Waterfalling is one of the most effective ways to find specific data needed for larger-volume placements or purchases, while minimizing costs and increasing accuracy. By starting your research with basic, most cost-efficient batches and progressively increasing queries, you ensure you’re getting the data you need at the best price point.

Waterfalling can have many pitfalls if not done correctly. Inadvertently reprocessing data within your waterfall can be costly and waste time. Be sure to keep these tips in mind as your teams waterfall data:

Scrub your data first.

Remove duplicates, incompletes and blatantly incorrect data first. There’s no use running searches on faulty data. Be sure to do a thorough scrub before starting your waterfall.

Batch the bulk.

By uploading a CSV file to your data provider with your debtors’ names, known addresses and/or historical phone numbers, you can run a batch append. In as little as one hour* of the upload, you will receive a customized listing of additional right-party contact (RPC) information, enabling you to start making contact instantly.

Once you’ve processed the first batch, repeat the process with your no-hit records through a higher-tiered data provider until you’ve exhausted all the no-hits.

Multi-task.

Some data providers allow you the option to run multiple providers in one interface, for both batch and individual searches. For example, start by running the lowest-cost persons search, then if you need more data, run the query in the next level data source within the platform.

*Standard returns are one hour. Times may vary based on provider.