Most of the opportunities on the internet have some sort of affiliate program. Not surprising because it is by far the fastest way to reach potential customers. You could say that most programs out there have a MLM component but the very phrase ‘MLM’ or Multi Level Marketing’ is unfortunately scaring people.

Some think they can’t recruit and being a non-recruiter is seriously limiting their profits. This is especially true for programs that have sponsoring or qualification requirements.

So every now and then when I send out a new opportunity some members will reply to me and say that they like the program but won’t join because they are not good at sponsoring others.

Fair enough.

But when I tell them it might not be as hard as they think they sometimes reply saying that is easy for me to say because I have a list.

Well yes, that is absolutely true.


Of all the advertising options available there is not one that beats having a private mailing list!

You see, having a mailing list means you have a group of people that are willing to hear what you have to say. They volunteered to do that. It is like they put the radio on your channel so to speak.

The thing is that every internet user is being swamped with advertisements, be it spam in your email, Google ads on websites, the TV, the radio or even the leaflets on the door mat. Most ads are simply ignored because the human brain can’t handle all that (useless) information. It’s a natural thing; most of the ‘selling’ info is being ignored. It happens on auto pilot.

But having opted in for mails from a certain mailing list is like opening the firewall for information coming from that list. Those emails go straight to the receiver’s brain and will get attention. No other advertising can beat that.

Why do people subscribe to mailing lists?

The fact of the matter is that one way or another; they see this as rewarding situation. Maybe even recognize it as a win-win situation.

Some people will give you a free e-book with some sort of marketing secret to sign up for their mailing list, others will simply send you (hopefully) interesting information through their list, or give you a discount on a service, promise to reveal an important secret etcetera. But in the end, you get some sort of payoff for being subscribed to that list.

As a result a list owner has an open minded audience that is actually reading the information the list owner sends out.

The very fact that you’re reading this is proving my point.

Lesson to be learned is that if you’re serious about making an online living you got to have a mailing list. No ‘but’ here, it is a fact. Numerous marketers already said it: “The money is in the list”.

There is another truth in network marketing: “Promote or fail”. Active members always make more money than passive members.

How to start your own mailing list

There are numerous programs out there that will help you to build you a mailing list. Some are good, some are bad. I might say something about that topic in another post some time but for now I’d like to make an other point.

Mailing lists can start small. You don’t have to have 5,000 subscribers overnight. Sure it would be great but for most people this is simply not feasible. Instead here’s what you *could* do to get started.

First of all start out with the people you know that wouldn’t mind subscribing to your mailing list. Tell them your starting and add them if they agree to.

Here’s another idea that works.
Every time you get an email from someone about this or that program, reply and say you read the email and are considering the offer. In the same email ask if it is ok to add that person to your mailing list! IF that person replies that it is ok (this is important!) than add that person and there you go, 1 person added to your mailing list. And also important, a person that is obviously interested in a good opportunity and knows how to recruit others!

Later on you can advertise, setup a website or blog, and use a number of other techniques to add subscribers. There’s much to say about the subject but my point is that you can start small and build from there.

The above reflects my personal opinion on the subject but as said, you might feel different about this.

Good luck with your business,

Remco