Do you know what your most valuable business asset is?

It's your list. Why?

Because you need to build relationships in order to reap clients. And your list enables you to do that with people who have already expressed an interest in what you have to offer.

So how do you start building your list?

Here are 10 ways to get you started.

1) Publish a free newsletter, ezine or helpful tips on a regular basis. It gives people a reason to subscribe to your list. I recommend you publish at least monthly.

2) Offer a Free Bonus to encourage people to subscribe. It could be a special report, e-book or an e-course. I've offered both special reports and an e-course, with good results.

3) Include a Subscription Box on every page of your web site. You never know what page someone will enter your site. So make sure they know about your list regardless of where they enter.

4) Include a page on your web site with more information on your newsletter or ezine. Just because it's free doesn't mean everyone will sign up for it. You still have to "sell" them on it.

5) Write and publish articles. Make sure to include a resource box at the bottom, complete with an invitation to visit your web site to subscribe to your free newsletter or ezine.

6) Include an invitation to subscribe to your ezine in all your marketing. Someone may not be ready to buy, but they may be interested in learning more about you and maintaining contact.

7) Print an invitation to subscribe on the backside of your business cards. And don't forget to mention your free bonus, too.

8) Teach teleseminars. In addition to making a special product or service offer at the end of the call, also offer attendees the chance to subscribe to your free newsletter or ezine.

9) Use your email signature to promote your newsletter or ezine. Make sure to include your website URL so people know where they can subscribe.

10) Ask your current subscribers to refer their friends. Make sure you have a referral program or a "Tell A Friend" program. Offer a gift to those who refer others to you.

Add some or all of these list-building strategies to your marketing plan and watch your prospect list grow!

(C) Copyright 2005 Debbie LaChusa

Debbie LaChusa

Debbie LaChusa is a marketing veteran with 20 years in the business. After 13 years in the advertising and marketing agency business, Debbie founded DLC Marketing, Inc., a marketing consulting and coaching business. Her goal? To give entrepreneurs and small business owners affordable access to the same high-level strategic marketing and advertising expertise that typically only large companies with big budgets can afford.

Debbie's commitment to making marketing expertise accessible to small business also led her to pursue speaking engagements and teaching. She has spoken at meetings and conventions across the United States and in Canada. She also is on the faculty of Wellcoaches Corporation, where she teaches wellness coach trainees around the world how to successfully market their new coaching practices.

Debbie has written and self-published two marketing workbooks, "A Step-by-Step Marketing Guide" and "A Step-by-Step Marketing Guide for Your Fitness Business" which have sold copies worldwide. Her advice is also featured in Entrepreneur Magazine's "How to Start a Personal Training Business," part of the magazine's Business Start-Up Series. And she is a contributor to the San Diego Business Journal.

Debbie created The 10stepmarketing? System to provide small business owners, coaches, consultants and other independent professionals with all the tools they need to market themselves.

This simple, step-by-step system, features an easy-to-use question-and-answer format that walks business owners through every step they need to take to develop and implement their own marketing plan designed to achieve the success they desire and deserve.

On a more personal note, Debbie LaChusa is a fraternal twin. In 2004 she launched Twin Connections, a web site that celebrates the unique and mysterious bond shared by twins. She collects twin stories and hopes to compile them into a book.