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For Great List Building Tips Check This Out:
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Years ago, when I first started in online marketing, all the rage was something called "list building".
I immediately jumped on this subject and started gathering every list building technique one could
possibly imagine. It very quickly became one of my most favorite areas of Internet marketing to
explore; so much so, that when I reached my first goal of getting 1000 subscribers, I was so
pleased with myself, I even wrote an ebook on list building.
But that was then, this is now.
Since that time, online marketing and even the web itself, has changed tremendously. And we are
not talking about small changes or minor adjustments here - the web has fundamentally changed
from the core up. People simply use the web in a different way than they used it 10 years ago. It
has become so much more of a user-friendly place, so much so, that marketing on this friendlier
web has become a whole new ballgame.
The question remains: is list building still relevant on today's web?
The answer is still a solid "YES", but the "WAY" lists are built have almost changed completely.
Not too long ago, traditional list building meant you slapped some sign-ups forms (provided by
your web host or an autoresponder service) onto your web pages and you were in business.
Subscribers who signed up to your list or newsletter, would receive follow-up emails from you or
your site.
Anyone could do it since it was so straightforward and so simple, almost to the point of being idiot-
proof. However, the underlying key to building a successful list was gaining loyalty and forming a
lasting relationship with your subscriber. Successful online marketers and list builders will tell you,
this was really the hardest part. Communicating effectively with your subscribers over a long
period of time is extremely difficult to do and
does require gaining some skills, especially in the copy writing area.
So what has changed the list building process?
In a couple of words, three to be precise: social networking sites. These social networking
programs and sites have completely changed how lists are built on the web. Actually, these social
network sites such as FaceBook, MySpace, Twitter, YouTube... have made list building as easy as
taking your next breath. List building is integrated into these programs so seamlessly, many users
are unaware they are actually building a list.
Simply by using these social networking sites any webmaster or marketer can build a list of
contacts or subscribers. Call them friends, fans or followers - they are your subscribers and you

2. can easily reach them with your next posting, tweet or video. There are countless teenagers on
many of these social networks who have subscribers that number in the 100's of thousands, even
in the millions. And the rate at which they build their list of subscribers, would put many a
seasoned marketer to shame.
There are several reasons why this new way of list building is much more effective than traditional
list building methods. First, building your list of contacts is fully integrated into these network
programs, often it is the main goal or purpose of the program. Seeing how many followers you can
get on Twitter has become a world-wide sport - just go ask Ashton Kutcher!
However, from a marketing perspective, using these programs eliminates one of the major
drawbacks of marketing on the web - spam. Actually, contacting your list by email is becoming
troublesome, even with double opt-in, many of your emails never get through to your legit
subscribers because they are blocked by spam-filters and Internet service providers. Using these
social programs is a way of contacting your subscribers without the whole issue of spam being
considered at all.
Perhaps, an even more important reason to use these social media sites to build your list, has to
do with the tricky problem of establishing relationships with your subscribers. These sites make it
much more easier to build that long-lasting relationship with your contacts. In the case of
YouTube, it can simply mean making a video and talking directly to your subscribers.
Communication is direct and immediate. In most cases, there's no need to acquire additional skills
or techniques. Besides, in most of these social network sites, the communication is often more
effective because it's just not one-way, your subscribers can easily communicate back with you.
Same goes for Twitter, which has become the list building tool of choice for many webmasters and
online marketers. Twitter is an excellent medium for building your list. It can be used effectively to
get your message out to thousands of like-minded followers and have that message spread rapidly
around the web. Marketers are now taking advantage of such a system to market online, but be
aware abusing this program will get you banned especially if you just use it to send spam. Like any
type of marketing on the web, you shouldn't have any problems if you keep all your
communications/interactions real and human.
Another element of these programs which can't be denied, they are all free. Anyone can use these
social network sites to quickly build their list or lists without having to worry about paying for it.
Actually, in the case of YouTube, you can become a partner and earn revenue from Google
AdSense while building your list.
There's also no denying these social network sites have changed not only list building, but how we
use the web. These programs have a "pooling effect" on all web activity, gathering like-minded
individuals into or around certain "pools" on the Internet. These concentrated pools of people can
be formed around a certain topic or even around a certain person. These are excellent areas in
which to carry out your list-building activities and your online marketing efforts since they provide
very targeted prospects. Ones you can easily contact and communicate with by using these social
networking sites.
While the old traditional email list should not be forgotten, list building, as we know it, has been
changed forever by the introduction of these social networking programs. And as these network

3. sites become more and more popular, they will play an even greater role in all your list building
efforts. A role that can't be ignored or dismissed, especially if you want your list building to be truly
effective.
If you want to find out more about list building, try this handy eCourse on: list building Or why don't
you simply follow us on Twitter to get other useful marketing and list building help: twitter
Copyright 2010 Titus Hoskins. This article may be freely distributed if this resource box stays
attached.
Article Source:
http://EzineArticles.com/?expert=Titus_Hoskins
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For Great List Building Tips Check This Out:
http://gscurl.com/bog
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