Last week, we looked at your overall list building strategy to building a quality list.  So in today's article I would like to share with you five ideas around how you can do this.  This isn't an exhaustive list, but it gives you some ideas on how to get started.

Idea 1:  Develop A FREE Value Add Offer.

This could be a report, e-book, or video that provides something of value to your clients.  Once developed, you can then post this onto your various sites, using a landing page for people to subscribe to. 

Idea 2:  Article Writing.

Focusing on the area of your niche.  When written, use these articles by posting them onto your blog and social media pages.  Upload them to be published on the various f*ee article directories that are available, as well as submitting them to the print media for publication into your niche magazine.  Using your author bio to bring them back to your f*ee offer landing page.  Additionally, why not do some guest blogging by connecting with others within your niche, and offer to write an article for their blog, with a back link back to your landing page.

Idea 3: Forums.

Identify the key forums where your idea clients hang out, and add value to the conversations.  You can also use these  forums as a place of research to see what your ideal clients are looking for in ways of products and services. When you're ready to sell your new products, you can send people to the specific landing page.

Idea 4: Social Media.

Where is it that your ideal clients hang out?  Is it on Twitter, Facebook, Linkedin or YouTube, or is it all four?  Either way take time to set up an account on one of these Social Media sites or all four, and grow your list here.

Idea 5: Advertising 

There are so many different ways that you can advertise, and now a days it doesn't have to be expensive.  Set a budget for advertising, identify the best places to place your ads, and then set up a campaign that sends clients to something you have of value. 

What are some of the ideas you use to build your list?  We would love to continue this conversation, so please feel free to share them with us on our blog or Facebook page.

You've probably have heard the saying:  "the money is in the list",

well - it's true.  It is in your list.  And it's a frustration that a client brought to her mentoring call this week. She was all flustered because she keeps hearing that to do any good, you've just got to have a BIG list.

What's the point of having a list of ten or thousands if no-one is opening your emails, let alone buying from you.  Wouldn't it be better to have a smaller list, filled with clients who can't wait to open your emails and read what you have to say.  Who look forward to your latest product or service launch, and are happy to purchase from you.

No I'm not saying that you stay with a small list, you do want to continue to build it, but build it strategically. The way you can do this is by being very clear on your strategy around building your list.  If you have a clear strategy, you build quality rather than a quantity. 

Your first strategy is to be very clear on who your ideal clients are. The clearer you can be about this, the better understanding you will have around what you can share with them.  If you've worked through our e-book on 'Identifying Your Ideal Clients', you will be clear on who these people are. Take time to really understand what their concerns, challenges and dreams are.  Develop your avatar about these clients and have it somewhere you can see it regularly to remind you about them.

Your second strategy is developing a relationship with your clients through the content you provide.  When writing, make sure you are conversational. This isn't the time to become a bureaucratic writer!

A tip to remember is when writing articles or emails imagine that you are sitting across the table having a coffee with your ideal client. Have a conversation with them, use conversation tones and make it easy for them to get to know you.

For those of us who aren't natural writers, it does take time to get use to writing in this style.  I know for me it took a while to write more conversational, as having a Defence Force background my style was very militant and rigid.  Even now after many, many years I still find I'm learning from each article I write.

The final strategy is to be aware of how you position yourself.  You want your clients to see you as a leader within the marketplace.  To see you as someone who is willing to take a stand on what you believe in and inspire others. Someone who is willing to tell your story to connect with your clients.

Think about the e-newsletters you currently open and read, what makes you want to open those particular emails? My guess is that it has less to do with the instructional information, but more to do with the individual person and how you see them...

Now you've got a strategy to follow, what are some of the tactics you've used to build your list?  Please share them with us on our blog or Facebook page.

When I sent this interview out in my VIP newsletter, I titled it "She had me at HELLO" - and when I first spoke with Melanie Summer, she did!  I knew that our interview was going to be fun and real, that there would be no pretense.  I knew that Melanie would reveal to us warts and all, what she did to turn her business from a $250,000 debt into the multi-million dollars business it is today.

Here's the interview:  Melanie Summer

If you want to know a little more about Melanie, here you go:

Melanie Summer is an award-winning business owner who oversees a multi-million dollar glamour photography company with 23 staff.  Her success hasn't come easily - she has battled bankruptcy, stress, language barriers, confidence and self-esteem issues, all while being a single mother with little or no support.  Like many small business owners, Melanie realised early on that passion and hard work are wasted without clarity of vision and that being a victim of circumstances is a mindset, not an excuse.  Rather than give up she chose to transform her life and her business by taking on a coach, immersing herself into every self-help seminar she could lay her hands on, re-training as a hypnotheraphist/public speaker and creating a focused, clear roadmap for business success.  Within three years she turned a $250,00 debt into a multi-million dollar assess and was recently awarded the Telstra National MYOB Small Business Award for her remarkable achievements.  Melanie lives and works on the Sunshine Coast with her daughter, Dana. 

Feel free to leave your comments below.