Build Your Own List ... Or Use Others

"Money is in the list ..."
"Money is in the list ..."

I believe whoever is around the Internet for some time would have heard for umpteen times that the Money is in the List.

Now, the question is "Build my own list?" or "Use Others?"

To build your own list, you would need, first of all, Time. Time to harvest the leads using lead capture pages at Safelists and Classified advertising sites.

However, this may not give you a targetted list because, for Safelists, those viewers are just trying to earn credits so that THEY themselves can advertise their own online business. They may not be interested in your online program.

Classified advertising sites may produce a more targetted audience since you can choose the category to promote it in. However, this method of harvesting take a long time to reach a sizeable number of targetted audience.

So, secondly, an alternataive would be buying leads. The only problem is that it, again, may not be your targetted audience, depending on how much you spend and whether you are paying for targetted leads. Then, again, it also depends on how much you trust the supplier of these leads.

To get a targetted, and responsive, list, you would need to filter those who are interested from those who are not.

So, thirdly, you would need to give it time for the list to 'filter' itself. This is done over time when you send out a promotion and see how many respond. Those who do not opt-in for further information can be considered as not interested and not targetted.

Hence, building your own list takes time, money and MORE TIME!

What if there is a ready-list available?

What if there is this group of people who are always on the lookout for something online?

If you know that there is this group who is open to Homebased business, or who is looking for some products, or who is looking for some services, would you considered them as targetted? Of course, they are definitely a good match if you can provide them with what they are looking for. It sure beats swimming in the ocean looking for the type of fish you want.

Such lists are widely available and can be found, if one spend some time searching for it.

One example of such a list is Craigslist. This is the most popular meeting place for people who needs a product or a service. This product or service can be free or payable. There are also people who want to give things away for free. This list is categorised according to service and also according to location. If you live in a particular State, and if you happen to provide a product or service to someone who lives there and who needs it, you have the
advantage of sending it to that person personally, saving yourself time and air freight.

Another example is Classified Advertising sites. They are usually categorised according to needs too. However, nowadays, this type of site has been abused to the state where there is hidden agenda for all visitors who advertise there. So, it may not be so effective after all.

Another area of possibility is Yahoo's Answer. This is where visitor can ask for information, like maybe where they can find a particular product or service. You can then come in and be the supplier if you have a match in the product or service.

So, there are ways to get to your targetted audence, if you have the will to find.

Hence, to build or not to build (your own list)? May not be a necessary question anymore!