How To Build A Lead List Fast
I was browsing the Better Networker Forums last night when I came across a real doozy of a question: “Can anyone tell me how to build a list fast?” While I was tempted to laugh at the question at first, after serious consideration I thought we should look at what his options really are.
These are only ideas, but I would love to know what you think too. After you read these, feel free to share some insights of your own.
Here’s Six Ways To Build A Massive Lead List Fast – By Jason Better
Quite The Ad-Venture…
Joint Ventures: Dean McNamara pointed out the quickest way to build a list is Joint Ventures. If you don’t know what a joint venture is, that’s okay. It’s just a fancy way of saying “partner with other business owners”. So if you want to build a big list then you approach other business owners who already have massive lists and strike a deal with them. Yeah, I know what you’re thinking: “Easier said than done.”
Google Boogle…
Google Adwords: Sandeep Nath suggested that Adwords was the way to go if you had a bit of money. I have to agree with that. Google Adwords is probably one of the fastest ways to build a list as long as you have an offer or opt-in page that converts. Mike Dillard himself openly admits that pay-per-click advertising played a part in his massive success in our industry. But if you’re completely broke… well that’s a tough path to follow.
Attracting An Army…
Affiliates: Kurt Henniger mentioned that affiliates would be a great way to go. I thought that was a pretty cool idea if I ever saw one. You would build a product and pay your affiliates per leads generated or sale made. Of course, this kinda assumes that you’re successful already. No doubt, this is an option most people would not be in position to take.
Kinda Like Swine Flu…
Viral Url: I know that viralurl.com was mentioned too. I have talked to a guy who got banned from Google Adwords for something he did with his account there. Not sure about the details, but I would proceed with caution. Still, I wouldn’t rule it out without examining it myself because I know that a lot of people are VERY successful with it.
An Offer You Can’t Refuse…
Your Offer: A few people mentioned building an offer or a product that would help you build a list. I think that’s a great idea. If you look at the big name gurus, that’s how they made a lot of their money too. The problem is, you gotta build the product!
A Little Birdie Told Me…
Social Media: Yet another brilliant suggestion was Social Media. I know a lot of people are building lists with sites like Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn or even Myspace. But the question is, how fast will this build your list? How much time will it take from running your business? It’s tough to say for sure, but it might be right for you.
It really DEPENDS on you…
• Your Budget
• Your Time
• Your goals
Do you even need a MASSSSIVE list at all?
It’s something you have to ask yourself before you get lost in the jungle of internet marketing. Do you really need thousands of people on your list, or do you need three devoted team mates who buy into your dream entirely.
Three people who have their own three people.
Three Musketeers, if you will.
You have to decide.
How Would YOU Build A Massive List Fast?
Hypothetically, we’ll assume that you want to build a massive list by the end of 2010. I know that’s a little slow for some people, but how would YOU go about building a massive list?
Better yet…
How are YOU building your list right now?
Talk to you soon,
Jason Better “The Better Networker”
The Jason Better Blog
P.S. Hey, why not give this post tweet? If you like this post and would like to help your friends then click that little green “retweet” thingamabob on the top of this post. It’s quick, easy, and painless. Thank you.
30 Comments
Jason on January 4th, 2010
Hey Jerome,
Thank you.
I totally agree. I would rather have
a list of 100 movers and shakers who
actually want to succeed than 50,000
duds any day.
Quality and qualified.
[Reply]
Adam Goldman on January 4th, 2010
Hey J,
I’ve just sumbled upon viraual myself,
Been wondering if I should use them.
About building my list,
I’m using articles,facebook, now I’m
mastering google PPC, also starting with
videos, and of course of course,
My Awesome Nerve Center 
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 10:52 am
Hey Adam,
I know that quite a few people
are successful with them but I also
talked to a guy who had his Google Adwords
account canceled “because of them”.
Not having used them myself, I can’t recommend them
for sure. I would proceed with caution… find someone
who really knows the inns and outs first. And don’t take
any needless risks.
It’s one of those things where I’m “on the fence”. It seems
like Google doesn’t like them much.
[Reply]
Dwayne Huggins on January 4th, 2010
Hi J
I would agree with you and Jerome. Its not about building a massive list. Its about building a list of quality people. To get quality you will have to take a little bit more time to find out what people REALLY want and then give them a great reason to get it from you. Once you have suitable figured that out and the quality leads start to flow in, then and only then should you turn up the heat on your marketing efforts.
Dwayne Huggins
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 10:55 am
G’day Dwayne.
I think this is the one thing that people
lose sight of on their quest to build
“massive lists”.
They forget that there’s real living, breathing human
beings on their lists. They focus on quantity over
quality.
[Reply]
Derek Alvarez on January 4th, 2010
Hi Jason,
The “quality over quantity” argument is exactly why I don’t see Social Media as a waste of time.
Through Social Media, my list already has a great idea of who I am and there is some built-in trust when they opt in.
In my humble opinion, it is harder to generate this kind of trust through Google Adwords alone.
I’m not saying it can’t be done, because it obviously has by many people (Mike Dillard included).
But when my wife and I get a call from someone who’s been following us through Social Media and our blog, they talk with us as if they’ve met us before.
