How to Start a Newsletter (Step-by-Step Guide)

Launch, Grow, and Monetize Your Audience—No Coding Required

Thinking about starting a newsletter but not sure where to begin?

You’re not alone, and the good news is, launching and growing a newsletter today is easier (and more rewarding) than ever.

In this guide, you’ll learn how to start a newsletter from scratch, pick the best platform, grow your audience, and turn your emails into a real business, no coding or huge budgets required.

What You'll Learn:

Why Start a Newsletter?

• Own Your Audience: Social media algorithms can bury your posts, but email lands directly in inboxes.

• High ROI: Email marketing can yield an average of $36 for every $1 spent, making it one of the most cost-effective channels.

• Scalable Income: Whether it’s ads, affiliates, or premium subscriptions, newsletters open multiple revenue streams.

• True Creative Control: A newsletter can be as casual or polished as you want—no elaborate video setups required.

If you need more convincing, check out our article on Why Start a Newsletter for real success stories (Morning Brew, Milk Road, etc.) and deeper insights.

Step 1: Choose the Right Platform

Many platforms exist—Substack, ConvertKit, Mailchimp—but Beehiiv stands out for creators who want serious monetization and growth features baked in.

Beehiiv vs. Substack (Quick Overview)

• Similarities: Both offer blogging + newsletter hosting, free plans, and built-in monetization.

• Differences:

  • Substack: Takes a 10% cut of membership revenue. It focuses on a minimalist interface, “one-stop” content ecosystem (podcasts, social features, mobile app).

  • Beehiiv: Offers better SEO, advanced customization, and robust growth tools (integrated referral program, Ad Network, “Boosts”).

  • Pricing: Substack’s 10% revenue share can be costly if you grow big. Beehiiv doesn’t take a cut from membership revenue and has plan tiers that scale with your newsletter.

Bottom Line:

• Beehiiv is ideal if you want to treat your newsletter like a business—with superior audience-growth, monetization, and design tools.

• Substack is fine for simple content publishing or hobbyists prioritizing an all-in-one ecosystem with minimal fuss.

Not sure which newsletter platform to choose?
Check out our deep dive on picking the right platform for you: Which Newsletter Platform Is Right for You

Exclusive Beehiiv Deal

*Get a 30-day free trial + 20% OFF for 3 months: here

Step 2: Set Goals & Define Your Audience

Before diving into templates and posts, clarify what you want from your newsletter:

1. Pick a Niche

   • Could be broad (daily business news) or hyper-specific (Keto bodybuilding tips).

   • Choose a topic you’re both passionate about and that has an interested audience.

2. Set Your Newsletter Frequency

   • Weekly is a common sweet spot. Some people do daily if they’re sharing quick news or deals; others do monthly for deep dives.

   • Consistency builds trust—pick a realistic cadence.

3. Identify Success Metrics

   • Growth Goals: e.g., “Reach 1,000 subscribers in 3 months.”

   • Engagement Goals: e.g., “Maintain a 40% open rate or 5% CTR.”

   • Monetization Goals: e.g., “Earn $500/month from ads by end of Q2.”

Step 3: Design & Brand Your Newsletter

One key to a high-performance newsletter is looking polished—even if you’re a solopreneur or newbie.

1. Landing Page

   • Beehiiv has a no-code editor to design a landing page that matches your brand.

   • Highlight your unique value: “Get weekly insider tips on AI marketing” or “Daily travel deals under $200.”

2. Newsletter Template

   • Choose between HTML (visually rich) or plain text (more personal) formats.

   • Beehiiv’s custom editor lets you tweak colors, fonts, and layouts without code.

3. Mobile Responsiveness

   • Over half of email opens happen on mobile. Make sure your layout, fonts, and images look good on a phone screen.

   • Always send a test email to yourself (or friends) on different email clients (Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo).

Design Tips

• Balance text with visuals.

• Make your primary CTA (button or link) stand out with a bright color or bold text.

• Stick to a consistent color scheme (2–3 main colors).

Step 4: Create & Publish Your First Post

Ready for the fun part—writing your first newsletter issue!

