My plan to get to 3,500 newsletter subs in 2025

In a recent email, I told you that I’m (eventually) going to replace my client income with info products & a few coaching students.

The dream state:

Wake up.
Write an email.
Sell one of said products.
Be done with work for the day.

Let’s face it: This is the dream for many of us.

A true freedom bidniz that’s highly profitable, allows for lots of free time, and work we genuinely enjoy.

However…

The prerequisite to ANY of this is…

A big &
strong list.

My list currently has 620-ish readers.

Not bad.

But not nearly enough to sustain my lifestyle entirely.

So for 2025, I’ve set myself the target of growing my list to 3,500 QUALITY newsletter subs.

Here’s my step-by-step plan for achieving this (feel free to copy):

1. Send 5 emails per week

Is this a list growth strategy per se? No. 

But it’s important nonetheless.

Here’s why: the quality of leads on your list is equally, if not more important than how many are on there. And sending more emails improves lead quality in 2 ways:

1. Bad leads will unsubscribe (because they can’t handle all this SPICYNESS)

2. You nurture the relationship with your readers

2. Giveaways and workshops

Giveaways are a mixed bag.

They do get a lot of email subs… but those subs tend to consist of mostly penniless freebie seekers. However, sometimes there’s gold hidden in the shit – my most loyal subs have often found me via giveaways.

And thus the plan: Every month I’ll either launch a free lead magnet or I’ll host a workshop.

Why workshops? 

I’ve found that they are a fantastic way of getting the finest quality leads on your list – leads that have already spent money with you.

3. Ramp up social media traffic

My traffic has been low these past few months.

I basically stopped engaging on Twitter for a solid 6 months. 

Peaceful times. 

But I’m afraid they’re over. 🥲

4. Experiment with content

I shied away from posting self-aggrandizing posts because it’s not my personality style. However, they (unfortunately) work the best in generating lots of attention.

And attention is the name of the game when it comes to list growth. You need new people to be exposed to your profile every day (hence point #3).

So the plan becomes:

• Post more social proof (I have a folder stacked with screenshots, testimonials, and social proof that I will slowly infuse into my content)

• More updates on my business progress (I’ll try to do this tastefully though – no bragging about my income or cringy shyt like that)

5. YouTube & Podcasts

Based on my own buying behavior, I’ve concluded that there are 1 of 2 things that need to happen before I buy a high-ticket product from someone:

1. I’ve chatted with them on a call

2. I’ve watched a video of them

Video content is powerful.

So this year, I’ve set myself the target of uploading 40 podcast episodes and 30 additional YouTube videos (to make it 1 vid/week).

On those YT vids: 

I plan to record content that has worked on Twitter just in a video format. Very simple.

==========

There are other factors like networking, brand positioning, or more miscellaneous strategies.

But this is the rough plan.

But as you hopefully know… a plan is all well and good. 

But it’s useless
without execution.

So if you want to follow along for the ride and not miss any of the lessons I learn along the way… keep on reading these emails.

Also, feel free to reply with any questions about list growth in your specific situation. I’d love to help ya out.

Talk soon,

Tim <3

P.S. This January, I’m taking on ONE 1-on-1 coaching client.

This is my program where I help freelancers/creators sign their next couple of clients. Because although our goal is to eventually sell info, client work is a necessary “pre-step” to doing this. You’re building a track record + you get to have a comfortable income to fall back on.

Okay… I’m still in the midst of outlining and refining the program itself.

But you can reserve a spot on my waiting list (including a hefty discount) by replying to this email with “coach”.

Let’s make 2025 your best year yet.