For a long time companies have compiled their own customer email lists usually by offering a free product that the person signs up for. Once you have their email address you can then add it to your list for future sales and product launches. It can take some time to build a good email list. People who want an email list quicker than it would be to build your own, may want to approach a list broker about your needs.

A list broker is usually a data company that compiles email databases in different categories so that those who want an email or direct mailing list can purchase one quickly and easily. The fact of the matter is that there is a mailing list for almost every product and service that you can think of. In general, list brokers rent their mailing list to people like you, so that you can send out your direct mail.

Most list brokers will ask for the date of your mailing to try and ensure that no other, similar mailing, goes out at the same time. Because you are only renting the list, most list brokers will insist that you only use the names once, which can be a draw back. Most email marketing campaigns follow a pattern and require you to send several emails to the same person in order to make them aware of the importance of what you may be trying to sell them.

You can hire a list compiler to research and put together a consumer mailing list that is targeted specifically to your needs. This kind of service is not cheap, but it's usually one where you can rest assure that the information on that particular list will not be passed on to anyone else. A list compiler will work to your instructions, which means that when they compile the list they will be looking at companies and individuals who are most likely to reply to your campaign.

Most mailing list companies work to update their email addresses every day, but because these lists are rented out to people at different times, it's highly likely that you could be targeting consumers who have already been targeted by someone else. List brokers often segment their lists as much as possible because this allows you, the client, to rent or purchase a list that matches your requirements as closely as possible.

If you send out a direct mail to five hundred potential customers and you get fifty replies then this could be seen as a good return on your investment, if you have got those people to visit a particular website or make a telephone call. Some list brokers will require customers such as you to purchase a minimum number of names or they might simply charge by the hundreds.

If you've not tried using a consumer mailing list that has been compiled by a list broker, then it may be worth trying it out, if only to see how much time and money it could save you.