I’ve been online since 1996 now, and during MOST of that
time, I’ve been steadily working at growing my database…
my list of subscribers.
Consequently, I have a substantial database that spans
numerous niches and sub-niches.
For practically every product that I sell, ever website
that I build, and every free or MP3 that I give away, I
incorporate list-building into the process somehow. It’s
NOT always with the use of a forced opt-in (a squeeze page).
I sometimes give a direct download link and then in the
product or on the download page, ask them to join my list.
In those instances, I’m delivering value and proving that
it’s worth being on my list BEFORE asking them to join it.
I was taught, very early in my online career, that you
should have an opt-in form on practically every page of
your website. So, I do that, except on pages where the
opt-in form would pull webpage visitors away from another
objective that the page is set up to accomplish.
You should be doing the same.
I publish regular newsletters, or have autoresponder
sequences set up in many niches. It’s pointless to build
a list (or database) if you are not going to communicate
with them regularly. It’s just wasting disk space and
resources.
If you contact your list infrequently, they forget about
you, and file spam complaints on those rare occasions
when you DO email them… since they often honestly don’t
remember how they got on your list.
I hear too many people who have been online a year or
more, in comparing themselves to me, say that my big
advantage is that I have a list. My response to that is
“So when are you going to start building yours?”
Some people aren’t as prolific or as comfortable writing
as I am. My answer is that as you do it more, you grow
into feeling comfortable with it. I still make many
mistakes, but as long as my message is reaching (and
benefiting) my intended audience that’s all that REALLY
matters.
If you really don’t feel up to putting together your own
ezine, grab this collection of 24 pre-written ezine
issues: http://timic.org/YourOwnEzine
Set them up to go our once every two weeks. That covers
you for a year in delivering solid content to your
subscribers.
On the weeks in-between issues, send out a solo mailing
promoting a product that you REALLY, REALLY believe in,
and that you know will REALLY, REALLY help your customers.
If you need help finding new products, join the IAJVB.
You’ll find a database of new product launches (and
relaunches) there. Take the free silver membership if
you are just an affiliate marketer, and don’t have your
own products that you want to list in the database.
Get the free IAJVB membership at http://IAJVB.ORG
Publishing your ezine can then be as simple as having
an issue pre-scheduled to go out every other week. On
the other weeks, you can send out one of the
cut-and-paste emails provided by one of the affiliate
programs that you found at: http://IAJVB.ORG
One of my most effective, and simplest list-building
techniques is to offer free MP3′s or PDF’s of
interviews that I’ve record, posting to places like
Twitter (or posting to dozens of sites using Sokule
http://timic.org/Sokule ).
An even better technique for building a list and traffic
is to set up a simple affiliate program selling an
inexpensive product, paying 100% instant commission,
and having OTHERS send you tons of traffic and new
subscribers. That’s how I literally get THOUSANDS of
new subscribers some months 
I’ll write about that in my next blog post. For
now do two things:
1) Join IAJVB, taking the free Silver Membership
at http://IAJVB.ORG
2) Get the PLR ezine, with 24 pre-written issues,
edit them slightly, and get them online… and
building a list (and building your relationship
with that list). Get those at:
http://timic.org/YourOwnEzine
Ok, so we just took care of that excuse. We’ll
tackle another one in my next blog post!
Willie
Tags: building a list on Twitter, how to build a list, How to Write An Ezine, List Building, List-Building Secrets, list-building tips, PLR Ezines, Pre-written Ezines, Setting Up An Affiliate Program, Sokule, Writing An Ezine