How to Grow An Email List to 12K Subscribers

 

There’s no bigger flex in the online business world than having an audience that actually cares about what you send. Forget followers — your email list is where the real connection (and sales) happen.

Social platforms change, algorithms glitch, and sometimes entire apps disappear overnight. But your email list? That’s yours. 100%. No one can take it away.

Here’s the deal:
An email list isn’t just about numbers. It’s about building trust with real people who want to hear from you. It’s the difference between hoping someone sees your post and knowing they’ll see your next offer.

So, let’s talk growth — not in that “spam everyone and cross your fingers” kind of way, but in a smart, human, and repeatable way.
If your goal is to hit 12K subscribers this year, that’s just 34 people a day. Totally doable.

Just imagine the ripple effect…
If only 5% of your 12,000 subscribers buy your $199 course — that’s over $119K in revenue. (Yep, from emails.)

This post will walk you through exactly how to:
✅ Get clear on who your subscribers are
✅ Create content that converts skimmers into subscribers
✅ Build a freebie that actually works
✅ Promote it without feeling like a spam bot

Oh — and I’ll show you how I used Ivory Mix templates to make the whole thing faster, prettier, and easier to keep consistent.

But first,

Step 1 — Know Exactly Who You’re Talking To

If you try to talk to everyone, your message lands with no one.
That’s why the first step in growing your list is knowing exactly who your ideal subscriber is — and what they need from you.

Here’s how I like to start:
I write a simple Transformation Statement — one sentence that defines who I help, how I help them, and what changes for them as a result.

It looks like this:

“I help [WHO] do [WHAT] so they can [RESULT].”

For example:

“I help creative entrepreneurs simplify content marketing so they can show up consistently and actually enjoy it.”

Once you write your own, test it.
Every time you create a post, product, or freebie, ask:
👉 “Does this connect back to my transformation statement?”
If not — it’s probably not what your audience needs most right now.

This step seems simple, but it’s the foundation of everything that follows. The clearer you are about who you’re serving, the easier it becomes to create freebies and content that make people say “Omg, this is exactly what I needed.”

Step 2 — Publish Content That Helps (Not Just Fills Space)

Here’s the truth: posting random content isn’t the same as publishing content that actually grows your list.
Your goal is to create posts, blogs, and videos that make people think, “I need more of this,” and immediately look for your freebie link.

Start with this simple mindset shift:

• Talk to who they are right now — their struggles, questions, and habits.
• Show them who they want to become — and how your content bridges that gap.

When you do that consistently, you’re not just showing up online… you’re guiding transformation.

How to find topics your audience cares about in 2025:

🔍 Google it.
Type what your ideal audience would ask — like “how to stay consistent with marketing.”
Then check the “People also ask” box for instant topic ideas.

📌 Search Pinterest.
Look for pins that speak to your niche and check the “More like this” section. You’ll spot patterns, gaps, and inspiration for fresh lead magnet angles.

💬 Social listening.
Read comment sections, Reddit threads, and Facebook groups. Screenshot real questions. Those are gold.

Pro tip:
Use Ivory Mix caption kits to turn your best-performing posts into lead-magnet-ready calls to action. Each caption pack already aligns with proven conversion angles (like this issue #69 shown below) — just plug in your topic and link your freebie.

 Step 3 — Turn Your Best Ideas Into a Series

One post = nice.
A full series = powerful.

When you group your content around a single transformation, you build trust and give people a reason to subscribe — because they want the next part.

Think of it like a mini binge-worthy show for your business. Each piece connects to the next, and your freebie becomes the “subscribe to watch more” button.

Here’s how to map your first series:

1. Pick a simple problem you can solve from start to finish.
2. Break it into 3–5 smaller lessons or steps.
3. Create a short email or opt-in to guide people through them.

Example Series: “How to Turn Your Followers Into Email Subscribers”

• Part 1: The mindset shift — why followers aren’t your audience
• Part 2: The missing piece — your irresistible freebie
• Part 3: How to connect your freebie to your offers
• Part 4: Mistakes most creators make when promoting
• Part 5: My favorite tools and templates

👉 You don’t have to finish every part before launching it. Create your intro post, your opt-in form, and a single follow-up email — then release the rest as you go.

Bonus tip:
Inside the Ivory Mix Membership, you’ll find Canva templates for multi-part content series (like this Lively Bundle below) — including blog post layouts, Instagram carousels, and promo graphics that make each “episode” easy to publish and link together.

