Get ready to launch your email newsletter and send out your very first edition. Starting can feel intimidating—you want your experience to be more successful voyage than disaster. At Beehiiv, you already have access to top-tier newsletter tools; now, it’s just about knowing how to put them to use effectively.
These ten steps will help you Launch Your First Newsletter on Beehiiv, build a strong foundation and set your publication up for lasting success.
Clear skies and smooth sailing await.
10 steps to follow to Launch Your First Newsletter on Beehiiv
Step 1: Define Your Purpose
Why are you starting this newsletter? Whether it’s to generate subscriber revenue, promote a brand, or boost customer engagement, defining your purpose is essential.
Think about the model you’ll be working with. Is this an extension of your existing business or a stand-alone project? Do you want to drive website traffic, generate leads, or strengthen your relationship with existing customers?
Being clear on your “why” will shape your content strategy and give you a way to measure success. Every goal needs a tailored approach—clarity at the beginning saves confusion down the line.
Step 2: Get to Know Your Audience
To create content that truly connects, you need to understand who you’re writing for. This step isn’t just important at the start—it’s a continuous part of running a successful newsletter.
If you’re adding a newsletter to an existing business, you likely already have useful audience insights. But if you’re starting fresh, you’ll need to make some educated guesses. Who do you hope will subscribe? What type of content would be most valuable or interesting to them?
As your newsletter grows, Beehiiv’s built-in audience analytics tools will help you learn more. Pay attention to demographics, user behaviors, and engagement patterns. Use that data to tailor your content and continually improve how you serve your audience.
How Should You Introduce a Newsletter in an Email?
If you’re incorporating a newsletter into your current email marketing strategy, your existing email list is a great place to start. Let your subscribers know about this new addition—what kind of content they can expect, how often they’ll receive it, and why it’s worth their time. If your newsletter requires a separate subscription, include a clear and simple link to opt in.
Don’t overlook your personal network either. Share your new project with friends, family, and colleagues through your own email account. Just make sure you’re reaching out to people who would genuinely be interested and appreciate the update.
Step 3: Plan Your Content
What you include in your newsletter should align with your goals and resonate with your target readers. Whether you’re writing the content yourself or curating it from other sources, it needs to provide value and maintain your audience’s interest.
What should your first newsletter say?
Start by introducing yourself and your brand, then give readers a preview of what they can expect going forward.
Common types of content include updates from your industry, expert insights, or helpful information about your services and products. Think about the questions your audience is asking or the challenges they face—and how your newsletter can help.
Even the best email campaigns need to be more than just sales-driven. Content that focuses on the reader’s needs, rather than constant promotion, creates deeper engagement and trust.
If you’re unsure what to write about—whether it’s your first edition or your tenth—Beehiiv’s blog has some great resources to spark ideas, like:
- “News They Can Use: Content Inspiration for Your Email Newsletter”
- “10 Perennial Email Newsletter Content Ideas”
- “How To Get Started With Guest Writers for Your Email Newsletter”
That last suggestion is especially helpful—because remember, you don’t have to do it all alone.
Step 4: Design Your Newsletter
Great writing is important, but presentation matters too. A clean, attractive design enhances readability, keeps your audience engaged, and reinforces your brand identity. A well-designed layout helps guide your readers through the content and leaves a lasting impression.
Step 5: Write Your Content
Now it’s time to start writing. Focus on being clear, engaging, and easy to follow. Break up your content with subheadings and bullet points to help readers quickly scan and absorb the information.
Choose a tone that matches your brand and feels natural to you. You’ll be creating newsletters regularly, so it’s important that writing them feels enjoyable and authentic.
Step 6: Create an Attention-Grabbing Subject Line
Your subject line is what determines whether your email gets opened. Keep it short, interesting, and clear about what the reader can expect inside.
Beehiiv offers A/B testing for subject lines, which allows you to test multiple versions and see which performs best—letting your readers show you what works.
Step 7: Include a Clear Call to Action
Every newsletter should guide the reader toward a next step. Whether it’s visiting your website, checking out a new blog post, or making a purchase, your call to action should be easy to find and compelling.
Highlight your CTA visually—consider using a button or a contrasting color to make it stand out.
Step 8: Review Everything Carefully
Before hitting send, take time to thoroughly review your newsletter. Use this checklist to ensure everything is polished and ready:
- Proofread for any grammar or spelling issues
- Check that the content flows clearly and is easy to follow
- Make sure the tone fits your brand and audience
- Test every link to confirm they work and lead to the right place
- Verify that your email looks great on all devices and email platforms
- Ensure images are sharp, sized correctly, and relevant
- Fine-tune your subject line—keep it clear and engaging, and consider using preheader text for extra context
- Confirm your CTA is strong and easy to spot
- Add social share buttons so readers can help spread your content
- Make sure there’s an unsubscribe link (this is typically included by default in platforms like Beehiiv)
- Check that the design and branding are consistent with your other materials
- Send yourself (and maybe a colleague) a test email to spot anything you missed
Step 9: Schedule for the Best Timing
When you send your newsletter matters. Use Beehiiv’s scheduling tools to plan your delivery for when your readers are most active.
Once you’ve sent a few editions, check your analytics to find the most effective times for your specific audience. But even your first issue can benefit from strategy—experts often suggest mid-week and mid-morning as good starting points.
Step 10: Analyze the Results
After your newsletter goes out, take time to evaluate how it performed. Beehiiv provides detailed analytics on open rates, clicks, and more. Use this data to see what’s working, what can be improved, and where to take your content next. These insights help shape smarter, more effective newsletters going forward.
Conclusion: Ready to Launch Your Newsletter with Beehiiv?
If you’re serious about growing a newsletter—whether as a solo creator or a media business—Beehiiv offers everything you need to succeed. From powerful content creation tools and built-in growth features to referral systems and complete monetization control, it’s built specifically for newsletter publishers.
Whether you’re just getting started or scaling a growing audience, Beehiiv combines intuitive design with pro-level analytics and automation. It’s not just a platform—it’s a full publishing ecosystem that lets you focus on what matters most: creating content your audience loves.
Try Beehiiv for free today and see how easy it is to turn your newsletter idea into a thriving publication. Start Your Free Beehiiv Account.
Take the leap—your audience is waiting.