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Stop me if you’ve heard this one before…

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 leaking money, fast. A bit here whan you hired writers to help out with your articles, a bit there on advertising, and an even larger chunk on the latest can’t-possibly-fail traffic generating scam. Perhaps your list even got quite big. But only a tiny percentage actually converts to sales.

Which ever way you look at it, you’ve failed to make a profit, and after a few months of desperately peering at your statistics and sales figures, you come to the conclusion that your dreams of Internet wealthbuilding are over.

So what could have gone wrong? Why have others succeeded where you have failed? Perhaps I was too hasty, diving straight in like that, you tell yourself. Or maybe I chose a product I thought would do well, but as it turns out, I was wrong. I failed.

Sound familiar?

Take heart, however - just because you emailed people on your list does not mean they’ll buy instantly. Patience is the key!

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 want.

And know your product inside out. Too many people don’t bother to do this. And you can’t really expect your subscribers to buy something you haven’t bothered to research or learn about thoroughly, can you now? Your knowledge and belief, remember, is carried forward to your customers. If you appear unknowledgeable that will carry forward too. Take some time and effort to research your product thoroughly.

2) Join forums. Providing expert advice and recommendations will build an aura of trust around you. You could then build a base around other forum users, inviting them to join your opt-in list. Friends make good customers. Placing a link to your site on your forum posts will enable them to see what your business is all about. They’ll begin to believe in you and your products. Writing and submitting articles and posting blogs will further increase your credibility as well as building more potential subscribers and customers.

3) Make friends with other opt-in list users (forums are an invaluable tool here, too). Let them mentor you - someone who has already launched a successful opt-in list will be able to tell you what to do and what not to do, They can steer you clear of potential pitfalls and mistakes to avoid, because they have gone through it themselves. Experience is the best teacher, and there is nothing better than learning from the mistakes of others!

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

Last 5 posts by Simon Whincop

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Tags: Internet Marketing