Many successful marketers preach the importance of building a list and with good reason but knowing you need to have one does not translate into success unless you are either monetizing a small list or are continuing to grow one to ensure you are earning long-term profits.

Here are 3 ways to put you list building on autopilot:

1. Consistent Publishing – make sure to have an opt-in form available at all your promotions. Each link should lead to a way you can capture leads. When you write articles add a link in the resource box that leads to a squeeze page, add opt-in forms on your blog and add lead capture links to your e-Books, reports, etc.

2. Irresistible Offers – people will not buy from you instantly so it is important to entice them to join your list so the most common way of doing that is by offering something free. It is always nice to think out the box in this situation but simplify it by giving away a free report in either an audio, pdf, pod cast or video format.

3. Word of Mouth – build strong relationships with your subscribers by always keeping their interests ahead of yours. Provide quality content and give them ways to contact you if they ever need any help. Loyalty and trust will eventually grow and they will tell their family, friends or business partners about you.

When building a list using an eye-catching squeeze page with impressive copy including a free offer it can get you started off on the right foot but what you do once you have people on your list is where the real work begins.

Here are 3 key elements to your long-term income when building and maintaining a list of active subscribers:

1. Free Content – you have to strike a balance between free content and the content you will eventually earn multiple income streams from. It would be difficult to try making sales without giving prospects a large enough sampling of what you can give them in terms of quality information that provides solutions to their needs.

2. Quality Content – although you are giving away free information to your subscribers it must be quality content you provide. Learning how to give a little but creating anticipation for more is what you have to work on. You don’t want to give away all your secrets and tips but you want to give solid enough content to hold your subscriber’s interest.

3. Valuable Content – once you have nurtured your list by providing free quality content you can start introducing the valuable content. What do I mean by valuable? This is the information your list of subscribers would be willing to purchase. At this point you can start earning a long-term income because it will be in demand.