating and would like to have a gameplan for which locations I should start with. Thanks, Andy Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
soco Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Hi Andy, I like using the internet too, but when I'm prospecting for business I spend a few hours driving around industrial parks and business areas noting things like building size and the number of vehicles in parking lots. This also helps me get a sense of where a specific business is located and where it can fit on my weekly route. Then I either cold call and leave my business card, or spend a few dollars on a a small mailing to a given area (addresses come off the internet). Example: with a mailing of 35 pieces I got a new account, and one solid maybe. With cold calling I am 2 for 3 in new accounts. Clearly the cold calling paid off, however my free time to do it is not always during business hours, so targeted mailings are still part of my prospecting. My route is part time and as is the time I can put into it, and I am pleased with the marketing results at this point. My goal is to build the route into a full time business. Good luck! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Quarter Master Posted September 1, 2009 Share Posted September 1, 2009 Andy, The type of info you are looking for usually has a large fee attached. However, you might try your local city government(City Hall) for a list of "registered" business's. Maybe they can lead you in the right direction. Hope this helps. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poplady1 Posted September 3, 2009 Share Posted September 3, 2009 The data base you might be thinking of is ReferenceUSA. It is a business research data base normally provided at the library. Just go in and ask if someone can show you how to get on the system. They should be able to show you, I think you need a library card and a code. You cannot print or download from the database unless you pay for each sheet. I recently got a report from ReferenceUSA and they billed me $1400 for 5000 listings. So you need to jot down the companies you want to call. I think this might help you a great deal if you are calling on full line locations but not so much for bulk. Bev Blue Moose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 You can also try Sales Genie as a source of business marketing info. While much of it is directed to marketing to individuals and families some of the database information you can access include employers and number of employees. Some of it will even have the names of officers of the corporation and key management. Subscription is much less than $1400. Try the link, I think I got it set up right. http://salesgenie.com/SalesGenie/Index.aspx?bas_vendor=99831 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BluePlate Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 The 2 I use are: www.manta.com - Good if you know the name of the business. IT then gives you all the details www.melissadata.com - Good if you are pulling small amount of data. I think 10 cents a listing. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poplady1 Posted September 7, 2009 Share Posted September 7, 2009 Mission I just wanted to be sure you understand using InfoUSA at the library is free. No charge. You can sit there all day writing down the numbers you want to call. All free. If you want to have the information downloaded to your computer at your office, then they charge you. Blue Moose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
mission vending Posted September 11, 2009 Share Posted September 11, 2009 Yes I was aware, but didn't think about that option. (my bad ) My residence is somewhat rural, no cable, no DSL, only satellite and Verizon Aircard for anything faster than dialup. It's also approx 15 miles to nearest library so for me it's easier to pay for it. Thanks for pointing that out though, I'm sure others can benefit from the knowledge easier than I can. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Poplady1 Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 Tell me what area you want and I will get you a free data run. Just give me a county or phone prefix, something to go on and the type of business you want to contact. I bought a huge data base which I can certainly share with some of you rural guys. I know you have email so I can just shoot it over in a excel format. (do you have excel) if not I can mail you a hard copy. Blue Moose Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sbishop Posted September 14, 2009 Share Posted September 14, 2009 I just went to infoussa.com set up an account and got 100 free leads. I serached for manufactoring with 20 - 1k empolyees in my town. It came up with more than 100. So, I clicked choose the ones you want and picked the first 100 from the list and hit the checkout button. No charge and they emailed me the list in seconds. For me, 100 leads is going to take a long time to go through. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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