In any business we must have a list of prospects. In the old days, this was done by keeping a Rolodex full of phone numbers. Today we build email lists of our potential prospects. If you are wondering if list building is worth it, check out this blog post “6 Reasons to Build Your Email List”.

If list building is important, then why are most online entrepreneurs struggling with it? Because it requires making some decisions, understanding a little technology (or hiring someone that does), and being committed to daily list building action.

Over the next 4 weeks I will be posting a weekly strategy for  you to get your list building off and running. At the end of the 4 weeks you will have all of your list building pieces in place and you will be actively building your list.

WEEK #1

Monday

1. Assess where you are in terms of growing and maintaining an active email list?
2. How committed are you to taking daily action?
3. Are you willing to utilize social media as a part of your strategy?
4. Are you willing to stay in contact with your list?
5. How many subscribers do you have on your list today?
6. How many subscribers would you like to add over the next 4 weeks?

Tuesday

1. Find your favorite influencer’s Facebook feed (the influencer who is closest to you in field and niche interest).
2. Really look at the type of interaction he or she gets. See what their fans:
   • Ask questions about
   • Rave about
   • Talk about
   • Want from him or her
3. Repeat this for at least two more of your favorite influencers.
4. Make notes about your findings.

Wednesday

1. Determine your goals for your business.
2. If you don’t yet have an autoresponder (an autoresponder is the program you use to collect email address and send out emails to your list), choose one. Don’t over think this.  If you do have an autoresponder, make sure it is the best one for you right now—and that it can meet your future needs.
3. Subscribe to and set up your autoresponder account, if you need to.
4. Familiarize yourself with the latest news and changes from your autoresponder, if you already have one.
5. If you have a new account, look through guides and tutorials.
6. Subscribe to your autoresponder company’s official blog.

Thursday

1. Write a basic email series (again don’t over think this), including a:
   • Thank you letter
   • Welcome/Download letter
   • Third-day reminder on:
     • The download that is awaiting your new subscriber.
     • Your contact info.
     • Your willingness to answer any questions/how to get help.
     • At least five emails containing content to help cement your relationship—and make your new subscriber look forward to hearing from you.
2. Proof your emails.
3. Upload them to your autoresponder (or have them uploaded, if you have decided to outsource autoresponder maintenance and management).
4. CREATE YOUR SIGN-UP INCENTIVE (also known as your freebie or giveaway) if you haven’t yet done so. The easiest thing for you to do is purchase a piece of PLR. If you can’t find anything you like write a short report (PDF) on how to do something for your industry. Use this format for the title “How to _____________ Without _______________”. Example, How to Lose 50 Pounds Without Giving Up Bread (I would read this one.)
5. TEST your emails (your autoresponder will have instructions on how to send yourself a test email).

Friday

1. Review your activities this week. Make a note of anything you still need to do.
2. Do whatever remains to be done from this week’s tasks.
3. If you have time left over, study your notes and/or your autoresponder company’s resources on list-building. Make a note of any strategies or activities that strike you as valuable and useful.
4. If you are still waiting to create or complete a sign-up incentive, decide on the best one and complete it.  KEEP IT SIMPLE. Remember, you don’t have to spend six months creating an incentive: You just have to figure out the ONE simple gift that your ideal subscriber would jump at the chance to access — “now”.

Now, it’s time to take action.

Be sure to come back for Part 2 next week.

For more information check out From Lead Generation to Paying Client.