Having a “list” with a fantastic series of autoresponders and broadcasts that you
update regularly is great, but if there’s no one on your list, you’re not going to be
making many sales. You need to build your list – and list-building is a specialty in
and of itself.

Ultimately email marketing is a way to market your product or service through
email. You can build your email list in a number of ways.

Here are just a few:

  • Opt-In Forms – The most common way to build a list is by placing an opt-in form on a website or sales page and having people fill it out. Whenever someone visits your blog or website, there should be a clear place for them to subscribe to receive more information from you. To get visitors to fill out the form you many need to off a free report or a coupon.
  • Customer Lists – Many shopping carts, such as eJunkie and 1ShoppingCart, have automatic processes for adding purchasers to your email contact list. This is something you’ll definitely want to integrate, because customers are already a step above mere “prospects.” By buying something from you – even a purchase of $10 or less – they’ve proven that they want what you’re offering, they know how to purchase on the internet and are comfortable doing so, and they have money to spend.
  • Forwards – At the bottom of every email you send, Aweber has an option for others to subscribe. You can add a PS or signature line that says, “Did you like this email? Forward it to a friend!” Then when that friend receives your email from someone they know and trust, they can directly subscribe to your list by clicking on the enclosed link. Just another reason to love Aweber!
  • Buying Lists – It is possible to buy email lists from others. Even though this sounds like a great shortcut, I recommend against this practice, particularly when you’re just starting out. Many times, lists are extremely expensive, the names and contact information are outdated, the people aren’t targeted to what you’re offering, and they may see contact from you as spam. You’re much better off doing things with a little elbow grease and creating your own list from scratch of people who know, like, and trust you.

Getting people on your email list may seem difficult in the beginning. There
are strategies for making it more compelling for people to give you their email
address, such as by providing an opt-in bonus of some sort. We’ll talk more
about getting targeted and interested subscribers further in this report. For
now it’s important that you understand you need to offer high value to potential
subscribers.

Next time we’ll talk about why building an email list might be one of the smartest investments of your time.