How To Build A Huge Opt In List

I just received an email from a guru guy who is selling a list building course. The formula is the same. A long video where he goes on ad nauseum about how rich he is, how little he works, how huge his list is, his secret formula etc. Then he repeats it all again showing pictures of his vacations, his new house, his family, his girlfriends for about 20 minutes. Of course you cannot fast forward and of course the course will only be available for a limited time.

What he says about list building is correct. Most of the gurus make the majority of their money from their huge lists so he is right. List building is crucial to success. But why is he giving me all this hype? Because he has to do a super build up if he is going to charge $497. for a course which basically is just rehashed information that you can find on the net for cheaper or nothing. But he has a huge list, if he is going to tell me how build an even bigger one then I am all ears despite his obnoxiously self indulgent hyped up video.

I check out the table of contents of his course by doing a Google search. My suspicions are confirmed. Modules on how to set up an autoresponder, how to set up a squeeze page, how to find JV partners all good stuff but nothing earth shattering. No secret traffic formula to send thousands of targeted visitors to my pages on the cheap. And the price: $497. Always that $497. or $1997. price. List building is important though and I am looking for new ideas. So I did a search for “How To Build A Huge List.” I came across the great blog post from Friday Traffic report.

Basically he suggests to create a first class product in your niche, complete with graphics and professional web page, something that people would normally pay for then give it away in exchange for an opt in. People who already have huge lists, Twitter and Facebook followers need to be able to send quality content not just sales pitches to their lists. If you really have a quality free product like an info product that you are giving away many will agree to give away your free product. You can also create ebook covers banners etc and tell everyone who gets the report that they can give it away too as long as they do not change it.

I used to give away John Chow’s excellent blogging ebook which he gives away on his newsletter. I did not have product of my own so I used his to get people to join my list. Only problem is that he was getting the viral traffic not me. I am now working on a YouTube marketing product. I am trying out many exciting techniques which are working well.

This requires some work but I like that it requires work. This separates the men from the boys. And I like that the idea is not some B.S. “push a button and watch the money roll in system” that you see on Clickbank now. They are very popular because this is what people want to hear.”Make money do nothing.” I consider this internet marketing porn. As far as I am concerned if you buy that crap you deserved to get ripped off. I am sorry but it is like drugs. If people were not buying them then nobody would sell them. The gurus are simply telling you what you want to hear and taking your money.

Check out Traffic Fridays full blog post here. I really think it is one of the best ideas I have heard yet for building a list. You do not need to spend $497. for some overhyped course. Just find one or two good ideas at a time and execute. You will learn the most at you try to implement the techniques yourself. Let me know when you have a big list. We will start our own internet marketing gang and make money telling everyone how to do it. Remember to take those pictures of your vacations and fancy homes so we can put it on the video!