Where do you start when you get started online? What do you need? Web site, product, sales page, list, right? Sure---but how do you make everything work together?

I am assuming two things here. One, you already have a product or information to sell. Two, you have or are willing to build, buy, or otherwise obtain a web site.

Once you have a product and a web site, how do you get traffic to it? How do you build a list of potential customers that can buy from you in the future? Notice I say build here, not buy. The list you build will be far more valuable than any you could purchase online. Keep this in mind--if they sell it to you, they probably sell it to many others. Do you want to be one of 25 people mailing your list, or do you want your own, personal list, with people on it who specifically remember requesting you send them more information?

So the first thing you need is an auto responder so you can effectively build your list. The auto responder will allow you to pre-write letters to send to your list on a pre-determined schedule. This allows you to stay in touch with your list whether you are actively working at the office on your campaign, or you are relaxing on the beach (This particular article was written on my vacation).

Once you have your auto responder, set up a page on your web site where people who visit your site can subscribe to your mailing list. Notice I said page, not link. Why? If you just have a sign-up location on your site they may or may not sign up. But imagine that the only way they can enter your site is to subscribe to your list. Wouldn't your subscription rate go up? To see exactly what I mean, click my link at the end of this article. You will get to an opt-in page, and will go no further in my web site until you have subscribed.

Next, write an orderly series of letters to your list. These letters must be informative and easy to read. I like to make mine almost chatty---I try to write them the same way I would talk if you and I were having coffee at my dining room table (or in this case, at the beach).

Now that your campaign has been set up, and you are ready to mail to it, you need traffic. My favorite sources of traffic are articles that I have written, search engine results (if you write articles, your web site should climb the search engine results rankings), and inexpensive PPC campaigns. A note on PPC--do not spend a ridiculous amount of money---bid on lower - priced words, until you have a proven response rate and rate of return. You may think that these methods will not provide as much traffic as banner ads or guaranteed traffic schemes or even buying huge lists and mailing them. But keep in mind, I am looking for long-term income, not a quick buck. What do you want? A quick buck and your web site shut down for spurious techniques, or long-term income?

Next, guard this list with your life. Do not share it, give it away, send useless information, sell it, spam it, nothing. Treat these names as though they are your very closest of friends. Only share with them information you would share with your best friend. Do not send them to some affiliate link to a product you don't know anything about. Respect your list, and they should buy from you. Maybe not today, or tomorrow---but if you treat them right and mail them regularly, they will produce a long term income.