How to Start a Newsletter in 2026: A Step-by-Step Guide

A plain guide for brand-new creators

Starting a newsletter sounds bigger than it is. You need something to say, a few people to say it to, and a tool that sends the emails. Everything else, you can learn as you go.

This guide walks through the steps in order, from picking a topic to sending your first issue. It finishes with a 30-day launch checklist.

A quick, honest note: Some links on this site may be affiliate links. If you sign up through one, we may earn a commission, at no extra cost to you. I’ve stuck to what each platform’s own pages say and tried to keep this fair.

A bit about me: I’ve been writing on and off for about three years, mostly for my jobs. Lately I’ve started thinking about writing for myself, and that’s what led me to newsletters. I’ve used Kit and beehiiv. My Kit days were a while back, so anything about Kit here comes from its current pages. My own newsletters are still growing, so this isn’t a success story. It’s a plain list of steps, with sources.

Step 1: Pick a topic and a reader

Before you think about tools, answer two questions:

• What will you write about? Pick something you can keep writing about for a year without running dry.
• Who is it for? Picture one person. “New gardeners with a small balcony” is easier to write for than “anyone who likes plants.”

A narrow topic feels limiting at first, but it makes every later step easier.

Step 2: Pick a name, a format and a schedule

Name. Keep it short and easy to say out loud. It can be your own name, or a name that hints at the topic.

Format. Decide what a typical issue looks like: one short essay, a list of links, a tip of the week, or a mix.

Schedule. Pick a rhythm you can actually keep. Weekly or every two weeks is a common starting point. It’s better to promise less and show up every time than to promise daily and stop after a month.

Sum it up in one line, like “A weekly email for new balcony gardeners.” You’ll reuse it on your signup page.

Step 3: Choose a platform

Several tools have free plans, so you can start without paying.

I’ve written separate comparisons if you want the details:

• Best free email marketing tools for beginners
• Kit vs beehiiv
• beehiiv vs Substack
• systeme.io vs Kit and a systeme.io review

Here are the two I know best:

• beehiiv has a free plan for up to 2,500 subscribers, with unlimited email sends, landing pages and its recommendation network beehiiv pricing. Automations start on its paid Lite plan, at $49/month billed yearly for 1,000 subscribers beehiiv pricing.
• Kit has a free plan for up to 10,000 subscribers Kit pricing. Automated email sequences, like a welcome series, need a paid plan Kit pricing.

If I were starting today, I’d pick beehiiv. I found it easy to set up, it has a lot of options, and it does a good job helping you promote your newsletter. But that’s my preference. If you expect a big list early, Kit’s free plan holds four times as many subscribers. And if you want to sell a course, the systeme.io articles above may suit you better.

Try beehiiv free

Step 4: Set up the basics

Once you’ve signed up, there are three things to set up before you tell anyone.

Your sender name and address

This is what shows in people’s inboxes. Use your name, your newsletter’s name, or both. Keep it the same every time so readers recognise you.

The FTC says your “From,” “To,” “Reply-To” and routing information “must be accurate and identify the person or business who initiated the message” FTC.

A welcome email

A welcome email goes out automatically when someone signs up. Use it to say hello, tell people what to expect, and when your next issue arrives.

On beehiiv, a single welcome email is available on every plan, including free. A multi-step welcome series needs a paid plan beehiiv help. On Kit, email sequences are on paid plans Kit help.

A signup form or page

People need somewhere to subscribe. Most tools give you a landing page or a form you can put on your website. beehiiv’s free plan includes landing pages beehiiv pricing. Kit’s free plan includes unlimited landing pages and forms Kit pricing.

Put your one-line description from Step 2 at the top. Say what people get, and how often.

Step 5: Know the legal and trust basics

I’m not a lawyer, and this isn’t legal advice. But two laws come up a lot for newsletter writers in North America, and both have plain-language official guides. Read them yourself, and check with a professional if you’re unsure.

CAN-SPAM (United States)

The FTC’s guide says the law covers “any electronic mail message the primary purpose of which is the commercial advertisement or promotion of a commercial product or service” FTC. Among its main requirements, the FTC lists:

• No false or misleading header information, and no deceptive subject lines.
• Your message “must include your valid physical postal address.” That can be a street address or a registered post office box or private mailbox.
• A clear way to opt out of future marketing email.
• Honour opt-out requests within 10 business days.

All of these points come from the FTC guide.

CASL (Canada)

Canada’s regulator, the CRTC, says that if you send a commercial electronic message, you need to “(1) obtain consent, (2) provide identification information, and (3) provide an unsubscribe mechanism” CRTC. A few more points from its FAQ:

• You can’t use a pre-checked box to get express consent. People have to take “a positive action” CRTC.
• If you work from home, you don’t need to give your home address. Another valid mailing address works, such as a P.O. Box CRTC.
• Unsubscribe links must work for at least 60 days after you send, and requests must be processed “no later than 10 business days” CRTC.
• CASL also applies to messages sent to people in Canada from other countries CRTC.

