If you're like I was when I first started out in Internet Marketing, you're probably wondering how to be successful. I didn't know much about being online. I had no idea about how to get a web page up and running. I had no idea how to drive traffic to it, once it was up. I had only about $50, and I didn't know anyone--no one at all!

So, what could I do? I went out and tried to find the most successful people online. I needed to understand what made them successful, what about them all made them successful. I studied people like T. Harv Eker, Alex Mandossian, and Jay Abraham, among others, and it dawned on me. The single common thread running through all of their success stories was that they had enormous lists. They had these huge lists of people that they could call, write, or email anytime. They could offer them valuable information or products, and make money, any time they wanted or needed to have it. Well, I realized that if I wanted to have that same kind of success that I'd better start list building, too.

But I had no idea where to get a list, and maybe you don't know where to get one, either. My method was through joint venture and List Crusade, and of course, the rest is history. But the secret is to keep list building, to always be list building.

You may have secrets of your own and are already list building, but most new people are probably wondering where to find people who will be interested in what you have to offer them.

First, you need to define a niche. What do you like? What's important to you? Maybe you're a gardener? A parent? Are you into crossword puzzles? When you're not at work, what do you like to do? Maybe you're into sports or you might like NASCAR. And then, maybe you just like to shop at the mall on the weekends. Whatever. Each of these activities has list building potential. Find the people who like to do what you like to do, and they're your target market.

And now, you're wondering where to find them, right? Well, it's actually pretty easy because we have something called, "The Internet." It's not like you have to go to garden club meetings and schmooze with other gardeners. Well, you can, and if you're passionate about gardening, you probably do, but I doubt that you ever stray far from your circle of gardening friends. But the Internet not only makes other gardeners available to you, it makes the whole world of gardeners available to you!

The first thing you should do is go to Google Groups (http://groups.google.com) and type in "gardening" or whatever your niche is. A list of different newsgroups available in a part of the Internet, called Usenet, will come up on your screen. You can access them right through Google, or you can use a stand-alone newsreader, like Outlook Express, Forte's Agent, or other software to access them.

Just be sure to read through some posts before jumping into any group. If you post something that isn't pertinent to the group or ask a dumb question that's been asked a zillion times before, people won't be very kind. Try to find one of the more civilized groups, where you'll have a chance to interact easily with the group. Then, be sure to include the URL to your squeeze page in your signature. If you make some interesting comments, people will want to know more about you. They'll go to your page, and may even join your list.

Online forums are another great place to find people in your niche. Go to any search engine and type in "gardening forums," and you'll get a whole list of forums back. Forums are like Usenet groups, but rather than being free-for-all, they're usually moderated. But the same courtesy applies. Don't start posting right away. Read through some posts, and introduce yourself before you start writing in the forum. Decide what aspect of your niche they're most interested in, and then, provide some great information. Do it every day! Become a regular. When you give people things they can learn or are at least interesting with your comments, people will want to know who you are and more about you. Chances are that they'll click on your link and maybe join your list.

Offline friends are also a good place to find list members. Your friends may not even realize that you have a gardening report or that you operate online. If you're part of a group that's particular to your niche, why not ask the moderator to announce your newsletter, ezine, report or whatever at a meeting?

Your offline friends aren't immune, either. Send them to your website. If you're interested in the same things, they'll probably join your list, too. They may not even realize that you write a gardening newsletter. If you're part of an offline group, maybe the moderator could announce your site at a meeting.

Whether they're online or off, anyone who is interested in your niche is part of your target audience. Always remember to keep list building. These are the people who will want to be on your list. Don't try to sell bread to people on a diet, right? Find the right people, and you'll not only build a big list, you'll build a responsive one.

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