Hello!
I know when you are first getting started you really want to set obtainable goals and benchmarks of acceptable link building volumes - don't focus on this. Instead, focus on realistic timelines to launch exceptional content. Launching this content will make the link building exponentially easier, but NOT automatic. I'm not talking about just another blog post, top-XX list, or infographic here. I am talking about something that is so cool people will want to talk about it. If you are in a boring niche, think parallel niches. If you are in a narrow niche, think broader. For example, I am in the East TN travel niche, but my team recently created a cool digital asset for the whole country that had good success.
Once you build the content, you should also set realistic outreach goals. Don't reach out to TechCrunch, HuffPo, etc. unless it is the type of content they regularly post. Instead, look at who is linking to similar assets (use OSE, AHREFS, Majestic, etc.) and start there. Personalize pitches for each site and make the pitch as irresistible as possible. Depending on the asset type, it may be possible to involve some of the influential site owners/bloggers in creative process.
At the end of the day numbers and quality don't matter as much as creating high-quality, exceptional content on a regular basis. You will have some strike-outs, but you will also have some home-runs. The process for content creation and the promotion of that content is what you need to focus on not the number OR quality of the links (initially).