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I’ve been doing a lot of talking lately about building a list - I’ve been talking about it on Twitter, in the Powerful Entrepreneur Yahoo Group, in my newsletter, and here on the blog. I’m talking about it so much because it’s THAT important to your business to build a strong business nation - or list.

And, as you’ve probably heard by now, I’m offering a 3 week group coaching program starting next Wednesday. I’m on fire about this topic because really, in my opinion, a list is the foundational piece needed to build a thriving, income generating business - hands down it is the most important thing you can do for your business.

Yesterday, I had someone ask me: “What is the direct value of a list to my business - in other words, what is the return on investment of me spending time and money building my list?”

Great question.

And my answer is many faceted. But for the sake of brevity - I know you don’t have oodles of time to spend on my blog I’ll cover some of the biggies.

First, from an emotional and energetic stand-point, a list saves you struggle, frustration, stress, and angst in your business. How much energy do you spend stressing about money? How much energy do you invest in marketing tactics that don’t work? How much stress have you had around your business not growing?

A list enables you to grow your business without the struggle, the wasted energy, and the frustration. The reason goes back to the old tried and true marketing principal: People purchase from people they know, like and trust.

Having a strong business nation (list) allows people to get to know, like and trust you. And to determine that you are exactly what they need to help them with their challenges. It also allows you to build a community - to get to know the people who are interested in you. It’s a two way street.

The second way your list  provides great return on your investment - marketing ease. It is so much easier to conduct marketing activities to a group of people who already know you, already like you, and are pretty much ready to purchase from you.

90 to 95% of my income comes directly from my list. Yes - 90 to 95% A majority of my promotional effort goes toward people who already know me, already understand how I can help them, and already feel that I can provide a rock solid solution to the challenge they face.

From a monetary stand-point,  building a list is unbelievably time and cost effective. I get to do the marketing activities that I love (and nothing that I don’t love).

And, because of my list, my business is streamlined. I get to work as much as I want - my schedule is super flexible - which is good because I dance, hike, bike, I’m a wife - and oh I have a 6 year old. And, having a list also means I get to spend more time doing the things in my business that I love - creating products and services and working directly with my clients and program participants. I don’t have to be out there “pounding the pavement” or “drumming up business.” I’m creating deep relationships with the people in my business nation, I’m providing what they need, and we’re living happily in harmony together

So, what is the value of having a strong business nation? You tell me - what is all that worth to you?

The Build a Strong Business Nation List Building Class for Holistic and Creative Businesses starts next Wednesday. If you want to learn step-by-step how to create a strong business nation, without aggressive tactics, join us. It will do you good, and it will do your business good - and you’ll see growth, and movement in your business - I promise.