Step 4 — Put Your Opt-In Everywhere (Seriously)

Your freebie won’t grow your list if no one knows it exists.
This is where most creators drop the ball — they make something amazing and then quietly link it once. Nope. You want that link everywhere your audience hangs out.

Here’s a quick checklist to cover your bases:

Social Media

• Add it to your Instagram link (Linktree, Later, or bio link).
• Pin it to the top of your Facebook page.
• Feature it on your Pinterest profile and repin regularly.
• Share it in Stories at least once a week — even if it’s just “ICYMI: this freebie is gold.”

Your Website

• Add a banner or bar at the top linking to your opt-in (MailMunch, ConvertKit, or HubSpot all have free versions).
• Create a slide-in box or popup for blog readers who scroll past 50%.
• Embed a sign-up form at the end of every blog post — right when readers are thinking, “Okay, what’s next?”

Inside Your Content
Don’t be afraid to drop your CTA mid-post, like this example

“By the way, I have a free [checklist/template/training] that walks you through this exact thing — grab it here.”

Pro tip:
VIP members inside Ivory Mix get ready-made Canva templates for Carousels, Page banners, Story promos, and Pinterest pins (including the stock photos too, like the ones released inside the membership below)— so you can keep your freebie visuals consistent and on-brand without spending hours designing new ones.

Step 5 — Create a Freebie Worth Talking About

Here’s the real secret: people don’t share okay freebies.
They share the ones that make them say, “Wait, this is free?”

That’s the power of the Rule of Reciprocity — when you give something genuinely valuable, people naturally want to give back. Sometimes that means sharing it. Sometimes it means buying from you later. Either way, you win.

So before you rush to create something, ask:
Would I personally trade my email for this?

If the answer isn’t an instant yes, go bigger.
Give away something that feels like it should have a price tag.

Here are some freebie types that still crush it :
✨ Done-for-you templates (saves time = instant value)
🧠 Mini systems or planners (show your process in action)
🎥 Short video or email training (connection + trust)
📋 Quick-win checklist or challenge (easy progress = dopamine hit)
🎁 Giveaway or quiz (fun + shareable = viral growth)

Ivory Mix tip:
If you’re a VIP member, you already have dozens of Canva templates for freebies — checklists, mini ebooks, and full course previews — inside the library just like this ebook template shown below. Just drop in your content, change the colors, and it’s done.

Because remember:
Your freebie isn’t just a gift — it’s a gateway.
Every download is a potential customer who’s just said, “I trust you.”

Step 6 — Talk About Your Freebie Until You’re Sick of It

Then talk about it some more. 😉

Most people post their freebie once, see a few sign-ups, and move on.
But here’s the thing — your audience is constantly changing.
New followers show up every day, algorithms bury posts, and people miss things. So if you’re not repeating your message, you’re basically whispering into the void.

Promotion isn’t annoying when it’s helpful — it’s reminding the right people at the right time that you have something that makes their life easier.

Here are a few low-effort, high-impact ways to promote your freebie:

🎙️ Podcasts or guest features — mention it naturally in conversation.
✍️ Guest blogs — link it in your bio or as a bonus resource.
📱 Instagram Stories — show a behind-the-scenes look or quick tip from the freebie.
📹 YouTube videos — talk about what’s inside and link it in the description.
🎁 Collaborations — host a joint giveaway or live with another creator in your niche.
💌 Email list — yes, even your current subscribers! They’ll share it or forward it to friends.

Pro tip:
Inside the membership, you’ll find full sets of launch graphics and freebie promo templates to make this step basically effortless.

The Takeaway: Build the List, Build the Freedom

Here’s what I want you to remember — you don’t need a huge audience to make a huge impact.
You just need to nurture the people already raising their hands.

Every time you create a freebie, post a blog, or send an email, you’re building a bridge between your expertise and someone else’s “aha” moment. That’s what turns followers into subscribers… and subscribers into sales.

If you stick with this plan — identify your audience, create bingeable content, design an irresistible freebie, and promote it consistently — your list will grow.
And not just in numbers, but in connection, trust, and income.

and remember to..

Use Ivory Mix to Build It Faster

If you’re ready to skip the guesswork and create everything 10x faster — your freebies, your posts, your visuals — I’ve got you.

Inside the Ivory Mix Membership, you’ll find:
✨ Canva templates for every kind of lead magnet
📸 Stock photos and mockups to make your offers look pro
💬 Caption kits that turn followers into subscribers
🎓 Workshops that show you how to build your list (without burnout)

You don’t have to start from scratch — just start.
Join the Ivory Mix Membership (VIP or Elite) and get instant access to the templates and training that make visibility simple again.