The money is in the list! You've heard it before. Build a big list and then monetize the list! Build it as big as you can!

People brag about their lists with 5 million followers on it.

They brag about how they are gonna be rich one day.

But it never happens.

Because you see, building a big list doesn't matter if your people don't know you. If they aren't passionate about the things you are writing about. In plain English if everything you send out gets put into the trash before it's ever read.

MaryEllen Tribby, the CEO of WorkingMomsOnly.com  recently published an article that hits this topic hard. She said, "Any monkey can build a list!"

If you generate leads and build a list with the lowest hanging methods such as PPC, CoReg, List sharing, buying old leads, etc you can build a big list but it's not targeted. A non-targeted list will get you into trouble before you make any money with it.

Your list has to be a connection with your audience, your clients and your idea prospects. It can't be a place where you just send out email messages and hope that something takes. That my friends could land you in prison on fraud charges.

Building a profitable business means you are customer focused. You live and breathe as a company to serve your customers. Their needs, their dreams and their passions become your goals. You are NOT in the business of blasting people with what you think is great and what they are missing out on. That is a CEO focused business and it's the hardest thing you'll ever build.

Sadly a lot of direct sales companies that people partner with are CEO and product focused. You can just tell from the marketing. "There's never been an opportunity like this. We're the only one. Get on board in the beginning. We're your answer."  None of these words focus on me as the customer and satisfy the needs and longings that are keeping me awake at night.

So how do you build a list that is geared directly and strategically towards your ideal client?  Very carefully and patiently. But one of the biggest secrets is this:

Give away for free what you could rightfully charge money for.

Give people an answer at no cost. Let them become familiar with you. Let them get a result and not have to pay for it. Then do it over and over again. When it comes time to market or sell them something it will happen without trying.

This is how I've always built my companies- my kitchenware store, my MLM businesses, my direct sales companies, copywriting business, coaching- you name it.

I give away so much for free that people have no issue whatsoever when it comes to paying me for more.

Build a list that would be extremely valuable to you and one that you could never dream about sharing or selling. Guard it with your life. It's more valuable than your computer, your internet connection and your office equipment.

Build a list of people with passions, problems and lives that matter and serve them better than anyone else. This is where millions are made!