Guest Editorial
You’re scratching your head and wondering what the term “Seasonal Data” refers to. I define it as the type of data that is valid only during certain times of the year due to the infrequency of updates, or because the data is derived from the type of event that happens just once a year. Because the data is developed as the result of a recent event, it can yield great results, but you need to know when to use the data (when it’s fresh) in order to avoid wasting time and resources.
We are within range of a major scheduled calendar event: Think of a certain upcoming special Tuesday in November, and the freshly updated publicly-available records that are compiled as a result of voter registrations. The U.S. Census Bureau reported that voter turnout increased by 5 Million in the 2008 Presidential election, and the 2012 election promises to generate more activity as the two camps do battle over control of our country’s future.
While newscasters and pundits from every corner of the political spectrum are brewing up a level of excitement that could only be tolerated once every four years, we should be considering the excitement that can be experienced by the ensuing influx of “Seasonal Data”. With the millions of dollars spent on robo-calls, get-out-the-vote programs and all of the volunteers working for their respective candidates, there is a very large boom in updates made to the voter registration rolls, bringing new voters of all ages, races and religions into the mix.
Many of the pay data sites have added this data set to their reports, but one of my favorite free web sites for this type of data has always been www.publicrecordcenter.com. Users have the ability to sort by state, locating voter records by using a name and date of birth. You will be quite impressed by the information that can be gleaned from this type of search during the election season and beyond.
As always with skip-tracing, I apply the laws of human nature. No matter the events that are occurring in life, good or bad, life’s traditions and special observances must continue. The same rule of nature applies to our skips. So place yourself in the shoes of your subject and realize that, just like you, your skip may also be registering and casting a vote during this pivotal election season.
Now with that in mind, always remember that humans prefer convenience. It is why we will go to a local convenience store and pay three times as much for a can of soda than the large grocery store would charge, in order to get in and out quickly. The same theory applies to why statistically we all use the same two ATM machines or shop at the same two crockery stores; because they both happen to be within a square mile radius of our home or work. Where a voter casts his ballot will follow the same human tendency towards convenience. We choose the location for easy, quick access so we can get back to work or home with as little time expended as possible.
Until Next time… Follow me on the path to better skip-tracing
Alex Price
Master Hunter
Alex Price is a nationally-recognized expert on the Art of Skip Tracing and author of Skip Tracers National Certification Program with over 25+ years of experience in skip-tracing, collections and public speaking. Alex began his career with Barnett Bank as a field representative collecting past-due accounts. He then moved to World Omni Finance, where over the next ten years he worked in all aspects of collections and handling the nationwide charge-off skip portfolio.
Contact Info: alex.price@masterfiles.com , Office: (972) 735-2353, Fax: (972) 735-2354
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