If you’re into any form of internet marketing you know the importance of having a list. For anyone into direct network marketing that is not building a list of subscribers they are setting themselves up for failure. Good qualified leads are becoming harder and harder to find and convert. If you want to maximize your revenues while you build your network marketing business, you are going to have to build a list.

Today, success in direct network marketing just like in any form of internet marketing is dependent on one’s ability to build and develop a list – a list of subscribers who know and trust you. And I’m not talking just about your list of members in your downline. Your downline is just a subset of the list you need to be building. If you think about it, your downline isn’t really your list at all. It belongs to the network marketing company.

The list I’m talking about is one that belongs to you. Some of the people on that list may join your network marketing business opportunity and some won’t. If they do, that list becomes your downline and really belongs to the network marketing company. Who cares? They are already on your own list. They are there for you to offer other services and business opportunities over time.

Building that list is not really that hard. There are many ways to go about it. It will take some time and effort and you will need a website to do it correctly, but over time it can pay off big. There are some who say they can build lists without a website. Well maybe they can, but what you want is to build a sustainable business with a market following. You need a web presence for that.

You will need to add content to your website to build it out – good valuable content that will be of interest to the market segment you are targeting. For example, you may want your site to be an education and training site for new network marketers. Your content will offer them tips, techniques, tools and strategies for building their own downline and network marketing business. If you have been online for awhile you know a lot more than you probably think you do. You have a lot of value to offer.

Now most people will need some inducement to give you their email. Create a free offering that will have some real value for their business. Here again an ebook on tips and secrets for developing a downline is an example. Maybe you want to provide your subscribers with a regular newsletter on strategies that are working right now in the marketplace. The options are really limitless. Use your imagination.

Then as people join your list they are your followers. They joined because you have promised to provide them with something of value. You now have one of the most valuable assets an internet marketer can have. Treat it well and it will make you money for a long time.

Todd Gleason is a frequent author on small business development and internet marketing. You can learn more about the new skills needed for direct network marketing and get a free copy of “7 Secrets to building a Productive Downline” here.