Thursday, July 31, 2008

Your Secret Weapon to Building Internet Wealth - An Opt-in List

By Simon Whincop


Does this scenario sound familiar to you?

Having endlessly sought expert advice, read countless articles and listened to numerous stories about people who've built unimaginable wealth on the Internet using their vast opt-in lists, you finally decide it's time to have one of your own. Now under the illusion you know everything, you follow all the advice to the Tee. And you fail to make even a single penny.

In fact, you're losing money. Fast. Being rather lazy, you hired writers to help out with your articles, and when that didn't work your month's budget on a doomed Pay-Per-Click campaign. Perhaps your list even got quite big. But only a tiny percentage actually converts to sales.

Either way, you've failed to make any profit, and after a few months' daily scrutiny of your statistics and sales figures, you come to the conclusion that your dreams of Internet wealthbuilding lie in ruins.

You wonder what wrong. Why have others succeeded where you have failed? Perhaps you were too hasty, diving straight in like that. Maybe the product is rubbish, after all. Or maybe it's you - you're just not cut out for this...

Have similar thoughts ever crossed your mind?

Before you get any more disheartened, remember that just because you emailed people on your list does not mean they'll buy instantly. Or, put it another way, HAVE PATIENCE!

And, if you've already started an opt-in list and think you failed, I strongly urge you to follow the following advice, too. Same thing applies if you're just starting out. The advice comes in the form of three quick and easy steps:

1) Make sure your product or service is one that people really need.

And learn all about your product. Many people forget this vital element of their affiliate business. Do they really think their subscribers are going to buy something they haven't bothered to learn about themselves? Not very likely. Your knowledge and belief about your product, or lack of it, is transferred onto your customers. Time spent researching your product thoroughly is time spent wisely.

2) Join lots of forums. There your expert advice and recommendations will build you an aura of trust . You can build a base around other forum users, inviting them to join your opt-in list. They will become your friends, and friends make good customers. Remember to place a link to your site on your posts - it will enable them to see what your business is all about. If you mean what you say, they'll begin to believe in you and your products. You can increase your credibility further as well as building more potential subscribers and customers by writing and submitting articles and posting blogs .

3) Find a mentor. Make friends with other opt-in list users (forums are an invaluable tool here, too). If you can find someone who has already launched a successful opt-in list, they will be able to tell you what to do and what not to do, because they have gone through it themselves. There are many pitfalls and mistakes to avoid - these people will be able to point them out to you. Experience is the best teacher, and there is nothing like getting it first hand. Learn from the mistakes of others!

Building a profitable opt-in list takes great preparation and effort. It won't happen overnight! Opt-in lists have to be built from scratch and, once built, take some maintenance. Remember to keep it organized and manageable. But use it to Keep your subscribers happy and they'll be willing to buy from you time and time again. Building your list, is the way to build Internet wealth!

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