Just Starting Out? Build A Profitable List Quickly!

by Del Lewis

There must be a reason why some internet entrepreneurs have huge lists and others struggle to get anybody to sign up for anything.

I'm sure you've heard the famous saying "the money is in the list". It's so true. And building a big list of motivated buyers is actually very easy, even for beginners, to do.

So why don't you have a big list? Well only you know why it is for you, but after reading this article you will be well on your way to having one.

It all starts with what I call a Desired Action Landing page (DALP).

So what exactly is a Desired Action Landing page (DALP)? Well first let's talk about landing pages in general. You may have heard them referred to as "squeeze pages", "shy yes pages", or opt-in pages".

Simply put, it is a web page that your potential customers arrive at first. They see some general information about what you are selling and they must enter their contact information if they want more.

I like the term Desired Action Landing page because I build my pages in such a way that the potential customer takes the action I most desire, which in this case is to give me their name and e-mail address, thus building my list.

This is without a doubt one of the easiest ways to build a list of motivated buyers. And remember, we want motivated buyers. Building a list just to have a bunch of names on it doesn't do us any good.

Many beginners shy away from creating a opt-in or squeeze page because they think that it will turn people away and people will never see their offer.

Well again, let's keep in mind that we want buyers not just visitors. Just think about this for a minute, if someone is not willing to give you their name and e-mail address, how likely are they to give you their credit card information?

Let me paint a visual for you so you can "see" what a DALP looks like. First of all, picture a webpage with colors that are consistent with the product you are promoting. One of the biggest mistakes beginners make is to have a landing page that looks and feels nothing like the rest of their website.

Typically, your Desired Action Landing page is smaller than a full sized webpage. It should be bordered and centered. BTW, don't worry if you don't know how to build a webpage. There are low cost sources to get all this done. Just Google website design, or landing page design.

Without fail your DALP should have the following elements:

1. An attention grabbing headline

2. A list of the benefits of your product (bullet points)

3. Graphics (picture, logo, or image of product)

4. An information capture box (to capture name and e-mail)

5. Explanation of what they get when they give you their contact info (this could be a free report, a free e-book, or simply access to your sales page).

The key here is that after the potential customer enters their contact information your DALP will send them to what you promised them - a free report, an e-book, or access to your sales page.

When your DALP is designed to give the potential customer access to your sales page, it is very important that you get them excited and motivated by what you can do for them. Your information will need to be very compelling, but this is a very effective strategy if done right.

These next two DALP page elements are optional yet extremely powerful:

1. Audio - a recording that explains the benefits of your product

2. Video - a video (with audio) that shows them the benefits

Using audio and video can literally build your list twice as fast!

So, how do you get started down the road to building a huge list of motivated buyers?

Here are the steps:

First, select your product and clearly define the benefits to the end user. Put them into bullet point form.

Craft an attention grabbing headline. Be as specific. If you are selling a weight loss product don't just say "Loose Weight With XXXX Product" instead say "Loose 10 Pounds in 10 Days" (of course be truthful).

Determine what graphics you want to use and determine what your DALP page color scheme will be.

Finally, determine what you want to give the potential customer for taking your desired action. Will it be a free report, and e-book, access to your complete sales information, or something else?

Once you have gathered all this information you are in perfect position to pull it all together into an effective Desired Action Landing page.

From the standpoint of a beginner I know it seems like I've given you a lot of information. I have, but I know you can do this.

Building an effective list is perhaps the most important thing you can do to grow your online business. And the sooner you start the more profitable you will be.

The last thing I want to leave you with is that "business is a team sport"! No successful entrepreneur ever did it alone. You should focus on the areas that you know and like and leave the rest to others.

And remember to always be learning. All the people at the top of their professions are constantly learning, and all these people had to begin somewhere.