If you are completely new to list building, you may not know the difference between a follow-up message and a broadcast message.

Followup message: Your follow-up messages are what the members of your list receive no matter when they sign up.

These will usually be in a sequence that is delivered at a predetermined rate. So, if Sally signs up on Tuesday she will receive follow-up message #1 on Tuesday.

If Tom signs up on Friday, he will receive follow-up message #1 on Friday. That means that your autoresponder sequences are your little relationship builders and salespeople 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year.

Broadcast messages: These types of messages are sent out to your entire list so that they receive them at the same time (also referred to as an “email blast”).

This is a good option if you have something to share that is not a normal part of the sequence. It might be a special announcement or a time-sensitive or limited-time-offer special deal. Use both types of messages in your business for best results.

Building your list should not be an afterthought. If it is, it’s never going to be as large or responsive as you want it to be.

Building your list needs to be at at the top of your mind as you build or expand your business. Making it a priority means studying this blog, as well as tweaking and testing your own findings.

As an e-mail marketer you need to make sure that you have permission to send people e-mails. This means that they must opt-in to your list rather than you e-mailing them out of the blue.

You have two options for creating an autoresponder list:

1. Single Opt-in: Your reader signs up on your website and is automatically added to your list.

2. Double Opt-in: Your reader signs up on your website and is sent a confirmation email that contains a link that must be clicked before adding him/her to your mailing list.

Page 10 “101 List-Building Tips” Many marketers choose a double opt-in.

Why? The second step reminds people that they have, in fact, signed up to receive messages from you. This can cut down on many of the complaints that might otherwise occur.

It also prevents spammers from submitting fake emails to your autoresponder and clogging up your account.