I think list building is the most important strategy you can follow when Internet Marketing.

The reason is fairly simple; when you have a visitor to your web-site, you have just one opportunity for that visitor to take a desired action (i.e. bookmark, opt in, sign up, recommend, inquire, purchase etc.). However, if that visitor signs up to your list, then you have many more opportunities to encourage that visitor to take a desired action.

For example, when visitors sign up for my 366 FREE Internet Marketing Tips AND Secrets
I have 366 chances to build trust, my reputation and all good things like that. I also have 366 chances to get that person to do what I want them to (because I send them a tip or secret every single day). Now, they may not do what I want them to do. They might NOT recommend or purchase. They may just take the tips and 'run'. That's fine too. Because I know that SOME of the people on the list will do what I want them to. It's just human nature. It's called reciprocity. It's what most religions are based on. Do unto others as you want done to yourself, so that's number one on my list:

1. Give away a LOT. You will get it back (in one shape or form).
2. Add multiple opt-in forms to all your web pages, give people plenty of opportunity to sign up. I make no apology for the fly in you get when you enter, nor the exit pop up either. I want you to sign up!!
3. Give away a valuable gift. In my case, I give away over 100 free gifts, worth nearly $3,000!!
4. Make your content relevant and keep your subscribers happy. Go over the top. Like I say, give away a LOT.
5. Use drop-down boxes or pop-ups. It's a fine line and I know I go over the top, but pop up, drop down, fly in, test them out and see which works best.
6. Use squeeze pages. In other words, a page where the visitor has little option other than to sign up. Of course, you need them to WANT to sign up, that's where the 'squeeze' comes in.
7. Publish articles and submit them everywhere. Point your author resource box at your squeeze page. More on Article Marketing here
8. Write a review page, publish that on other blogs, again, leading to your squeeze page.
9. Record audios and publish podcasts
10. Use forum postings
11. Use a good tell a friend script
12. Start your own forum
13. Invest in Pay Per Click advertising such as Adwords or Yahoo
14. Write testimonials for other people to gain publicity
15. Publish a viral e-book with links to your squeeze page embedded.
16. Swap ads with other publishers. This can be as simple as 'you show mine, I'll show yours' all the way through to a genuine joint venture.
17. Run a contest to create buzz
18. Create a membership site only for subscribers
19. Create another opt-in form on someone's thank you page
20. Publish a Press Release
21. Purchase ezine solo ads or classified ads in ezines
22. Sumbit to ezine directories
23. Create a giveaway application or plug in
24. Use Top Sponsors' Ads in ezines
25. Give your business card away to everyone you meet
26. Create your own Affiliate program for your own product
27. Add URL links to your email signatures
28. Keep your newsletter off the spam lists
29. Create a 5 day e-course for new subscribers
30. Purchase subscribers (going rate around 30c per subscriber)
31. Copy from the best. Sign up for newsletters. Carefully take note of the different tactics used, from the sign up (was it fly in, pop up, inline etc.?), what type of page was the landing page from the opt in form? After you confirmed your e-mail address? What incentive was used to encourage you to sign up? What was the content like? Copy the best ideas!! What did you like? What didn't you like? I'm sure you get the idea…
32. Use List Hero
33. Use Automated List Builder.

There you go. 33 great tips and secrets to get your list building on it's way. If you would like to add a list building tip or secret not listed here, please comment below. Thanks, Allen

{Inspired by Chris Freville of Automated List Builder fame. Thanks, Chris}