Tips for Building Your List For a Successful Business

As the saying goes, "The money is in the list." This is true in virtually all types of businesses, whether it is a brick and mortar retail shop, online network marketing company, or anything in between.

What is a list? It is simply a database of names and basic contact information of people who share a common interest in your chosen topic, service, or product.

Creating a lead capture page is essential when building a list or online ventures. This page can be about virtually anything but there are some necessary ground rules for creating one that effectively helps build your business.

First-Keep it simple. Limit your lead capture page to just one page and keep all the really important information within the screen that viewers see WITHOUT having to scroll down. Allow viewers to easily opt-in.

Second-Secure a domain name that is catchy, relevant and easy to remember and point it to your lead capture page. Most people like to buy their domain names at GoDaddy.com, although there are several sites where you can buy after market, i.e. expired, domain names, including NameJet.com, Sedo.com and snapnames.com. Whatever domain name you choose, try to get one ending in.com.

Third-Allow for your page to be easily replicated. For others to follow your lead, you must make it as easy as possible for them to follow your footsteps toward success.

Fourth-Do not give too much information away. Sometimes in the attempt to give full disclosure, entrepreneurs tell prospects more than is necessary at that stage in the game. Too much information may not benefit the prospect early on because they don't yet comprehend how it works and may become overloaded.

Fifth-Link your page to an auto responder. This helps keep you in contact with your prospects even if you are sleeping, on vacation, or otherwise away from your business.

Sixth-Personalize your page with photos, audio recordings and/or video. This improves your conversion rate into viable prospects. People buy from people with whom they feel a connection. They more they know about you, the more comfortable they will be when it's time to do business with you.

Seventh-Offer a valuable freebie to people who opt in. This could be just about anything, including entering for a free drawin or a free gift. If you don't have something like this to offer, a great place to find a product is through ClickBank.
Service your list effectively

As already discussed, people buy from people, so let them get to know who you are. Be honest and candid. The more they know about you, the more they are likely to find a commonality with which to build rapport. Don't embellish. Find and use your own voice. Use tools like videos, pictures and audio recordings so readers feel they know who you are. And always talk as if you are speaking directly to that individual.

Offer value to the reader by giving them your perspective, news, updates, etc. I would not suggest you bombard readers with sales pitches on the latest and greatest opportunities out there. Rather, only promote the products or services you would personally use.

The more contact you have, the better. Keep yourself at the forefront. That said, don't bombard your readers and cause fatigue. What this means is different for different people, but I know from my own personal experience I do NOT like getting emails from the same person more than once a day. Some experts recommend contacting your list only once or twice per month. However, use your own discretion here.

Once you have your systems in place, it is time to begin marketing your lead capture page, blog or other sites. This must be done by building an online presence, whether through social networking, blogging, self branding, surfing for traffic, placing free ads, or other traffic generating activities.
Consistency is essential. Try to learn one new skill each week and implement it. By taking baby steps and doing a little bit every day, you will begin to build your list and your online business.