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By the end of this article, you should have a clear understanding of what opt-in list building actually is and have several images that will help you visualize the strategic role of list building in starting an internet business.

Definition of "Opt-In Building"

What is variously called an "opt-in list", an "email list" or just a "list" is the data base of people, their names and email addresses, that are interested in you and in your niche. They are the people who like what you provide and are willing to hear from you periodically. These people are looking for information about any one of hundreds of subjects (the best cell phone to get or how to use auto-responders or whatever) You make a value exchange with them. You offer them information, in the form of a report, a newsletter, a course, etc in exchange for their name and email.

The reason for this is that statistically 95% of customers will not buy a product the first time they look at it. They visit your site and see your offer and then are gone, likely forever! You want a chance to put it before them periodically. It is said that it takes about 7 exposures for the average buyer to make up their mind to buy. Furthermore, even those who don't buy might be interested in other products that you will offer in the future. You'd like the chance to continue to give this interested group of people, your opt-in list, information of value and expose them to other products that would serve them. That's the theory of an email list.

The way to do opt-in list building is by offering an information product (an e-book or a subscription to a newsletter) on a "squeeze" page where they must give their name and email to get your offer. Or there might be a registration form on a home page of a website to get the product.