Working Backwards For Better List Success

This is for those of you who are new to list building or still thinking about starting but you haven't pulled the trigger yet.......

There are three distinct parts of successful list ownership:

1. List Building
2. List Relationship Development
3. List Monetization

And that's the progression for us as list owners, right? We build by adding more subscribers, then we develop the trust relationships, then we monetize. So we tend to think in that kind of order.

But, you need to take action in reverse order!

1. List Monetization (figure this out first so you have all your money ducks in a row!)
2. List Relationship Development (have this worked out before adding subscribers!)
3. List Building

Trust me, if you have at least the first couple of ways to monetize your list figured out and in place before you start adding subscribers, things will go much more smoothly. This means, create at least a couple of info products or work out which services you want to offer before you add list members. Of course, you can use things like CB products, CPA offers, or good old affiliate products. You don't have to create your own stuff (although I think that's much better in the long run).

Next, get your autoresponder set up with at least the first few weeks of follow-ups already in place. Others will recommend different intervals, but I like sending a follow-up every 3 days or so. At first, send your new list members really good and useful free information that's closely related to whatever you used to get them on your list in the first place. This is SO important! Keep things very tightly focused and you'll have the most success. Don't ask for money right away or you risk lots of quick unsubscribers.

Finally, once you have this all in place, THEN focus on driving traffic to your squeeze page. You want a smooth running machine in place so new subscribers are treated to a good experience. The last thing you want is confusion. Things like sending 3 emails in one day because you're all out of whack will wreck your chances of success.

I know we all want things to be easy, and this is not the easiest way to go about it. I understand! I've been there too! This requires you to do a lot of work up front. But TRUST ME - it will pay you back many times over if you get everything set up BEFORE you rush out to start adding subscribers.

Your list will become your most important business asset. Think of it as the regular customers in your store. That's what those people are! They're your "regulars" - but only if you treat them well.

John