A reader asked me a few weeks ago about what list broker I’d recommend.

While I’m still very much a direct mail beginner, as directed by my direct response mentors I start by making sure my foundation is built on quality brokers and quality lists.

One of the brokers I have been looking at so far is infoUSA (/ infoCanada). What I like in particular about infoUSA is that you can get consumer lists for as little as $100 - which means that for the more tentative among us, we can start very small.

I came across a very explanatory article on infoUSA here - I highly recommend you read it if you are looking at mailing lists at all.

Bear in mind that infoUSA, as they mention briefly in the article, deals in compiled lists rather than response lists. That is, they take public information and compile it, confirming  some of the information.

I’m don’t think they offer any response lists at all but I’d be glad to be told I’m incorrect on that count.

Response lists that you may get from a list broker like Edith Roman for example may be more valuable as the members of that lists have raised their hand in some form or fashion.

In particular a list of buyers would be very valuable to you if you have a proven sales letter and sales process.

Nevertheless, if you are a beginner and want to shake the nerves and get a feel for the direct mail process without breaking the bank I think infoUSA is a great way to start.

Today we’re talking copywriting with Perry Marshall.

I’ve already told you about the free Perry Marshall video and encouraged you to give a listen.

Now I’m not saying that his style will definitely work for you. There’s nothing on this planet that fits every single person, but I’m guessing that if you’re hooked up with me and I like him so much and get so much value from what he has to offer, there’s a good chance that you’ll get great value from him too.

Well, here’s another chance to get some more great, down-to-earth information from the guy on the subject of writing copy. His new podcast has started out with an interview he did with Lorrie Morgan-Ferrero.

I listened to the entire interview when it was first done and as someone who writes a lot of ads - short and long, and is constantly working on honing my writing skills, I listen to it over and over again. Every time I do I get more clarity and more ideas.

He gives great tips in the interview on writing powerful Adwords ads, but also touches other stuff like using effective story-telling in salesletters, even gives his perspective on the Law of Attraction (don’t think that section is posted yet.)

Like I’ve mentioned elsewhere, I receive Perry’s hardcopy newsletter and his sales materials and I guess he really learned well from John Carlton ’cause he’s found his own voice and really gets you emotionally involved with his sales copy.

If you use Google Adwords at all, actually if you have any sort of a business at all, take a listen.