You have probably heard the saying "the money is in the list" and I can tell you now that this is true.
Without a mailing list you will struggle to succeed online.
If you are new to Internet marketing it is very important that you understand the reasons why having a mailing list is essential to the success of your online business and how it make a difference between the failure or success of your business.
Firstly lets say you have spent months on your website getting it just perfect.
It's the coolest website online, your graphics are professional, your content is original and unique, your products are hot at excellent prices and you have spent an absolute fortune on getting it just right.
Now, as good as all these things are when someone visits your website for the first time the sad reality is that they probably won't buy anything and even though they intend on coming back at a later date they will be so busy it will totally slip their mind.
However, if you were to present your visitors with the option to sign up for your mailing list in return for their details as soon as they arrive on your site then you potentially have a second chance to win that visitor back.
Having a mailing list allows you to follow-up with your prospects so that they will remember you and buy from you when they are ready.
With a mailing list you can take the time to build on a relationship by providing useful advice and information which in return builds trust with your potential customer or client for as long as they stay subscribed to your services.
It's a well known fact people like to buy off people they know and trust and this is something you have lost if you don't have their details.
Having a list means you be seen as an expert in your field and build a sense of familiarity with them.
OK, it may take 10 or more emails for your subscriber to stop and actually take a look at what you have to offer but as soon as they have taken that first step they begin to believe in you and your products or services.
Your list is your database! It gives you chance after chance to promote your business, products and services at no extra cost, so not only is it very effective but it saves you huge amounts in advertising costs which I think every marketer will appreciate.
If you had a shop you wouldn't get this opportunity because the customer only comes to you when they need something.
With your mailing list you are able to give them a little nudge in the right direction.
You can further develop your list by participating in Ad Swaps.
Ad Swaps are where two like minded Internet Marketers come together and agree to promote an incentive of each others to their own list and in return they both generate additional subscribers in their niche.
When doing this you mustn't promote a sales page, it must be an incentive to get the prospective subscriber to join your list so you can then go on and promote your service in the future.
Any decent Internet Marketer will tell you that anyone serious about getting started online needs to build a list first!