Frequently Asked Questions
Direct Mail vs. Direct Marketing
Many people confuse the terms “direct mail” and “direct marketing.” Direct mail refers to printed materials sent to a selected audience to elicit a response, such as letters, postcards, or brochures. In contrast, direct marketing encompasses a broader range of techniques that use targeted communications to drive response and action.
Direct mail is just one of the tools within the direct marketing toolkit and is often paired with other communication channels, such as email, social media, or telemarketing, to create integrated campaigns.
If you’re contacting a direct marketing agency like Connect Digital Ventures, chances are we offer direct mail as part of our services. However, to maximize the value of your inquiry, it’s better to describe the problems you’re trying to solve and why you think direct mail is a solution. This approach allows us to explore the best strategy for your needs, which may include direct mail or other marketing techniques.
Pricing for Services
When asking about pricing, it’s important to understand that costs depend on the size, scope, and complexity of your campaign. Instead of requesting a generic price list, it’s more effective to request a proposal based on your specific needs. Factors such as strategy, goals, target audience, and metrics influence the final price.
Connect Digital Ventures is committed to developing solutions tailored to your goals. To begin, we’d need a detailed discussion to map out your requirements.
Response Mailing Lists vs. Compiled/Database Mailing Lists
There are two main types of mailing lists:
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Response Mailing Lists
- Composed of individuals or businesses that have taken specific actions, such as making purchases, subscribing to magazines, responding to advertisements, or opting in for communications.
- Highly targeted and proven to be effective, as the recipients have shown prior engagement.
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Compiled/Database Mailing Lists
- Standard Compiled Lists: Generated from public records, surveys, and other open sources. These lists are inexpensive but come with no quality guarantees.
- Custom-Built Verified Lists: High-quality B2B databases built with stringent data verification. These lists include accurate email, phone, and postal records and are suitable for precise targeting. Connect Digital Ventures ensures these databases are updated regularly and meet the highest quality standards.
Finding Mailing Lists to Reach Your Audience
Our team specializes in helping you identify the right audience for your campaigns. Simply describe the characteristics of your target audience, and we will recommend the most suitable records for your needs. This consultation is provided at no cost.
Mailing List Costs and Discounts
Mailing list costs are determined by the list owner and are typically based on the number of records you rent or purchase. Discounts may apply for large orders. Additional costs may be incurred for advanced segmentation, such as geographic filters, demographic selects, or other customizations.
What is a Mailing List Broker?
A mailing list broker:
- Conducts research to find the best lists for your campaign.
- Negotiates pricing and manages the acquisition process.
- Ensures data accuracy and compliance with privacy laws.
At Connect Digital Ventures, we act as your trusted broker, ensuring you receive the highest quality data at competitive rates.
Mailing List Manager
A mailing list manager maintains the integrity of databases, ensures proper data hygiene, and provides usage reports. This ensures the mailing lists you purchase are up to date and highly accurate.
Key Terms in Mailing Lists
- Data Card: A brief describing the details of a mailing list, including audience size, data segments, pricing, and delivery options.
- Net Name Arrangements: A process to avoid paying for duplicate records when merging multiple lists. Agreements typically include a percentage threshold for duplicates and additional charges for excess records.
Custom Segmentation
We offer precise targeting to identify your ideal audience, such as:
- Consumer Lists: Filter by geography, income, age, gender, purchasing habits, and more.
- Business Lists: Filter by SIC code, company size, revenue, industry, and executive title.
List Ownership and Usage
- Rented Lists: Typically for one-time use, unless re-use rights are negotiated.
- Purchased Lists: Connect Digital Ventures provides verified, unlimited-use databases tailored to your needs.
Compliance with Global Privacy Regulations
Connect Digital Ventures complies with all major data privacy regulations, including:
- GDPR (General Data Protection Regulation)
- CCPA (California Consumer Privacy Act)
- CASL (Canada Anti-Spam Law)
- US-EU-Swiss Privacy Shield Framework
We ensure all data sourcing and processing meet the strictest compliance standards.
Data Accuracy and Updates
Our databases are updated quarterly and verified against the National Change of Address (NCOA) registry and other sources. This ensures the data remains fresh, accurate, and actionable. We guarantee:
- 85% accuracy for email addresses.
- 95% accuracy for postal addresses.
- 90%+ accuracy for phone numbers.
Order Fulfillment
- Delivery: Your list can be securely emailed to you.
- Processing Time: Most orders are completed within 48 hours.
- Payment Options: Wire transfers, ACH, checks, money orders, and case-by-case acceptance of credit/debit cards.
For more information or to start your campaign, contact Connect Digital Ventures, Inc. today!