Direct mail campaigns WORK. The problem is that you need to have some money to start out with. As real estate investors, especially getting started this is usually the problem. But when you have some money saved up direct mail can get people to call you! Post cards are generally better than envelopes, but if you use envelopes you should hand write everything. The idea is to have the mail opened by making the envelope look like a personal letter coming from a relative or a friend.

Now where do you get these leads? Well, from a number of sources (which can also generate general leads ). You can get leads from the courthouse, local paper, list service providers, MLS, probate court, there are tons of ways to get leads that would be great candidates for a direct mail campaign.

You can use a shotgun approach and simply mailing to targeted neighborhoods using rented lists. Or you can use a rifle approach to only those sellers who are known to have a house for sale or who may have due to known circumstances. Both methods will work but obviously the rifle approach will be more cost effective.

In order to use the rifle approach, you must first compile a list of prospects to mail to. This should be an ongoing process not a one time hit. As you're setting up your system to implement for the first time, look at it like a business and build the foundation for continuous use. A successful marketer will never stop sending mailing. The copy and list may change but the system should never shut down.