Directories are a valuable resource for creating targeted lead lists. Depending on your niche, you can use simple Google searches to find an ideal list of companies, followed by free scraping tools to extract leads from these directories.
Directory leads are typically high intent since there is a pre-vetting process to qualify leads before they are included in a directory or list.
For instance, when browsing through YCombinator’s directory, you can filter out recently funded startups and use this information to personalize your outreach and qualify leads based on their growth potential, thus tailoring your offer accordingly.
The advantage of niche lead lists is that they are an untapped gold mine as long as they remain niche. Once these lead lists become mainstream, everyone will target the same list with offers, making it harder for you to stand out.
Here are some directories you can sign up for and scrape:
YCombinator List
List of all companies ever funded by YC, drill down by batch, industry.
List of all B2B services companies e.g advertising, web development, SEO
List of people who have written reviews about your competitors
Directory of recently launched businesses
Most popular “event” driven database using funding signals, news mentions and recent hires as datapoints for example