Alright, let’s be real—starting a newsletter sounds like one of those “easy wins” that every marketing guru and their goldfish raves about. “Just write an email, hit send, and build an empire!” they say. LOL. If only. Truth is, starting a newsletter is like starting a diet—you’re pumped on day one, but by week three you’re stress-eating stale content and wondering why nobody’s opening your emails. Sound familiar? Don’t worry. I’ve got you.
In this guide, I’ll walk you through how to start a newsletter the right way. No jargon. No fluff. Just real talk and actionable steps, from someone who’s learned the hard way (yes, I once sent a blank email to 500 people). Let’s do this.
Step 1: Know Your “Why” (Or You’ll Crash & Burn Fast)
Before you even pick a name, let alone a platform, ask yourself: Why the heck am I starting a newsletter?
Seriously—why?
- Is it to grow your personal brand?
- Sell your products or services?
- Build a community?
- Rant weekly about your dog’s conspiracy theories?
There’s no wrong answer. But having a crystal-clear purpose keeps you focused when the subscriber count flatlines and your motivation ghosts you. IMO, your “why” is your north star—it helps you write with purpose, stay consistent, and avoid sending out “Hey sorry I disappeared for 3 months” emails.
Pro tip: Your newsletter should solve a problem or deliver something valuable to the reader. Entertainment counts too. Think memes + insights = gold.
Step 2: Pick a Niche (A.K.A. Stop Trying to Please Everyone)
Trying to write a newsletter for “everyone” is like throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping it makes dinner. Spoiler: it won’t.
Pick a niche. Own it.
- Love productivity hacks? Be the go-to inbox guru.
- Obsessed with crypto? Talk blockchain and Web3 weekly.
- Into slow living and cottagecore? Spread calm vibes, not spam.
When you speak directly to a specific group, they listen. They open. They click. And they tell their friends.
Need ideas? Try these:
- Weekly deep-dives on weird internet trends (yes, that’s a thing)
- Bite-sized business tips for freelancers
- Honest takes on parenting, without the Pinterest-perfect BS
Bold choices win. Playing it safe just makes you forgettable.
Step 3: Choose the Right Email Platform (Don’t Overthink It)
Here’s where most people stall. They Google “best newsletter platform,” fall into a rabbit hole, and emerge 3 hours later with 20 tabs open and zero progress. Sound familiar?
Let me help you out. Here are 3 solid options that don’t require a PhD in email marketing:
- Substack – Best for writers, bloggers, and creators. Easy, minimal setup, great for growing an audience organically.
- ConvertKit – Perfect for creators with products or services. Solid automation, beautiful forms.
- MailerLite – Clean, simple, and affordable. Great if you’re starting small but want room to grow.
FYI: All of these have free plans. Test them. Pick the one that feels right. You can always switch later—don’t let this step become your excuse not to start.
Step 4: Create a Killer Signup Incentive (People Need a Reason)
Real talk—nobody’s giving up their email in 2025 just because your newsletter sounds “cool.” You need to bribe them. (Ethically, of course.)
Enter: the lead magnet.
Basically, it’s a juicy freebie in exchange for an email. Some ideas:
- A quick-start guide (like “7 Ways to Grow on Instagram”)
- A checklist or cheat sheet
- A mini email course
- A private podcast episode or video
Make it super relevant to your newsletter’s theme. For example, don’t offer a keto recipe PDF if your newsletter’s about productivity. That’s weird. And confusing.
Bold takeaway: If your freebie feels like something you’d actually pay for, you’re doing it right.
Step 5: Design a Simple, Sexy Signup Page
No, you don’t need to hire a designer. You just need a page that:
- Tells people what they’re signing up for
- Explains what they’ll get
- Has ONE clear call-to-action
Here’s a simple formula that works:
“Join [Newsletter Name], a [weekly/biweekly/etc.] email where I [what you do] to help you [what they’ll get]. Plus, get my free [lead magnet name]!”
Then slap a sign-up form below it. Boom. Done.
Also…don’t forget mobile optimization. Over half your traffic will come from phones. If your form’s janky on mobile, say goodbye to subscribers.
Step 6: Plan Your Content (So You Don’t Panic Every Week)
Okay, so you’ve got a platform, a niche, a killer opt-in, and people are signing up. Now what?
You write. Consistently. Without going full meltdown mode every Sunday night.
Here’s how I avoid the “I-have-nothing-to-send” spiral:
- Pick a format. Will it be long-form essays? Curated links? Behind-the-scenes updates? Pick a structure and stick to it (mostly).
- Batch your ideas. I keep a running list in Notion. Every time I think “that’d be a good newsletter topic,” I write it down.
- Create a simple schedule. For example:
- Week 1: Educational tip or tutorial
- Week 2: Story + lesson learned
- Week 3: Curated resources
- Week 4: Promo or CTA
And yes—you can repeat content themes. People crave familiarity. Nobody’s grading your originality here, professor.
Step 7: Nail the Subject Line (Or Nobody Opens Jack)
The subject line is the bouncer of your email. If it sucks, nobody’s getting in.
Here’s what works:
- Curiosity: “You’re making this email mistake ”
- Value: “5 tools that saved me 10 hours last week”
- Personal: “Quick question about your content…”
Avoid clickbait. No one likes feeling tricked. But DO aim for curiosity. Think: Would I open this?
Hot tip: Test your subject lines using free tools like CoSchedule’s Headline Analyzer. Just don’t overanalyze. You’ve got a newsletter to write.
Step 8: Send. Learn. Repeat. (AKA Don’t Ghost Your List)
Here’s the part that freaks people out: sending the actual emails.
Breathe. Hit send. Watch what happens.
Here’s how to improve over time:
- Track open rates. If people aren’t opening, tweak your subject lines.
- Watch click-throughs. See what links people love. Give ‘em more.
- Ask for replies. Literally write “Hit reply and let me know…” It boosts engagement and gives you real feedback.
You won’t nail it on week one. That’s fine. Just don’t ghost your subscribers. That’s how newsletters die—slowly, then all at once.
Step 9: Promote Like a Shameless Rock Star
If you build it, they won’t come—unless you promote it. Loudly. Proudly. Everywhere.
Places to promote your newsletter:
- Your social media bios
- Link in your TikTok/IG stories (yes, even once a week)
- Your email signature
- Guest posts, podcasts, or YouTube vids
- Reddit or Facebook groups (just don’t spam—nobody likes that guy)
Also, if you’ve got a blog, slap some inline opt-in forms and pop-ups where they make sense. Make subscribing a no-brainer.
And yes, you can (and should) ask your existing readers to share. Word-of-mouth is king.
Final Thoughts: Starting Is the Hardest Part—But It’s Worth It
Look, starting a newsletter feels scary at first. You’re basically shouting into the void and praying someone cares. But over time? You’ll build trust. You’ll build a tribe. And yeah, you’ll probably cringe at your first few emails. We all do. So what now?
✅ Pick your niche.
✅ Grab a platform.
✅ Create a sexy lead magnet.
✅ Start writing.
Remember: it doesn’t have to be perfect. It just has to be you.
One day, you’ll look back at that first messy email and think, “Dang… look how far I’ve come.” And if you accidentally send a blank one, hey—you’re in good company
Now go build that newsletter, friend. The inbox revolution awaits
P.S. Got any weird/funny newsletter names you’re brainstorming? I need to hear them. Drop me a message or tag me on socials. Let’s geek out together.