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List Building Using Articles (Part 2, List Building Strategies)

BY: Sean Mize
Words: 519

Here is another big key to building a quality list. I think that this is one of the most overlooked methods of list building. All too often, people use their articles to try to sell something, right there in the article. But the key with articles is to establish yourself as an expert. Once you are an expert, then people will be interested in your web site and product--not for the product, but for your expertise.

One thing to note here: if you are using multiple sources for your list building, track every source. Not just for traffic, but for source-specific sign-ups and for sales. You might find that one list source gives you 3x the number of sign-ups, which is exciting. But if you aren�t tracking things deeply enough, you might not know that the bulk of your sales are coming from another list, one that is a little slower to grow. Just keep that in mind.

OK, today�s strategy:

Articles.

How do you do it?

First of all, what is an article? An article is a 300 to maybe 1500 word essay where you will answer pertinent questions regarding your topic of expertise. In your article, you can offer useful information. One thing to note here: your sales pitch is NOT useful information.

So how do you get targeted subscribers from an article?

The key here is to become an expert. Write about things that not only pertain to your web site topic, but that you have information regarding. You should have more information than the average reader on your topic, and most of all, be willing to share that information. Readers will judge the quality of your paid product by the quality of your article content. If all you have in your articles is filler information, they will assume that is the way your product is.

One thing that is important here: Do not promote yourself or your web site or your link in the body of the article. Simply offer useful information. Give readers something they can walk away with, day in and day out. Give them something they can do when they finish reading the article, that will help grow their business, or strengthen one of their skills.

Two things happen here. One, people begin to see you as an expert. Why? Because you are providing useful information that they can put to good use. When the information works for them, they will begin to see you as an expert. Two, as they begin to feel more comfortable with you and your style, as they read multiple articles you write, they become curious. They will begin to click through to your link. Because they see you as an expert, they will subscribe to your list.

That is the only way to do it. You must become an expert and they will come to you. They will not come to you if you are aggressive about your site and your product--they have their own products, their own sites, and they get plenty of SPAM in their email daily--they don�t need yours.