What is the best source for local B2B lead lists?

In my opinion and according to my experience, if you are looking for B2B leads, you shouldn’t purchase ready-made lists.

Let me explain why:

• It doesn’t matter if they have bright promises, they will never be up-to-date:

This means that, if you purchase them, you will basically pay for old data and you will lower the chances of getting in touch with your potential customers. Why? You might end up contacting people who previously worked in the selected company but that are no longer employed there, you might send the email to an old domain etc.

• It doesn’t matter if they say they will help you find new potential clients, they definitely won’t:

Why? These lists are thought to fit the customer profile of companies working in the same industry and they are based on wide selection criteria. They are not tailored on your specific target and on your needs. Consequently, if you use them, you will get only partially in touch with people who might be interested in your solution.

• If you use them, you might have technical problems:

Indeed, ISPs set traps inside inactive email addresses contained in such lists. If you send an email to one of these addresses, ISP’s could spot you and they could eventually block your domain. Plus, if you send hundreds of emails to the contacts you found on an email list, you will get many SPAM reports. That is, your domain will get blacklisted and you sender score will get lowered.

If you are really looking for B2B leads, you need:

• To find updated information aka the contact details of the actual decision-makers inside the selected companies.
• To contact exclusively and precisely your target group, not someone that happens to fit it.
• To successfully deliver your emails without getting in trouble with ISP’s or with SPAM reports.

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So.. how to find quality contacts safely, then?

1. You can do it manually using one of the many self-prospecting tools available online. → cheaper but time intensive.
   
   Here a few examples:
   - Connectifier, SellHack, and EmailHunter to extract data from SM
   - Chrome extensions like Email extractor to obtain contact info from web sources
   - Plug-ins like PlugMatter to find info about users visiting your website
2. Or you can contact a lead generation company. → more expensive but faster and reliable.
   
   One of them is Email Data Supply, the company I founded. 
   
   What do we do for our clients?
   Firstly, we help them define their ideal customer profile, then, thanks to an advanced and lively-updated database, our team can drive a target-focused research and find the prospects' emails you need for your business. Besides, we offer a full lead generation service and a strategic and operational marketing/sales support.