The Government of Canada also has a general CASL hub with compliance resources Government of Canada.

In practice, this points to a few simple habits: only email people who signed up, don’t use pre-checked boxes, include a mailing address, and keep the unsubscribe link working. Most newsletter tools add an unsubscribe link for you, but check your own setup.

Step 6: Write your first issue

Your first issue doesn’t need to be perfect. It needs to exist.

A simple outline:

1. A short hello. One or two lines on who you are and why you’re writing.
2. The main thing. One idea, tip or story that fits your topic.
3. One small ask. Reply with a question, or forward it to a friend.
4. What’s next. When the next issue arrives.

Before you hit send, email yourself a test, open it on your phone, and click every link. Read the subject line out loud and make sure it honestly matches what’s inside. The FTC says it has to.

Step 7: Grow your list

Start with people who already know you, and share your signup page wherever you show up online. Then look at what your platform offers.

Recommendation networks. These let newsletters suggest each other to new subscribers.

• On beehiiv, free recommendations are available on all plans, and paid recommendations are on Lite and Pro beehiiv recommendations.
• On Kit, Free Recommendations and Smart Recommendations are on every plan, including free Kit pricing.

Referral programs. These reward readers for bringing in friends.

• beehiiv has a referral program with rewards and milestones you set up beehiiv referral program.
• Kit’s newsletter referral system, through a free SparkLoop plan, is on its Pro plan only Kit pricing.

In my experience, beehiiv does a good job helping you promote a newsletter, which is a big part of why I’d choose it today. Kit’s free recommendations are a real option too.

Step 8: Think about earning, later

You don’t need to make money from day one. I haven’t started selling anything yet, and I don’t have a strong take on ads versus selling your own products. Here’s what the platforms document, so you know your options.

Ads and sponsorships.

• beehiiv’s Lite plan includes ad monetization beehiiv pricing.
• Kit offers newsletter sponsorships on its Creator and Pro plans Kit pricing.

Paid subscriptions.

• beehiiv’s paid subscriptions start on Lite. beehiiv says it takes 0% of your paid subscription and digital product revenue, minus Stripe’s fee of 2.9% + $0.30 per transaction beehiiv pricing.
• Kit lets you run paid newsletters on every plan, including free, with a transaction fee of 3.5% + 30¢ Kit pricing.

Paid recommendations. Kit lets you earn by recommending other creators on Creator and Pro, and its fee on those earnings is 23.5% Kit pricing.

Your own products. Kit lets you sell digital products on all plans at the same 3.5% + 30¢ Kit pricing. beehiiv’s digital products are on every plan beehiiv pricing.

If you’re in Canada and charging money, tax rules may apply. Check with an accountant or the CRA.

Your 30-day launch checklist

Days 1–3: Decide

• Write your one-line topic and reader.
• Pick a name, format and schedule.

Days 4–7: Set up

• Sign up for a free plan.
• Set your sender name and reply-to address.
• Add a mailing address to your footer.
• Write and turn on your welcome email.
• Build your signup page.

Days 8–14: Prepare

• Write your first issue and one backup issue.
• Send test emails to yourself, on desktop and phone.
• Check your unsubscribe link works.

Days 15–21: Launch

• Send your first issue, even if your list is tiny.
• Share your signup page with people you know and on your social accounts.

Days 22–30: Settle in

• Send your second issue on schedule.
• Look at your opens and replies. Note what people responded to.
• Turn on any recommendation tools your platform offers.

FAQ

Can I start a newsletter for free?

Yes. beehiiv’s free plan covers up to 2,500 subscribers beehiiv pricing, and Kit’s up to 10,000 Kit pricing. My free tools comparison covers more options.

Do I need a website?

No. A landing page from your newsletter tool is enough to start. beehiiv and Kit both include them on free plans beehiiv pricing, Kit pricing.

Do I need to put my home address in every email?

The FTC says a registered post office box or private mailbox can work FTC. Under CASL, the CRTC says you don’t need your home address if you give another valid mailing address CRTC. For your situation, check with a professional.

How often should I send?

As often as you can keep up. A steady schedule you keep beats an ambitious one you drop.

Can I add friends to my list without asking?

Be careful. Under CASL, consent is the first requirement for commercial messages CRTC. Asking people to sign up themselves is the simplest way to stay on the right side of things.

Final thoughts

Starting a newsletter is mostly about deciding and then showing up. Pick a topic and a reader, choose a free plan, set up your welcome email and signup page, follow the basic rules, and send your first issue.

You can change tools, formats and schedules later. The hardest part is the first send, so give yourself 30 days and get it done.

Platform features, prices and legal guidance checked November 2, 2026, on each official site. Prices are in US dollars and can change, so please double-check before you sign up.