How do we identify offline companies that utilize copywriters for
obtaining promotional materials, direct mail letters, etc.?

How can we know beforehand that they realize the value of a good copywriter and the services he provides...without having to impress upon them the need of using good copy?

What is the procedure involved after a few companies have been shortlisted?

1. SRDS.

2. The fact that they are in the SRDS.

3. Mail them an "I'm available" letter with your strongest samples.

Kyle, please excuse me for being ignorant but what exactly is the SRDS?

Secondly, can we contact these companies even if we don't reside in the country where they are located?

Standard Rate And Data Service = Mailing Lists

A nice intro to the whats and whys is from The Gary Halbert Letter.

Some Advice: If you don't know basic terms like SRDS, Bingos, List Broker, Tear Sheets, Fulfillment house, ...etc ...etc And if you've never put five or ten thousand pieces in the mail, or "tested" a fulfillment company or lined up a fantastic list broker or evaluated a mailing list for quality, then don't contact the companies in SRDS.

In other words, these guys do know their stuff, and they expect more from copywriters than a cheesy line about the power of good copy. You're going to have to show some really savvy techniques, in any medium from physical mailings of response cards to email.

Many of the copywriters these companies use have a quarter million of their pieces in the mail -- with all the costs and investment associated with physical mailings -- running in a single month. Of course that may not be from one client. Still, "knowing the power of copy" is a double-edged sword.

I'm not talking about just writing copy, either. Like how to buy ad space cheaper than their internal people. Or how to double the response of reply card mailings to beat a "control" they used for three years.

But yes, you can send a letter or message to any company ....getting it read, not so much.

That's simple, don't waste their time and get past the gatekeepers.

For example, a group of inventors had an idea they wanted to get to a giant manufacturer. They felt sure their idea was a hit, but couldn't get past the receptionist. Your letter may have to get through two or three levels of people who filter mail to a decision maker.

So I came up with a little something. One package, which had to get through the gate keepers, and not get stopped. Further, I had to get a call through to the CEO with no roadblocks.

I call the receptionist, and with a mention of the package I sent, was immediately put through to the CEO. And no, it wasn't the product or anything about the product.

...And the CEO did take my call, knowing my name and that I sent the package. And about 70% of CEOs or other 'unreachable' VIPs I subsequently send a similar (custom) package to take my call, with no prior relationship.

What's the secret? I do my homework into the problem they want solved, not what I have to sell. I don't waste their time.

• Companies who know the power of copy Have Copywriters on call
  
• Companies have all the "big ideas" they can manage -- yet another idea is not a 'solution' ...it's a big fat problem (read The Innovator's Dilemma or Why Verizon turned down the iPhone)
  
• Companies don't trust generic one-size-fits-all spam mail ...and their executives detest messages reeking of self-interest

In other words, if you have to ask this question, you shouldn't be contacting these companies.

John's advice is spot on, the SRDS is where you'll find them but you're probably not ready for them.

I think you'll have a much easier time convincing an online guy to run your copy. They can run it essentially for free whereas an offline campaign will cost thousands.

Kyle, I know SRDS is not for me right now.

But my original question was - How do I easily identify local companies...that may take copywriters' help to improve their businesses?

Your original question was "How do we identify offline companies that utilize copywriters". Utilize = use already.

I assume by local you mean local small businesses?

If so you will find very few local companies that utilize copywriters, though they could all benefit from our help. It's a bit of an uphill battle, they don't understand DR so you have to be very good at selling it to them.

An easy way to get started is collect all the flyers that arrive in your mail box and call on them offering to double their response (or whatever is reasonable.) They won't pay much but you'll score a testimonial and some experience to get you started.