Even if you’ve only been in Internet Marketing for a short time, you’ve heard that it’s important to build an email list. It’s so important, that the Affiliate Classroom Step Program teaches you all about list building in Step 9.

However, with ISPs/ESPs now doing more spam blocking, some people have given up on list building. They are fearful or frustrated that their message is not going out, and that they are wasting their valuable time.

If you’re one of these people, stop being afraid and keep building! Email technology is getting better, and this problem is gradually being addressed. If you are building a list the reputable way, using a double opt-in system, you have a lot less to worry about.

In the meantime, here are some things you can do to up the odds of getting your messages delivered. At the same time, you can increase the traffic to your site.

Make sure to send your list a message at least once every two weeks so they remember who you are. They’ll be more likely to open your email. And, make it a short message. People tend to scan emails for material they are interested in, so give them very little to scan.

Write a short line of teaser copy or give a sentence or two of your content, and then make the reader click to your site to read the rest. At your site you will provide the full Monty: contextual advertising, affiliate links, etc.

When I go through my email, I quickly scan the messages. If it is a sales pitch, and I’m not in the buying mood, I will go on to the next message and look for something more interesting.

However, if there is a small bit of copy that intrigues me, I will click on the link and read the article. Also, if I’m just quickly scanning my emails for cleanup, I am more likely to flag these emails and go back to them when I have more time.

I’m not sure why, but I feel more comfortable and less hurried when I get to a web site. Maybe because it’s easier to read, or more colorful, or whatever.

Whatever the reason, I’m more likely to stay there longer, which means the person who sent the email has been successful in his or her mission.

I went to their web site � which means their traffic count just went up. I visited with the intention of reading the content, which means their “stickiness” rate went up.

If all goes well, I’ll buy something while I’m there, or click on an AdSense ad on my way out.

Either way, the list owner will get what they want, by giving me what I want. That’s called a win-win situation.