How To "I" Spy
By: DTMF

Business intelligence can be a powerful tool in growing your business,
I myself have used some of the techniques we are going to discuss in
this article when I ran a successful mail order business a couple of years ago.

1. Keep close tabs.
Knowing your competitors prices and policies can help shape your decisions. You can decide "Am I too expensive? Is my competitor undercutting me?"

2. Compile A Competitor Profile.
Intellifact and Hoovers Online can be invaluable in discovering financial reports and the like. 

3. Keep up with trends.
Market trends are POWERFUL. If you see the "tide receding" it isn't a good time to "go surfing."  You can also see price shifts and adjust if you are savvy.

4. Market yourself direct.
Customers aren't always going to come to you, let them know you are there.
Companies such as Zapdata can be helpful with getting a hold of lists.

5. Don't Spam.
Spamming will quickly mark your business as a joke. It isn't a good idea.
Only send emails to those who are actually interested or who have requested
something.

6. Be Quick Or Be Dead.
Those who take too long to answer emails, will quickly find their replies
will be "oh - I already went with company X"