How to build a list, the right way.

It’s interesting that more and more people are always quoting the phrase “the money is in the list”, but few every figure out how to get the money out of the list they build.

Over the last 2 years, I’ve spoken with many new internet marketers that struggle with the concept of list building.  They aren’t sure where to start, how to start and what to do. In fact, I’ve recently asked my list how had a list, surprisingly, 80% had a list of 500 or less subscribers?

Is that bad? Well, yes and no. It’s not bad if that is a list of 500 buyers, or even 100 buyers. It’s not bad if you’re providing that list with create content, providing value and able to monetize that list.

I’ve found that at one point I fell in to the same trap. Instead of continually provide good, helpful content on a regular basis, I slipped into a “pitch mode”. Why? Because I was told that the money was in the list and I had to sell to them continuously. I can now tell you from personal experience, this doesn’t work.

When you’re building your list, you have to do a few things first. Obviously, you need to have something worthwhile to attract the person. So, you give away something cool, helpful and good.

Here’s where most people make their first mistake. They give away crap. Nothing good. Nothing real helpful. They are basically keeping the good stuff back to “sell” to them later. You should be doing just the opposite. Give something really helpful away. Maybe not your biggest trick, but one of the better ones… Keep them engaged.

Next, you need to give them some more cool stuff. List building is about relationship building. Engaging the subscriber and getting them to understand who you are and trust you. People are not going to trust people that are in their face with their hands out, looking for cash. It just doesn’t work that way.

After you’ve been helpful, given some cool stuff to them, then…and only then… will you begin to build some trust. Give them something cool,and helpful, they are likely to buy something you recommend.

Sometimes it just takes one of those Ah-Ha moments to snap back into reality and see what’s going on around you.

I’ve recently remembered exactly why I got into online marketing and why I’ve created sites that help other marketers… it was about giving back and teaching others.

This past weekend I popped in a DVD from one of the first products I ever purchased, Frank Kern’s Mass Control. I watched the Core Influence video, which is one that changed my thinking at the time…and changed it once again this past weekend. This stuff is just pure good, helpful stuff.

Frank’s getting ready to release a new product, List Control, and I’ll likely get my hands on that just because I’m sure there will be some great new information in the product. And of-course, Frank is going to be giving away some great stuff as well.

If you’re thinking about ways to build your list, then start with thinking about what you can give away that’s truly worthwhile and helpful to the subscriber. Mass Control taught about money magnets, the little things you give away that will bring the money back to you. This stuff works.

As I learn more about List Control I’ll post something about here and I’ll likely put together a cool bonus for it as well.

Let me know what you think…