If you’re going to be successful in internet marketing, you need to build a list. This is the most important factor in your long-term success. After it’s built, it’s yours to use any time you want. It’s like a renewable resource that allows you to make money on demand.

Now you now why. Here’s how:

Here are the three components of list building:

  • Your Opt-in Page
  • Your Bribe
  • Your Confirmation Page

The Squeeze Page - The landing page is the page that has your opt-in form on it. This is where they will enter their email address. That’s why it needs to look like a professionally designed page. And it needs to be simple to see how to opt in. And have a clear call to action.

If you fail to make a strong close, you’re wasting your efforts. This “close” tells your visitors what you want them to do. Without this your opt-in rate will plummet. The funny thing is that people just don’t know what to do unless you tell them.

You can take your opt-in page to the next level if you add a compelling video to the page. This will grab your visitors attention and keep it. And you can repeat the call to action several times int he video. And you can have the video just tell them to fill in your form after it’s done playing.

If you don’t know how to make video, don’t worry. You can hire freelancers to do this for you for a few hundred dollars. Or you can get email list tools that include video squeeze pages.

The Bribe - The next thing you need is an incentive to subscribe to your list. You have to give people a compelling reason to give your their email. Most people are very protective of their email address. So you have to give them a good reason to do it.

The only way to make this work is to provide real value. That means you make it something people would actually want to receive. And can benefit from. Here’s some examples:

  • A free report
  • A piece of software
  • Videos
  • An email training series

Basically, you just need some content. It’s got to be something helpful for your new subscribers. And nothing sells like “free”. But to get the email, it’s got to be a good offer.

Once again, don’t worry if you don’t know how to create the freebie. You can just pay someone else to make it for you. Just give them a topic and they will write the content. A 5-part email series is a good freebie. You can have ghost writers create emails for under $25 an email. So, a great premium will cost you around $100 - $150.

There are also list building products that include the follow up email series. Two critical aspects of using a follow up series. First, it must provide value to your subscribers. And second, it needs to make you money. The easiest way to do this is to market affiliate products in the emails. This is such a simple solution because you don’t have to create the product. And it enables you to generate cash right away from your new list.

The Thank You Page - The last bit is the thank you page. This is the page your subscriber sees after they opt in. It’s nice to give them some great content right away. That way, they feel glad that they gave you their email address. It also helps to build the relationship. So when they get your email, they’re happy to hear from you.

This is another case where you can get a complete marketing package. Or you can go the DIY route. And do your own writing for this content. Or pay a freelancer to write the content for you.

Summary

It makes no difference whether you build your opt-in, bribe and thank you page. Or if you hire people to do this for you. Or if you get a ready-done package. The key is to start building your list. Once you’ve got it built. You’re free to make money at the push of a button.

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