=> Wise Way #1 - OFFER A FREEBIE

You have to give in order to get. If you want people to offer up their email address, you`re going to have to offer up an incentive. Nothing works better than something that`s complimentary (you spell that F-R-E-E). You can give away no-cost reports, books, software, or even sample pages of a book.

-Word to the Wise: Our Empowerism subscribers use complimentary subscriptions to our "Excellence Magazine" and ebook giveaways to grow their lists. Works like a charm.

=> Wise Way #2 - USE POP-UPS

Pop-ups are one of the most common methods you can use to capture email addresses and build your email list quickly and with ease. Simply construct a web page containing code for a form and set the page to open (pop up) when visitors ENTER OR EXIT your site.

Make sure the pop-up offer is something that`s valuable enough to motivate visitors to take time to give you their contact information. Your offer can be a complimentary report, download, or ebook that arrives instantly through your autoresponder to their email inbox when they give you their email.

-Word to the Wise: If you need a pop-up, you can pick one up F-R-E-E (there`s that word again) from Empowerism

-Son of Word to the Wise: "Instant" is a very powerful pop-up offer.

=> Wise Way #3 - USE POSTCARDS

If you have a mailing list that contains snail mail (street) addresses, convert it into an email list by sending out a postcard and inviting people to VISIT YOUR WEBSITE to receive a gift of some kind -- a report, a discount coupon, etc. Visitors don`t have to pay in order to receive their gifts, they simply need to enter an email address.

-A Word to the Wise from the U.S. Post Office: Postage is much less expensive for a postcard than a standard-size letter. (Not only are they economical, postcards are more likely to get your message across since the consumer doesn`t have to open an envelope.)

=> Wise Way #4 - SUBSCRIBER BOX ON EVERY PAGE

This is a clever trick that so many people overlook. Put a RESPONSE FORM ON EVERY PAGE of your website offering a newsletter or other freebie. This will increase the number of email addresses you capture exponentially.

Why? When search engines index the pages of your website, a visitor may come directly to a page other than your home page. If you only have a subscriber box on your home page, you`re missing the boat, not to mention the thousands of visitors who bypass your homepage.

-A Word to the Wise: If you don`t know how to create an opt-in form, no worries. Empowerism has a foolproof `build your own` tool made just for you!

=> Wise Way #5 - CONTESTS

Contests very often prove to be a good way to generate traffic and buzz for your business. Create a contest and put a form on your site or in a pop-up box. The entry "fee" is their email address.

-Word to the Wise: Not all the people who sign up for your contest are good prospects. Many are just contest "junkies" -- people who are only looking for freebies and have no intention of buying a product or service.

-Warning to the Wise: If your prizes are cash or large-ticket items, you should be sure to check with local agencies to make sure you`re not violating any contest laws.

=> Wise Way #6 - DISPLAY YOUR AUTORESPONDER ADDRESS

Most people give their website link when they place solo ads, ezine ads, or other marketing messages. To be one step ahead of the game in collecting email addresses, LIST YOUR AUTORESPONDER ADDRESS instead of your URL. This way you can capture email address and funnel them into your follow-up sales letters.

-Word to the Wise: Don`t have an autoresponder? Empowerism will give you one, provide you with signposts to others, and make sure you know exactly what to look for to find the "pick of the litter."

-Word from our "Sponsor": Autoresponders you can use are just one sample of the incredible resources you can depend on when you`re a member of the Empowerism family. Our tools, information, and especially the Empowerism RSVP -- Revenue Sharing Value Program -- are all designed to generate BIG bucks with LITTLE effort.

=> Wise Way #7 - JUST ASK

If you`re chatting with a prospect on the phone or a potential customer stops by your place of business, don`t be shy: ask for an email address or business card (which usually includes their email address).

Okay, you know what you want...you know what you need. It`s time for you to set your traps and CAPTURE THOSE EMAILS!