Here’s another phrase you’ll grow sick of: The gold is in the list. You might get weary of hearing it, but it’s smacking you in the face for a reason – it’s the truth! First of all, let’s answer the question, “What is a list?” A list in Internet marketing terms is a database of contact information for your prospects. So if you have a product or promote products about gardening and I sign up for your list, I’m a prospect that you can market to repeatedly until I unsubscribe. So why is building a list so important?  Read More

I’m not sure that these forums are meant for self-promotion – see Club rules on the right there:

Simple links to other sites: Please don’t use the Clubs like you would Facebook.  This means avoid new posts to articles. We prefer discussion over links to blog posts and articles. Of course you can link to a relevant post when replying to someone else.
Instead, reply to someone talking about your topic and provide a helpful link – Much more personable

@Andrea I didn’t realize that I couldn’t do that.  Just didn’t want to retype.  I’ll be sure to retype next time.  Sorry.

@michelle My experience in it is that yes, you do need a solid list of contacts. In my business, I teach it in a different manner, however. Instead of saying ok, go get me a list of 200 contacts- I say bring me 5-10 contacts a week. I see that putting the numbers in a smaller context that it does not bring such a burden to people. Some see they need a list of a few hundred and become frozen. A majority of people see 5-10 and see it as much more manageable and do-able.

Yes, exactly, what @amyhallbiz said!  : )

@michelle I’m reminded of something Gideon Shalwick (an excellent video blogger) said — something along the lines of, “I’d rather have 100 millionaires watching my videos than 10,000 15-year olds without access to a credit card.”  I’m paraphrasing, but you get the idea.  It’s the same for a list, 100 people who are your ideal customers is way better than 10,000 people who aren’t, and who barely open up your emails. 

As far as building a list, guest posting on blogs identified as serving your same target audience can work really well.