Arandell Corporation

Gary Sierzchulski, VP, Arandell Data Services

If you answered, “yes” to any of these, you are a great candidate to ramp up your prospecting in 2010, or for most of you, to actually begin prospecting again after a year or two of not doing it. Why? Because the cost and timing to acquire a new customer could not be better.

First let’s look at the cost side of the equation.�
1. The USPS has frozen rates for 2010 and is considering offering incentives to mail more.  Even without the incentives, rates are locked for 2010 and for budgeting purposes you have a stable fixed cost. 

2. List brokers are willing to deal like never before. Co-ops are also loosening their rules and barriers to entry. Discounts and incentives that were once for only the large mailers (are there any of those left?) are now being offered to virtually all mailers. 

3. Arandell Corporation is also in a great position to provide you with the most innovative solutions to reduce your costs and deliver your message as efficiently as possible. Technology in the industry has never been better.

4. Your other suppliers have also been driven to invest in the tools, technologies and personnel to keep you going (as well as themselves) and will do whatever they can to earn your business (and to stay alive themselves).

The other side of the equation is timing and as they say…”timing is everything.”
1. Despite the fact that the economy is shaky, there are people out there still wanting and needing goods and services. If you have been to a mall lately, they are still very crowded. Yes, some stores are doing better than others, but isn’t that always the case and isn’t that what marketing is all about?….finding and talking to people who fit your target? There will always be winners and losers.

2. Because there are fewer competitors of all kinds out there, there are fewer catalogs and direct mail pieces being delivered. If you have a good product, demonstrate value, provide a great experience and deliver memorable customer service, you will be noticed and successful. Again, as bad as it may be out there, people are buying, people are going to stores and people are looking to feel good. What an opportunity.  

3. You also have the opportunity to capture customers, maybe for a long time. Keep the messages and your brand going. Once you stop, your “loyal” customers will likely forget about you and stop as well. The people that never heard from you have fewer messages to decipher and that is a good thing for you, so again, now is the time.

4. The amount of available data used to find the “best” prospects is also at an all-time high. Today, you can slice and dice using an infinite amount of data if you feel so inclined.

5. The methods to reach new customers are greater than ever. Every channel has potential for you in today’s environment. Do not assume that your potential customer is not using all of them in their daily lives today.

So, while it won’t be easy, the path to growing your business is a little smoother than it once was and may ever be. You don’t have to jump in with both feet but now is the time to test the water….. at least with your toes.