How To Build A Profitable Opt-in List

Before you can start to collect the email addresses op people, you need to have certain tools in place. You need to install an autoresponder script on your server to deliver the emails to your subscribers. Your own autoresponder script on you own server is definately the most professional way to run an autoresponder. You could also use an hosted autoresponder like GetResponse or Aweber but these will cost you a monthly fee of at least $20.

You also need to build a Squeeze Page with a signup form to collect the email addresses of your visitors. A Squeeze Page is a very simple website, it includes only:

• An eye-catching header
• An eye-catching sub-header
• About 100 words of text
• A picture of the product that you give-away for free
• The autoresponder signup form
• A disclaimer stating you will not share the email adresses with others

That's it, there should be nothing else on your Squeeze Page besides the above mentioned elements. The only goal you have with your Squeeze Page is to collect the email address of your visitors. Most people won't just simply give you their email addresses, you need to offer them something for free like an ebook or software. You will get a much higher signup rate when you offer something for free in return for your visitor's email adress.

Once your Squeeze Page is ready to go, you need to build a Thank You Page where you re-direct the visitors after they have signed up for your list. You should also have at least 10 emails in your autoresponder to follow up your prospects. You should deliver useful and free information in your first 5 emails. Once you have build some trust with your subscribers you can start to send out the first promotions that make you some cash.

Avoid Mistakes While Listbuilding

When building your own opt-in list you need to be an expert in different things. Do one thing wrong and the whole process of building your list won't work anymore. Be sure you read several e-books about list building, they will help you to avoid certain mistakes.

Get your customers to trust you first. Just launching your opt-in list would not make you an expert in your niche. Release several articles before you start an opt-in list. Write about the topic you know in forums or other places. Provide expert advices and recommendations in those forums. When you feel that people trust you already, you will be able to start your own opt-in list. Give people your advise and make sure it really helps them.

How To Make Money With Your List Opt-In List

Find a product or service that people want and need. Although it may not be your forte, if you provide a product and service that you have researched well, you can carry it on forward to your customres. Invest your time, effort and money to find good products that you could sell to your subscribers or customers.

While it is true that it is best to sell products that you are interested in, there might be not many people who have the same interest as you if you decide to sell something that is not entirely popular or profitable. Do your niche research well and you will see the profits later. Also provide your subscribers with promotional material that they could actually use and spread around, this is called viral marketing.

Learn From Other List Owners

Build Joint Ventures with other opt-in list owners. This is basically beneficial especially if it is someone who has already a huge successful opt-in list. These are people that have the experience in this venture and experience is still the best teacher.

Experienced opt-in list users will be able to tell you what to do and what not to do because they have gone through it. While different situations occur for different people, the general concept can still be very helpful. There are many things to avoid and these people will be able to tell you which ones.

Building a profitable opt-in list don’t just happens overnight. There are many things to do upfront like research and product evaluation. As your list grows, you should also maintain the quality of your list. Keep it organized and manageable. Make sure that your subscribers are happy and satisfied and they will be willing to buy from you.