There are a lot of tools and techniques for building a list that you should know and some you may want to use. The autoresponder software is one method that is dubious at best, since it is all too easy to become labeled as a spammer when this is used and your IP may end up banned from large numbers of servers and mailboxes. If you do decide to include using automated responses, a professional service may be the best way.



Many people go on a list by filling out a form on your website asking to be on the list. You attract them with the offer of something for free like a report, a recipe, an ebook, etc. A newsletter is one of the best ways because it keeps reminding the potential customer or existing buyer of your website and the links in the newsletter will keep them coming back. Be sure the newsletter has more content than just promotion ads, though.

Great site content will also encourage people to add themselves to your list. As for newsletter offers, place a sign up form in a prominent place for people to enter e-mail addresses and sometimes other information for the mailing list. You can also sometimes have forms to sign up for affiliate mailing lists in the same area.

If you write articles of interest, this draws traffic to your site through the careful use of keywords and really valuable content. Don't make the mistake of only having lots of good-paying keywords in a bunch of filler and poor writing. You want prospects to stay and to buy, not just to come once from search and leave quickly. People who respect and enjoy what they read are more likely to sign up for your list.

Sometimes, you can add perks or gifts for those who refer their friends to your list. Emails to these people should have a personal message from the person who suggested them and a clear way to opt outopt-out of other mailings. These may irritate some recipients who can consider them spam, so care in such "feeler" email is important. Self-listing is always safest.

Another pathway to build your list is to set up a discussion forum as part of your website. People enjoy interaction and will give an email address to join a free discussion website if it interests them. This can be rewarding in building a great list and in getting a lot of traffic, but you must monitor a discussion board to avoid illegal use or those who only want to be disruptive. Violations left unedited on a forum can cost you your website and your reputation, so use care.