I was trying to save time with a list purchase but it turned out to be a "waste of time"!

Yes, this statement is true when you have a marketing campaign launch round the corner and all you need is a targeted list that covers your target audience. You finally make a purchase with renowned list company and all you get is irrelevant contacts or industries that does not match your objectives and turns out be a waste of time and money!

With tons of campaigns launched every hour, all demand gen and marketing professionals hunt for best business list company that can offer lists that are cost effective, accurate and 100% based on their target definition or criteria. The cycle involved in a list purchase includes 3 things that are most common:

1. Identifying a list company that understands your marketing objective
2. The list company offers best in the industry cost and delivery turn around
3. List is purchased and the campaign is finally all set to launch

The #4 step is what you discover later! 

4. The list was not based on their target criteria and is finally turning out to be a sheer waste of money and hence, time. So originally when a list should have cost only few thousand dollars, it costs you all a fortune and most importantly your campaign gets delayed!

What is the solution?

The solution is simple yet tricky! You need to follow simple due-diligence and opt for the companies that have a proven track record in providing what you want! There are 3 simple steps you can follow to be sure of getting a business list that is targeted, accurate and completely matches your criteria:

1. Samples can be Illusive: I know samples help a lot but Never fall for samples. If a company offers you the samples that are not based on your target audience always try to see the flip-side of the coin. Ask yourself whether the company was able to understand your specific requirements while providing you with the samples. If the samples are not provided correctly at the very first instance and all you hear is excuses, you are in the wrong hands dear! Strike out that company from your list and search for a good and reliable option.

2.     You get what you pay for: When many list vendors/brokers offering cheap lists you are sure to hurt your pocket and campaign with irrelevant records. I come across several posts on LinkedIn where people report many list brokers and companies who never show up after the payment. Here is a golden rule to be safe. Always look for data companies that require no/minimum upfront payments. There are many companies that offer you database with minimum or NO UPFRONT PAYMENTS. If you are successful in finding one, trust me you are safe!

3.     Read The Fine Prints: Be sure to check with your data companies about their accuracies and guarantees. Where some companies offer accuracies to only limited fields that include connectivity or emails, always ensure that you get a clear understanding of what is being included. A database that has all the fields covered is great buy and there are many list companies that will offer you guarantees on all the filters.