The Ultimate Guide to Launching a Newsletter

Introduction

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Step 1: Setting Up Your Newsletter

• What to Do: Pick a topic you’re passionate about and that has a clear audience. It could be anything from startup insights (like Tyler’s Big Desk Energy) to niche hobbies or professional expertise.
• Why It Matters: A well-defined niche attracts a targeted audience, making growth and monetization easier. Tyler chose to share his journey building Beehiiv, appealing to founders and startup enthusiasts.

• How to Start: Visit Beehiiv.com and sign up. Use promo code GREG30 for 30% off your first three months (as offered in the conversation).
• Why Beehiiv: It’s affordable, user-friendly, and packed with features to streamline your newsletter journey—no need for multiple tools.

• How to Do It: Use Beehiiv’s built-in website builder to create a customized landing page. Add a subscribe form, an archive of past issues, and a unique design that reflects your brand.
• Pro Tip: Tyler’s newsletter, Big Desk Energy, uses a quirky Windows 98 theme to stand out. Make your site memorable and tailored to your audience.

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Step 2: Growing Your Subscriber List

• What to Do: Add customizable popups and signup forms to your website. Tailor them by page or traffic source (e.g., Twitter vs. LinkedIn) to maximize conversions.
• Why It Works: Tyler noted that these “death by a thousand cuts” tactics boost conversion rates from 10% to 12% or higher, turning casual visitors into subscribers.

• How to Implement: Customize the post-subscription experience with Beehiiv’s signup flows. Include recommendation pages, surveys, or a thank-you note.
• Example: Tyler uses a flow with sponsored recommendations (via Boost) and a survey to collect subscriber data, enhancing both growth and engagement.

• What to Create: Offer valuable content—like a PDF, guide, or deck—that requires an email signup to access. Tyler shared his seed funding deck as a lead magnet, driving signups from Twitter and LinkedIn.
• Best Practice: Ensure the lead magnet aligns with your niche to attract the right audience.

• How to Set It Up: Use Beehiiv’s native referral system to reward subscribers for inviting others. Offer digital goods (e.g., a PDF) for one referral or discounts (e.g., $10 off merch) for three.
• Why It’s Effective: Tyler’s program has driven nearly 1,000 referrals—free, high-quality subscribers—without significant effort.

• What to Do: Gate some web content so only subscribers can access it. Promote it on social media with teasers like, “Read the full post here—subscribe now!”
• Impact: Tyler gates all his posts, converting curious visitors into subscribers by leveraging their interest in his content.

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Step 3: Engaging Your Audience

• How to Automate: Set up an automated email sequence in Beehiiv to greet new subscribers. Include an introduction, a call-to-action (e.g., follow a playlist), and a referral ask.
• Why It Works: Tyler’s welcome email builds trust and encourages immediate action, capitalizing on new subscribers’ attention.

• What to Collect: Use Beehiiv’s survey builder to gather data like demographics, interests, or goals. Tyler asks about roles (e.g., founder, freelancer) and skills (e.g., engineering, finance).
• Benefit: With a 30% response rate from 90,000 subscribers, Tyler tailors content and monetization based on audience insights.

• How to Approach It: Commit to a regular schedule—weekly, biweekly, or daily. Greg cited Seth Godin’s daily blog, noting that consistency trumps perfection.
• Mindset: Don’t fear subpar content; ship regularly to build momentum and trust over time.

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Step 4: Monetizing Your Newsletter

• How to Sell: Use Beehiiv’s sponsorship storefront to offer ad slots (e.g., $7,000 for a primary spot). Promote it on your site and newsletter.
• Example: Tyler’s storefront attracts advertisers targeting his 90,000 startup-focused readers, with a flat $10 transaction fee per booking.

• What It Is: Earn $2–$4 per subscriber by recommending other newsletters in your signup flow. Tyler makes thousands passively this way.
• How to Start: Join Beehiiv’s Boost Marketplace, apply to promote high-paying newsletters, and optimize based on performance.

• How to Set Up: Offer premium content or community access for $5–$20/month via Beehiiv’s subscription tools. No revenue cut—just Stripe fees.
• Success Stories: Users like Oliver Darcy aim for millions in subscription revenue, proving this model’s potential.

• What to Do: Promote products or services (e.g., Beehiiv’s 50% affiliate program) and earn commissions. Tyler suggests embedding affiliate links in content or referral rewards.
• Opportunity: Refer three people to Beehiiv with a custom promo code, and you could profit while growing your list.

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Step 5: Leveraging Beehiiv’s Features

• How It Works: Recommend other newsletters and get recommended back, driving organic growth. Tyler gains hundreds of free subscribers weekly this way.
• Action: Browse Beehiiv’s ecosystem and connect with similar creators.

• Examples: Automate welcome series, referral rewards, or survey follow-ups. Tyler’s lead magnet automation delivers a deck instantly upon signup.
• Benefit: Save time while delivering a seamless subscriber experience.

• What to Track: Monitor open rates, subscriber sources, and monetization performance. Use data to refine your strategy.
• Tyler’s Take: Understanding his audience (60% founders) shapes his content and ad pitches.

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Conclusion

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• Content Quality: Strive for value, but don’t let perfection stall you—consistency builds trust.
• Community Building: Reply to subscribers, host events, or create exclusive groups to deepen connections.
• Networking: Collaborate with other newsletter creators for cross-promotion and growth.