This makes it MUCH easier to close the sale.
Make this year your BEST ever,
Derek
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 12:42 pm
G’day Derek,
For sure. I’m actually a huge fan of
social media for this reason alone. It’s might
not be the fastest way to build a list… but it sifts the
chaff from the wheat.
I think we get a little awed by the massive results that
pay-per-click and joint ventures have. Definitely the way
to go if you’re looking for king-sized results fast but there’s
a heck of a lot to be said for taking one relationship at a
time too.
[Reply]
Mitchell Dillman on January 4th, 2010
Morning Jason,
Seems everything I’ve heard for several months points to ‘The List’. Isn’t that what this Online Marketing business is all about? “The money’s in the list”?
All of a sudden I’m seeing all this talk about getting back out on the street to talk to your ‘warm list’(there’s that word again).
We’ve got Lane Romero-Reiss telling us to stay away from the Internet.
Diane Hochman’s video talking about how everyone’s trying to ‘brand themselves’ as a leader and we should all just sit down and shut up. Whaa, Whaa, whaa, wa, wa…
Well, at least Linus Ruzicka seems to still be interested in attracting more visitors.
As for me, I’m gonna do whatever I can to build my list. I may not have the budget to ‘open up the flood gates’ with Adwords, but don’t think I’m gonna sit down quietly in the corner.
Heck Jason, I’ve just gotten started here.
If it takes me some trial and error, so be it. I’ll continue to watch posts like this to learn from. I’ll do what the successful leaders in our Industry have proven works…Articles, Social Media, etc. I’m currently working on my first product and will soon be releasing a teaser.
I’m even getting a bit creative and working with my partners to generate and grow ‘our’ list in ways that have yet to be proven. How will we ever now without stepping out of the ‘box’ to try?
Thanks Jason,
Mitchell Dillman
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 12:50 pm
Isn’t that funny Mitchell?
Yeah, I can see where you’re coming from. It’s
like all the experts are contradicting other experts. lol.
I think the grass is greener on the other side, but it’s because
those darn money trees are killing the grass on this side…
Better get some pesticide.
I think both sides of the fence have virtues. We each have to
pick our own path to freedom.
But I wouldn’t buy any guru who says you don’t need a list at
all.
I’ve also noticed this reverse trend about approaching your warm
market too. Weird how things come full circle. It’s like watching
a tiger eat it’s tail.
[Reply]
Derek Alvarez on January 4th, 2010
“I think we get a little awed by the massive results that
pay-per-click and joint ventures have. Definitely the way
to go if you’re looking for king-sized results fast…”
You’re going to convince me to be a Pay-Per-Click junkie pretty soon here (LOL)
I want some of that kind of action!
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 2:52 pm
Hah Derek,
You know, I’m blown away by the results people get with
pay-per-click. I don’t really know if there’s a faster way to
boost web traffic other than joint ventures with
massive lists… or the exception of some incredibly good SEO.
I guess it all depends on whether you have a direct way to monetize that traffic. If so… then I think a person would have to be crazy not to get into PPC.
[Reply]
Twila Jacobs on January 4th, 2010
I too would rather have quality than quantity.
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 3:51 pm
Hey Twila,
How about quantity of quality? Haha.
Yeah, I agree with the quality over quantity. It’s
a shame the two don’t go together more often.
[Reply]
chris owen on January 4th, 2010
I know it doesn’t sound as hyper effective as a good capture page and PPC campaign, but I have a method of getting the most highly targeted leads available, without an opt-in box.
I didn’t even realize it was happening at first. I decided the best way to become known as a leader in this industry would be to be as helpful as possible to others. So I started going to forums and answering questions. I don’t advertise anything or put a link in my responses most of the time.
I soon realized that people were following up with email responses. I continued to answer questions and recommend programs that I have been through. In 2009 I made thousands in affiliate sales from people who never opted in to anything. And that was just a byproduct of trying to be helpful.
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 3:57 pm
Chris I think everybody should read your
comment.
At first I thought you were just trying
to pitch something… but man… you hit that nail on
the head.
Help people get what they want. Be helpful. I wish more
people just approached it all from that angle.
And the funny thing is, I bet you get opt-ins just from
being a helpful decent guy.
I can almost hear old Zig Ziglar saying:
“You can have everything in life you want,
if you will just help other people get what they want. ”
Thank you Chris.
I think you just helped a lot of people out.
[Reply]
Dave Marsh on January 4th, 2010
As a relative Newbee, I’m coming down on Mitchell’s side here. For those of us who don’t have much of a list yet, we should be trying everything we can to attract prospects, within the constraints of our time and our budget. If this includes using the 3-foot rule, social media, attraction marketing systems, etc., so be it.
The “experts” have found their niche, built their lists and are doing well, but what is “whaa, whaa, whaa, whaa, whaa” to Diane Hochman seems to work for other leaders (and vice versa). Whether it works for me remains to be seen, but I’ll never know if I don’t try it.
The key, I think, is to be able to discern when enough is enough. For example, I may like the idea of using an attraction marketing system, but if it isn’t working for me after a reasonable trial period, I’ve got to be smart enough to let it go and focus on something else.
