List building techniques are important to apply as part of growing any internet, or even off-line business model. However, I am principally writing this from the perspective of online marketing, but many of the ideas can be transposed into a bricks and mortar business model as well. Essentially, recognizing that it is difficult enough, including the costs of attracting a client to your web or store front, you want to be able to do all you can to capture their information so that when they eventually leave,as they all do, you can still market to them later on. Let me please say here that 'marketing to them' does not mean sending daily emails that include a link to 'buy' something. That is probably the quickest way to actually encourage your email recipient to hit the unsubscribe key.

In other words, the best type of emailing process, in my opinion, is to provide a healthy selection of emails, essentially that are informative and that actually provide real and useful information for your readers. By doing this, and in maybe one out of three or four emails, actually included a link for suggesting your readers purchase something, you will be demonstrating a genuine respect for your readers and they will see and recognize this.

After all, people do not want to be seen as potential or actual cash cows, and when their interest and trust is abused, you will tend to see a rapid dropping off of clients on your email list. In some cases, natural attrition may occur, but I encourage you to always be building your list to avoid this becoming a problem.

In all cases, by treating your clients and readers right, you will develop a 'relationship' with them where they will be more interested to remain on your list, and also trust your recommendations when they are made. In other words, it does take effort to build your list up, and it is totally worth it in the longer term. I understand that for many of you, this will just be the background issue and you will be wanting to know what steps you can take. I recommend the following:

• Create a website with an offer form to offer some sort of free bonus, in return for the name and email.
• It is important for the bonus to really be worth something rather than just a low quality product. People can see through these tactics.
• I also recommend creating a separate squeeze page where you only have an offer and an opt in form. This way, you can compare the results between your full website as well as the squeeze page only.
• I also recommend creating a regular backlinking strategy to ensure your website is found in the first place. This is long term process in my view that will reward you for years to come. I do this in the form of creating blogs as well as commenting in an informed and meaningful manner on other blogs.
• Never send or create spam material as it is unethical, morally wrong and won't be appreciated by anyone- humans and search engines alike.

Essentially, creating traffic is a process that takes time and effort. In addition, I have found another method that works to create subscribers is to record audio recordings of interviews or similar events that are educational, and then to allow them to be placed on your website as a gift for subscribers. This is just one idea you might like to consider instead of the usual eBook giveaway.