marketing postcards - address to whom? (shannon? anyone?)

Hi, I ordered my marketing postcards and got them in and they are nice (GotPrint.com)! Now, I am trying to figure out to whom to send them too. I think I will only do $100 postage (or so) at a time, for cost reasons. I don't mind hand-addressing, if I have too. I have never done this before, so I do not know how to find the proper addresses. What would you suggest? Find the biggest companies in town, addressing any potential company picnics, for sure. Any ideas on how to find the largest companies in the area? Also, summer camps (though around here they rarely have $$$, I believe). And large churches (for VBS).

This is my first time and I am looking for any direction you can give me. It just seems so very DAUNTING right now, because the opportunities are endless, there is just TOO much information on the net, and I really would like to focus my dollars on where the potential payoff might be. So I would be so grateful for any advice from you been-there-done-that folks

Thank you kindly!
Barbie

So I live in the DC area, therefore, Arlington County Library has, in their great wisdom, decided to have a business library resource area. What does that mean? well it means i can find businesses by zip, industry, income, etc... PLUS their public info like contact names, addresses, etc... I highly suggest visiting your regional library

I typed in google search "Day cares" in towns around my area and mailed them there. Also The Little Gyms around you. It's a start.

So... I hand address them all.

Generally, I will make a list of specific businesses or organizations to mail to each time (I usually do a mailing quarterly) and keep track of responses on the list.

I go through the yellow pages, local volunteer bureau directory, local chamber of commerce directory, keep track of local festivals and contact people, local government, arenas, recreation complexes, daycares, tattoo parlours, salons, arts organizations, stores, malls, etc....

I pick one specific type of group to target each mailing. So one time I would concentrate on restaurants, night clubs and sports organizations... the next time public festivals, rodeos, etc. ... the next time large company social clubs, etc.

I have brief messages I write on the card, and hand address.

I keep the number I mail out at any one time under 50... keeps the postage reasonable.

I go into a LOT more detail on how I do this in my ebook "The Business of Face Painting"

Ladies thank you! Shannon, your post really really helped to clear my thinking. I am definitely going to do it in little chunks too. And target *specific* company types, and keep track of responses by type of company.

Thank you for helping me to focus ladies!!!!
Barbie

ps: has anybody else done this? Happy with the results?

I've been thinking of contacting all the local municipalities around here - the different township offices for the various little local towns around where I live, but was thinking that a brochure would have a better impression on them, than a postcard?

What do you think?

Have you tried brochures before Barbie? I've not tried either yet.

Best of luck!

Know you market and the areas you wish to work. I only market/advertise to places and in locales I wish to work in. No point in doing mass mailings to places I have no interest in going.

I sent mine to libraries, bowling alleys, restaurants, the zoo, bounce house places, pediatric dentist offices and doctor offices, large businesses, etc.
Any place that has a kids-eat-free night is a good option. But you should hand deliver those to the manager, if possible.

I did face painting for a summer camp expo & got all the addresses of all the camps represented. I then mailed a postcard to each one. Not only did they get to see me in action, but then got my mailing. I've had great response & my Fridays(the target day I was looking to fill) are filling up fast. I've also gotten quite a few birthday parties on Saturdays & Sundays as well as a few events from people who work for the daycare & saw the postcard.
I've also targeted restaurants, but not had as great a response.