To coincide with the latest series of The Apprentice, a recent survey has shown that marketing is one of the least likely professions to be interested in appearing on the hit TV show.

Sometimes customers tell us they’ve been offered a one off database of businesses or consumers at a ridiculously low price, and ask whether the list is worth it? Our advice is to only ever buy a mailing list from a reputable source as the risks of doing otherwise are simply too great.

Top tips on growing your business and getting more sales by using cost effective direct marketing techniques.

If your website collects data on enquiries and customers, then what measures do you have in place to check and maintain accuracy?

Web forms have an inbuilt potential for user error or misuse which can lead to inaccurate data in your database. Then when you come to mail your website database, you run the risk of costly gone aways or low responses due to inaccurate addresses.

A number of major brands have been using direct mail to push web traffic as part of a CRM campaign.

The latest is Nissan, which is looking to improve its reputation for service amongst existing customers. This month sees the launch of a new CRM campaign which uses direct mail and email marketing targeted to its database of customers to encourage traffic to a new website built on the theme of ‘You + Nissan care’. The mailing creative features customer testimonials, and a series of pledges around customer service.