So, you finally realize that you really should be building a good opt-in list. You've read countless articles, sought expert advice, and have read many success stories of people creating a small fortune with opt-in lists. Finally, you reach the inevitable decision that you need to have one of your own. Then it happens.

You thought you knew everything there was to know about opt-in lists and have followed all the advice you have been given - yet you still weren't able to turn a profit.

Horror of horrors, you may even be losing money. Perhaps you are hiring writers to help you out, or have incurred some other expenses. If those expenses amount to more than the profit you generate, you will lose money.

Even if you have a big list, if only a very small percentage of that list actually buy from you, you're still losing out on potential profit. You'll realize that when, after a few months, you see your statistics and sales figures.

So what could possibly have gone wrong? Why have others succeeded where you have failed? How do they make it all seem so easy?

The most common mistake is that you dived straight right in. You selected a niche that you thought could be quite popular and would earn you money, but this just wasn't the case. Just because you write to your list members recommending a product or service doesn't automatically mean they are going to buy instantly.

If you are one of those who have started an opt-in list and failed, you can rejuvenate your failed venture. For those who are just starting out, here are three quick and easy ways to build a profitable opt-in list.

1) You must gain credibility and your list members' trust first. Just launching your opt-in list does not automatically make you an expert and a believable seller. You need to write many articles first before you start an opt-in list. Write about the topic you know and have used for your site. Go to the relevant forums first where you can gain knowledge about your prospective customers, their wants and needs, and make those your target.

Join forums from other sites as well. Provide expert advice and recommendations to the members of those forums. When you feel that people trust you enough, you will be able to start your own opt-in list. You can build a base as well with other forum users and ask them to join your list.

Your friends could be good customers. Put up a link to your site so that they can see what your business is all about.

The fact of the situation is that the money will only come in when the consumers and subscribers believe and trust in you. They want a product or service that could be a good exchange for their money. People are not going to buy something just because of your recommendation if they don't even know you.

2) You must find a product or service that people want and need. Although it may not be your forte, if you provide a service and product that you have researched and learned about, you can carry it on forward. Invest your time, effort and money into something that you could sell, that the buyers or subscribers of your opt-in list can genuinely use.

While it is true that your best course of action is to sell something that you have more than a passing interest in, there won't be many people who have the same interest as you if you decide to sell something that is not popular or profitable. Do your research well and you will see the profits come in.

3) Make friends with other opt-in list users. This can be extremely beneficial, especially if it is someone who has already launched products to a successful opt-in list. These are the people who have the experience in this venture, and experience is still the best teacher. While there are many articles available on the internet for you to learn from, there is nothing like getting a first hand account from someone you trust.

An experienced opt-in list user will be able to tell you what to do and what not to do, because they have gone through it themselves. While different situations occur for different people, the general concept can still be very helpful. There are many things to avoid and these people will be able to advise you well.

Building a profitable opt-in list doesn't just happen overnight. It takes hard work and time. Opt-in lists are built from scratch. As your list grows, you should also make sure you maintain the high quality of your list. Keep it organized and manageable. Get or hire help if you need to. Make sure that your subscribers are happy and satisfied, and they will be willing to buy from you.