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Do You Really Need 250 Subscribers Before You Launch Your Course?

If you’ve been told you need a certain number of email subscribers before you launch your course, this post might change everything.

Because if I had believed that advice when I started my online business, I may have never launched at all.

The Myth That Almost Stops New Course Creators

There’s a common piece of advice in the online business world:

“Wait until you have 250, 500, or even 1,000 subscribers before launching.”

The reasoning makes sense. A larger email list increases your odds of enrolling students. More subscribers means more potential buyers.

But here’s the problem.

If you are starting from zero, that number feels enormous.

And if you believe you need that number before you launch, you may delay momentum for months… or even years.

I didn’t wait. And I’m so glad I didn’t.

My Launch Built My List

When I launched my first course in 2020, I did not have:

• A large email list
•  A polished funnel
• A library of lead magnets
• A podcast or YouTube channel

In fact, I did not create my first PDF-style lead magnet until I was about 18 months into business.

My email list did not grow because I built a freebie. It grew because I launched something.

I hosted a free 5-Day Challenge.

Originally, it was called Banish Business Clutter. Later I renamed it Declutter Your Business Bootcamp.

Each time, I went live for four to five days in a row, solving a specific problem... disorganization and overwhelm in your digital business.

That challenge became my lead magnet. I ran it six times in the first two years. Each time, my audience grew.

Because when you create a live experience around a real pain point, you build both your email list and your revenue at the same time.

You Don’t Need a Ton of Lead Magnets

I see so many aspiring course creators stuck in this stage. They think they need a checklist, a guide, a quiz, or a fancy lead magnet funnel.

Lead magnets are helpful. But they are not required to start.

Why?

Because a workshop launch is a lead magnet. A challenge launch is a lead magnet. A free coaching series is a lead magnet.

When the topic solves a problem your audience is experiencing right now, it builds trust and grows your list naturally.

You don’t have to separate list building from launching. They can happen together.

Relationships Were Everything

There was one thing I had that allowed me to launch from nothing.

Relationships.

I had built connections through previous jobs, businesses, church, and community. When I hosted my free challenge, family and friends were willing to share it.

People I had invested in were willing to spread the word. Relationships meant everything.

So if you are thinking, “I don’t have a big audience,” ask yourself:

Do I have relationships?

Because if you have relationships, you can launch.

You do not need thousands of followers. You need people who trust you enough to share.

How I Grew From Zero to 400 Subscribers

Here are the steps I took when I was just getting started:

• I created a simple opt-in page for my free bootcamp.

• I wrote three simple blog posts, each inviting readers to join the challenge.

• I updated the cover images on my social platforms to promote the bootcamp.

• I created a Facebook event and personally invited people I believed would benefit.

• I shared in Facebook groups where it was allowed.

•  And I reached out directly and personally in emails, DMs, and audio messages.

I would say:

“I’m hosting a free Declutter Your Business Bootcamp. If this would benefit you, I’d love to have you. And if you know someone who could use this, feel free to pass it along.”

• No algorithms.

• No viral strategy.

• No waiting to be discovered.

Just connection and invitation.

Inside my challenge, I showed up live with practical, helpful content. I gave participants quick wins. I listened to their pain points. And on the final day, I invited them into my course.

That first launch took me from zero to 400 subscribers and 95 paying students. If I had waited until I hit 250 subscribers first, how long would that have taken?

Launching was the mechanism that built my list.

Increase Reach. Increase Relationships. Increase Revenue.

In those early days, my strategy was simple:

• Increase Reach.
• Increase Relationships.
• Increase Revenue.

Reach came from visibility and invitations.

Relationships came from serving people live.

Revenue came from inviting them into the next step.

When you wait to build a list before serving, you slow down momentum.

When you serve first and invite boldly, growth follows.

Download the Online Revenue Roadmap

Free lead magnets absolutely have their place. They can grow your list in powerful ways.

But don’t build what feels easy. Build what creates impact.

It wasn’t until people started asking about my process that I began creating guides and checklists.

One of those resources is My Online Revenue Roadmap... a simple visual PDF that shows the exact steps I followed to go from zero to my first 400 subscribers and first 95 students.

This free guide walks you through the practical actions I took to move from idea to launch to revenue.

You can access it here: https://launchwithlydia.com/juststart.

Because I don’t want you waiting.

Your launch can build your list.

Your service can build your audience.

Your relationships can build your momentum.

And that’s how purpose turns into impact.