How to Start an Email Newsletter in 2024

Newsletters are having a moment.

Why? Because its quite possibly the best business model for anyone looking for a simple side hustle or low-cost online business.

A newsletter doesn’t require any upfront costs, technical expertise, or even a lot of time. And you can have one up in running in an hour.

Starting an email newsletter is a great way to connect with your audience and grow your brand. Here's a detailed yet simple guide to get you started:

Step 1: Choose Your Platform

Pick an email marketing platform that fits your needs. Popular options include: MailChimp, Substack, MailerLite, ConvertKit.

But I’m going to reccomend you go with the best email platform on the planet: Beehiiv. Its what runs the entire Sunday Money operation. Here’s 10 reasons why you should choose beehiiv:

1. The most user-friendly Interface

beehiiv is designed with simplicity in mind. The platform offers an intuitive interface that makes it easy for anyone to create and manage newsletters without a steep learning curve. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced marketer, you’ll find beehiiv easy to navigate.

2. Powerful Analytics

Understanding your audience and how they interact with your content is crucial. beehiiv provides detailed analytics that allow you to track open rates, click-through rates, and subscriber growth. This data helps you optimize your content and strategy to better meet your audience's needs.

3. Customization Options

With beehiiv, you have access to a wide range of customization options. From templates to color schemes, you can design your newsletter to match your brand’s aesthetic. This ensures your emails are not only professional but also visually appealing. Beehiiv recently purchased a killer new web building tool. I cant wait for this!

4. Automation Features

Automation is key to scaling your email marketing efforts. beehiiv offers robust automation features that let you set up drip campaigns, schedule emails, and segment your audience. This saves you time and ensures your subscribers receive timely and relevant content.

5. Monetization Tools

This one is my favorite. beehiiv makes it easy to monetize your newsletter with paid subscriptions, sponsored content, or sell products directly through your emails, beehiiv provides the tools to help you generate revenue. They even have a built in ad network where advertisers reach out to you!

6. Excellent Customer Support

Good customer support is essential for any tool you use regularly. beehiiv’s support team is responsive and helpful, providing quick solutions to any issues you might encounter. This ensures you can focus on creating great content without worrying about technical difficulties.

7. Community and Resources

beehiiv offers access to a community of other newsletter creators, along with resources and tutorials to help you succeed. Whether you need inspiration, advice, or technical tips, you’ll find valuable support within the beehiiv community.

8. Scalability

As your newsletter grows, beehiiv grows with you. The platform is designed to handle large subscriber lists and high email volumes without compromising performance. This makes it a great long-term solution for your email marketing needs.

9. Integration Capabilities

beehiiv integrates seamlessly with other tools and platforms you might be using, such as social media, e-commerce platforms, and CRM systems. This integration capability allows you to streamline your workflow and ensure all your tools work together effectively.

10. Competitive Pricing

Finally, beehiiv offers competitive pricing plans that cater to different needs and budgets. Whether you're just starting out or have a large subscriber base, you’ll find a plan that fits your requirements without breaking the bank.

Can you tell I LOVE beehiiv?

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Step 2: Define Your Niche

Decide on the main focus of your newsletter. This helps attract and retain subscribers who are interested in your specific content. Whether it's personal finance, entrepreneurship, or lifestyle tips, having a clear niche makes it easier to create relevant content. Ask yourself:

- What topics am I passionate about?

- What expertise can I share?

- What do my audience and I have in common?

Step 3: Create Compelling Content

Your content should be valuable and engaging. Share tips, stories, and insights that your audience will find useful. Keep it concise and to the point. Some content ideas include:

- How-to guides: Offer step-by-step instructions.

- Personal stories: Share your experiences and lessons learned.

- Curated content: Highlight interesting articles, tools, or resources.

Use a friendly, conversational tone to keep your readers engaged.

Step 4: Build Your Subscriber List

Promote your newsletter through social media, your website, and any other channels where your audience hangs out. Offer incentives like free resources, exclusive content, or discounts to encourage sign-ups. Here are some strategies:

- Social media: Share snippets of your newsletter content and include a sign-up link.

- Website pop-ups: Use pop-ups on your website to capture email addresses.

- Collaborations: Partner with other creators or brands to reach a wider audience.

Step 5: Design and Send

Use the templates provided by your email platform to design visually appealing newsletters. Make sure your emails are mobile-friendly since many people read emails on their phones. Consider these tips:

- Consistency: Use the same layout and colors to build brand recognition.

- Images: Include high-quality images to make your emails more attractive.

- Call-to-action: Always include a clear call-to-action, like “Read more” or “Sign up now.”

Schedule your emails at optimal times for your audience, typically mid-morning on weekdays.

Step 6: Analyze and Optimize

Use analytics to track open rates, click rates, and subscriber growth. Test different content, subject lines, and formats to see what works best. Here’s what to look for:

- Open rates: The percentage of subscribers who open your email.

- Click rates: The percentage of subscribers who click on links within your email.

- Subscriber growth: The rate at which your subscriber list is growing.

Continuously refine your strategy based on your data. A/B testing can be a great way to understand what resonates with your audience.

Step 7: Monetize

Monetizing a newsletter can be a lucrative way to generate income while providing value to your subscribers. Here are several strategies to consider:

1. Paid Subscriptions

Offer premium content that subscribers can access by paying a monthly or annual fee. This can include exclusive articles, in-depth reports, or special resources that are not available to free subscribers. Platforms like beehiiv make it easy to set up paid subscription models.

2. Sponsorships

Partner with brands to include sponsored content in your newsletter. This could be in the form of dedicated sponsored emails, sponsored sections within your regular emails, or subtle product placements. Ensure the sponsored content aligns with your audience’s interests to maintain trust and engagement.

3. Affiliate Marketing

Promote products or services from other companies and earn a commission on any sales generated through your referral links. Choose affiliate programs that are relevant to your audience. Be transparent about your affiliate partnerships to maintain credibility.

4. Digital Products

Create and sell your own digital products, such as eBooks, courses, templates, or printables. Use your newsletter to promote these products to your subscribers. Offering exclusive discounts to your subscribers can also encourage sales.

5. Consulting and Services

If you have expertise in a particular area, offer consulting services or one-on-one coaching to your subscribers. Use your newsletter to showcase your knowledge and attract potential clients. You can also promote webinars, workshops, or online courses.

6. Donations and Crowdfunding

Some newsletter publications just ask for a donation. Encourage your subscribers to support your work through donations or crowdfunding platforms like Patreon. Offer tiered membership levels with different perks, such as early access to content, exclusive updates, or personal shoutouts.

How much money can a newsletter make?

Your revenue is completely dependent upon the value you can provide your user and the amount of subscribers that read your publication.

One general formula that advertisers may use is CPM: cost per 1000 views. Most publications charge a CMP of $25-$50. That is $250-$500 per ad when viewed by 10,000 readers.

By exploring these monetization strategies, you can turn your newsletter into a profitable venture while continuing to deliver valuable content to your audience.

Starting an email newsletter is one of the best side hustles and ways to earn extra cash . Launching one from scratch can seem daunting, but with these steps, you'll be well on your way to building a loyal audience and sharing valuable content.

Reach out if you need any help!

*Not sponsored by beehiiv. Its simply the platform I use and love. Give them a try today 👇️