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 4:02 pm
Hey Dave,
That’s the tricky part!
When is enough… enough? Seems like
every day an expert is saying:
“Don’t quit, don’t QUIT, DON’T QUIT!”
Then five years later we look back on the
things we shoulda tossed away. We aren’t where
we really wanted to be.
You know, sometimes I’m a “quitter” too. I think
in some cases… it’s the smart thing to do if you
want to reach your goals.
Like you said:
“I’ve got to be smart enough to let it go
and focus on something else.”
[Reply]
Tracey Hausel on January 4th, 2010
Hi Jason, I agree with you and Dave that there is a time to quit. Seth Godin talked about knowing when to quit and knowing when to keep going (in general not marketing specific) in his book “The Dip”.
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 8:38 pm
Good evening Tracey,
Totally. Dave brought up something
that’s been vexing me for a while. There
comes a time when you have to cut losses
and move in a new direction.
“Fail fast and fail forward.” I forget who said it.
Love that quote.
Big fan of Seth Godin too.
[Reply]
chris owen on January 4th, 2010
It’s funny you used a Zig Ziglar quote to respond to my comment. My strategy for making business connections came from that comment; “You can have everything in life you want, if you will just help enough other people get what they want.” and another quote from him; “If you go looking for a friend, you’re going to find they’re very scarce. If you go out to be a friend, you’ll find them everywhere.”
The best way to do business, and find long term loyal customers, is to be a friend.
[Reply]
January 4th, 2010 at 8:50 pm
Evening Chris,
Yeah, huge fan of Zig. I guess you
could say I’m a huge fan of quite a few
people but Zig’s advice always brings a
smile to my face.
I guess a lot of his advice could be summed
up as… give before you get.
Love it.
[Reply]
Linus Ruzicka on January 5th, 2010
Jason, another thoughtful post and one where I completely stand on the side of the fence where you grow your list with a strategy that you know well and can easily teach others to do. Whether it’s Facebook, PPC, blog marketing, articles, etc – just find the one that you want to do and work it until you’re successful.
Mitchell Dillman mentioned me in an earlier comment above, and it really is a matter of attacting visitors to my blog. Right now it is ALL about my blog (nerve center) and using that as a way to not only inform others and help others out, but to “activate” them into an action with a lead capture form at the bottom of my posts.
I learned this from Jimmy Davis and Dennis Karganilla last year in the 90 Day challenge.
It’s one thing to build an effective blog, and it’s another thing to build a blog and use it as a way to capture more leads and build your list that way.
Using the strategies I’ve learned from others, created my own, and brainstormed with, I have been seeing an increase in my SEO rankings, Alexa score, and lead flow almost accidentally.
Then I started looking at SEO tactics and realized that I had already started that before I got into it.
So YES, I am all about increasing visitors to my blog and in effect I get high quality leads that already know me – just like Derek Alvarez mentioned earlier.
But I’m not tempted to dive into PPC quite yet 
~ Linus Ruzicka
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 9:55 am
Hey Linus!
Nice to see you here.
Love it…
“just find the one that you want to do
and work it until you’re successful.”
I think I came on pretty strong with the PPC
stuff. Hah. Man, I know it works but it can get
expensive if you do it wrong… which a lot of people
do.
But I totally agree, find something you’re in tune
with and stick with it. Some of us love creating content.
Others love being social media mavens…
By the way Linus, you have one sweet blog. Love it
man. I think a lot of my readers could benefit by checking
it out.
[Reply]
Linus Ruzicka on January 5th, 2010
Jason,
Thanks man…I love the props. The info and content you’re putting out – especially in the Inner Circle Newsletter – is kick-ass. Great motivation for me and others to see that sort of content, and to use as an example to determine what to place in front of others as content.
Looking forward to future posts of course!
[Reply]
January 5th, 2010 at 11:21 pm
Why thank you Linus.
That’s what we like to hear. I’ll
try to live up to my reputation.
[Reply]
Randi Moore on January 7th, 2010
I would take 2 – 3 go getters and builders over a massive list any day any time. Don’t get me wrong. A list is important, especially when you have a new product/idea you want to send out to the masses and get massive action.
I am still looking for my own 2 -3 myself. Anyone interested?
Randi Moore
[Reply]
January 7th, 2010 at 3:37 pm
Now now Randi…
Recruiting here? Haha.
I agree with you. 2-3 go getters over
a list any day.
Especially if those go-getters are out there
recruiting more go-getters…
Mind you, I would think it was even better if
those go-getters went out there and recruited
more go-getters with their own lists.
[Reply]
Gregory Elfrink on January 20th, 2010
I got some stuff planned for voicemail broadcasting.Let yah know how it goes next month, Jason =)
[Reply]
January 20th, 2010 at 11:58 am
That would be cool Gregory,
I would very much like to know.
[Reply]
Great post and helpful tips.
I do believe building a list is important but I completely agree having a list of qualified prospects is far more important than building a massive list of people.
For me, I would rather work with a smaller list of action takers versus a large list of nelly willies.
Although, this does depend on your intent of the list.
Jerome Ratliff
[Reply]