It doesn't matter what you're selling – or how brilliant your copy is, sooner or later, you'll need to consider the fact that the money, for most, is in the list.
'The list' is your mailing list – and to create a sustainable source of income, you need to develop a list worth hacing access to.

Central to this, and the one of the best ways to convert visitors into subscribers is to bribe them. Not quite in the old fashioned way of offering money – but in the very real way of offering them something for virtually nothing – your mini e-book for their address.

Its important to remember though that people are so used to being deluged with spam, and are naturally distrustful in giving their email address away, that they may use a 'throw-away' address for their subscription, which means that your bribe has to actually catch their attention.

Jimmy D Brown, the highly successful list builder and e-book mogul suggests giving them two options – sign up to receive the free download and then, in the email that details the download, offer them a reason to continue reading your e-zine or auto responder.

For instance, you could give them the option to check out some other offer that will give them a strong incentive to read your newsletter the following day – that offer should also support the overall theme you're aiming for with your mini e-book.

You should also close with a strong enticement, making them want to continue reading, so you could outline what you're planning on sharing next – or tell them about a project that you're due to show off soon – something that will leave them wanting more.

Though it seems like underhand tactics, this is how you bribe visitors into becoming mailing list subscribers – and how you keep them reading every time you mail them.