It’s All in the List

I don’t cover list building a lot on Pajama Professional because I feel that there are people far better educated about it than I. There are many strategies I use to build my niche lists and I’ve been fairly successful with the basic squeeze page/traffic exchange method.

In all the list building books I have read lately there seem to be two universal truths: size doesn’t matter and build a strong relationship. However, one of my favorite list building ebooks disagrees with the second tenet. David Bullock’s List Blueprint says:

“…I like to send regular tips and information to my subscribers. I do not do this to build a relationship with them as I am not in the business of building relationships but making money. I send tips and info regularly as it gives me a chance to include an offer at the bottom of the email.”

As I said, List Blueprint is one of my favorite ebooks about list building. It is short and concise, but still somehow manages to include everything you need (and some great extras, too!) to build a great list in a targeted niche. I find David’s admission in the quote above surprising though.

It’s good that he is honest, I suppose. However, I’m not sure I quite believe him. If he was really just after the money then why does he have this tactic-packed ebook selling at only $9.95. Knowing how great it is, I would have easily paid at the $37 or even $47 price mark. It steps everything out and even includes a to-do list to get you started with each free list building method.

David is a successful list-builder so the fact that he is openly just out for the money hasn’t seemed to hurt his business any. So why does everyone else swear by creating strong relationships with your membership?

I have a theory. I think that you do not need to have both a large list and a great relationship with your list; one or the other will work just fine. Of course, that leaves you with a question: is just fine good enough for you? Here is the visual aid I created to personally remind myself of what the Internet Marketing world looks like:

So you see, a measly 1% will ever retire – young and filthy rich – to some exotic locale. Yes, I’m talking to you, Mark Joyner. Oh wait, he’s too busy being retired to read blogs, isn’t he?

Of course my diagram is only a rough estimate and my own personal way of staying on track. I see that little red square, dwarfed by all the others and I know that is exactly where I want to be. I know that, more than anything else in my entire life, I am willing to work my way toward that square with everything I’ve got and for as long as it takes to get there.

If you’re reading this, what do you think about lists? Do you think you can have a huge, impersonal list and make tons of money? I know people who have made loads from really small, targeted lists. But can you make a small, impersonal list work? Does it perhaps depend on your niche? Let me know what you think.

You can purchase David Bullock’s ebook for $9.95 at this link: List Blueprint. All profits from this sale will go directly to your friendly neighborhood Pajama Professional.