1. Outline Your Content

   • Hook: A compelling or curiosity-driven subject line (e.g., “3 Surprising Ways to Save on Flights This Week”).

   • Body: Provide value. Could be short tips, a personal story, curated links, or a deep dive.

   • CTA: “Reply with questions,” “Share with a friend,” or “Check out our sponsor.”

2. Use Beehiiv’s Editor

   • Drag-and-drop text, headings, images, and buttons.

   • Explore features like Referral Program, Ad Network, or Paywall Break if you plan to monetize soon.

3. Preview & Test

   • Beehiiv’s test feature shows how your email looks in browsers and inboxes.

   • Check for typos, broken links, or weird spacing. A clean final draft builds trust.

4. Schedule or Send Immediately

   • If you’ve promised a weekly cadence, schedule it for the same weekday/time.

   • Beehiiv handles the rest—domain warming, deliverability, and sending.

Step 5: Build & Segment Your Audience

Now that you’ve published, you need subscribers. Start with a lead capture form—Beehiiv’s built-in forms are easy to embed on your site or share as standalone pages.

1. Import Existing Contacts (Optional)

   • If you have a list from another platform, import them (with permission only) into Beehiiv.

   • Segment them based on interest or engagement for personalized sends.

2. Promote Everywhere

   • Social Media: Pin your signup link on Twitter/X, LinkedIn, or Instagram.

   • Collaborations: Do cross-promotions with similar newsletters; each of you endorses the other.

   • Referral Program: Offer an incentive (like a bonus guide or early access) if someone refers 1–3 new subscribers.

3. Segmenting

   • Tag subscribers by interest if they click certain links.

   • Send specialized content to your most engaged readers for higher open rates.

Step 6: Monetize Your Newsletter

Whether you have 500 or 50,000 subscribers, there are multiple ways to earn from your newsletter:

1. Beehiiv Ad Network

   • Plug in to get matched with sponsors. You earn money by placing ads in your newsletter.

   • Great for early-stage creators wanting easy ad integration.

2. Paid Subscriptions

   • Substack popularized this; Beehiiv supports it too. Offer exclusive content for a monthly or annual fee.

3. Affiliate Marketing

   • Recommend tools or products you love, earn a commission on each sale.

   • Great for niche newsletters where you can provide specific product reviews.

4. Digital Products or Services

   • Sell e-books, online courses, or consulting calls. Your subscribers already trust your expertise.

5. Sponsored Posts

   • Partner directly with brands to feature a product or service in your newsletter.

   • Often higher-paying than simple display ads, especially if you have a highly engaged audience.

Step 7: Scale with Automation & Analytics

Once you’re rolling, you’ll want to streamline your operations:

1. Automations & Sequences

   • Welcome Series: A short 2–3 email flow that orients new subscribers.

   • Drip Campaigns: Educational content over a set period, e.g., a “5-Day Challenge.”

   • Sales Funnels: If you’re promoting a higher-ticket item, walk subscribers through a multi-step pitch.

2. Analytics

   • Track open rates, CTR, unsubscribes, and conversion rates for paid offers.

   • Identify your best-performing subject lines and replicate the style.

   • Use A/B testing (Beehiiv has this built-in) to compare different versions of emails, times, or calls to action.

3. Optimize & Refine

   • Prune inactive subscribers every so often. A lean, engaged list can rank better in inboxes.

   • Poll your subscribers or ask for feedback occasionally. Engaged subscribers are more likely to stay loyal.

That’s the entire roadmap: from picking your niche and platform to designing, sending, growing, and monetizing. The best part? You can do it all on Beehiiv.

Ready to Build Your Newsletter Empire?

• Ready to launch? Get started with Beehiiv's free trial today — click here.

• Then come back and subscribe to GoLetter Insider for weekly tips on design, monetization, and exclusive success stories from top creators.

Remember

Your newsletter isn’t just a marketing channel—it can become a community of loyal fans and a profitable business if you nurture it right. Now’s the time to launch, experiment, and grow on your own terms.

Ready, Set, Grow!
— The GoLetter Team