Having read countless articles, sought endless expert advice and heard numerous success stories about people building massive wealth on the Internet with opt-in lists, you finally decide it's time you had one of your own. You think you know everything there is to know about opt-in lists and follow all the advice to the Tee. Yet you still haven't made a dime.

You may in fact, be losing money. Maybe you hired writers to help out with your articles, or you blew hundreds of dollars in fruitless advertising. Perhaps you even got as far as building a big list, only to find that a tiny percentage actually converts to sales.

Either way, you've failed to make any profit, and after a few months' daily scrutiny of your statistics and sales figures, you come to the conclusion that your dreams of Internet wealthbuilding lie in ruins.

So what could have gone wrong? Why have others succeeded where you have failed? "Perhaps I was too hasty, diving straight in like that," you tell yourself. "Or maybe I chose a product I thought would do well, but as it turns out, I was wrong. I failed."

Sound familiar?

But before you get any more disheartened, listen to this piece of advice:

DON'T GIVE UP!

Just because you emailed people on your list does not mean they'll buy instantly.

Or, put it another way, HAVE PATIENCE!

And, if you've already started an opt-in list and think you failed, I strongly urge you to follow the following advice, too. Same thing applies if you're just starting out. The advice comes in the form of three quick and easy steps:

1) Make sure your product or service is one that people really need.

And get to know your product.

Too many people forget this. How can you expect your subscribers to buy something you haven't bothered to research or learn about thoroughly? Your knowledge and belief - or lack of it - is passed on to your customers. Invest some time and effort to research your product properly.

The truth is, the money will only come pouring in once your customers and subscribers begin to trust you. They want a product or service that gives good value for their money. They're not going to buy something out of your recommendation if they don't believe in you. Be sure to believe in your product before marketing it.

2) Join forums. Providing expert advice and recommendations will build an aura of trust around you. You could then build a base around other forum users, inviting them to join your opt-in list. Friends make good customers. Let them see what you are offering by placing a link to your site on your forum post. They'll begin to believe in you and your products. Writing and submitting articles and posting blogs will further increase your credibility as well as building more potential subscribers and customers.

3) Find a mentor. Make friends with other opt-in list users (forums are an invaluable tool here, too). If you can find someone who has already launched a successful opt-in list, they will be able to tell you what to do and what not to do, because they have gone through it themselves. These are the people who can point out potential pitfalls and mistakes you must avoid.

Experience is the best teacher, and there is nothing like getting it first hand. Learn from the mistakes of others!

Building a profitable opt-in list doesn't happen overnight. It takes great preparation and effort. Opt-in lists have to be built from scratch and, once built, take some maintenance. Keep yours organized and manageable.

But use it to keep your subscribers happy and they'll be willing to buy from you time and time again. Build your list. Build massive Internet wealth!