How important is a list, your very own personal list, when you are building an on line business? Think about this. Are you more likely to open an email that has a sender email address and name that you recognize or a sender email address and name that you do not?

If you subscribe to a newsletter and you receive an informative newsletter once a week or every few days, are you more or less likely to open an email from the sender of that newsletter than one from someone you don’t know?

Believe it or not others on line behave much as you do. So if you cultivate a list of your own, sending emails to subscribers who recognize your return email address as one that sends informative useful information, will your emails be opened at a higher rate than they would if you bought a "safe list" or rented someone else’s list?

Something to keep in mind is the fact a lot of auto responders don't allow using safe lists or rented lists. Is it worth the chance of getting your website suspended? Just steer clear of this practice, and you will get targeted traffic from your own list.

I think the answer should be clear. Your own list wins hand down. Keep in mind, when you buy a list, it is more than likely being sold to many others. So the recipient not only gets your email but 30 or 50 others, all from email addresses they don’t trust.

Developing your own list is a must..

I hear you asking, how is it done? At the very least, you need a web site. It does not have to be anything fancy, just a landing page for interested visitors, where you will put your opt-in script. A Website is a Must!

Setting up a auto responder has to high on your priority list. You will use the auto responder account to deliver messages that help you build a Trusting relationship with your potential customers.

Your emails must be informative and useful in order to keep them getting read .By providing useful and informative content, your readers will look forward to follow-up e-mails you send. If you do not provide useful info your e-mails will never be opened.

Patients is a virtue. You will not build a huge list overnight. But as you build your list, you will be building a business. A long-term business, with repeat customers. And repeat customers is where the money is at.

One note to the wise: Be sure you use the "double opt-in" feature you will receive with your auto responder. This will ensure that anyone who opts in to your list will have to click through to a confirmation link before they receive any emails from you. You don't want to be accused of spamming and this double opt-in is the best route to take.

word of warning to those who really want to buy a "safe list" and simply email your offer to the email addresses on that list. Is it worth a one-time mailing to get your web site suspended for spam activity? Don’t do it! Build your own high-quality list and develop a strong long-term relationship with those leads.