03/ 14/ 2002
Any small company that offers products or services should be extremely interested in contacting businesses that are just setting up shop. Why? Because the owners quite likely haven’t had time to look into everything they will need to run their businesses and will appreciate you saving them the footwork. In today's Workshop, contributor Jeffrey Moses discusses how to find out about new businesses and contact them as soon as they open.
The most commonly needed services and products include:
- Office equipment and furniture
- Marketing and graphic design
- Insurance
- Janitorial
- Printing
- Signs
- Accounting/payroll
- Banking
- Security systems
Traditionally, there have been only a few ways to locate new businesses. One way is to contact local chambers of commerce. Another is to access databases of city, county or state licensing departments. A third, far less systematic way is to simply keep your eyes open as you drive around town. Yellow Page ads usually aren't helpful, because by the time the ad appears, the business is already fairly well established.
By far the most effective and economical way to inform new businesses about your company is by mail. But first, you must learn about the businesses, and find their mailing addresses.
Many of the large mailing list companies around the country provide information about local businesses that have recently opened. And most metropolitan areas have local services that can provide accurate, up-to-date lists of new companies opening in the area. These companies (both national and local) can supply updated lists weekly, monthly, and in some cases even daily, which allows your business to make timely mailings to new businesses.
Several national companies such as Hugo Dunhill (800-216-7433) and American Business Information (800-332-7430) have divisions dedicated to gathering information about new businesses. They provide regular two-week updates on their lists.
