Platform details checked on official pages on October 18, 2026.
Step 1: Define your promise
One sentence: "Every [week], I send [who] one [practical tip / story / breakdown] about [topic]." If you can't say it simply, readers won't understand why to join.
Step 2: Choose a platform
| If you mainly want to... | Consider |
|---|---|
| Write and maybe charge for subscriptions | Substack (free to publish; 10% of paid subscriptions) |
| Grow with referral and recommendation tools | beehiiv (free up to 2,500 subscribers) |
| Sell services, courses or coaching with automations | An email service such as AWeber, ActiveCampaign or GetResponse |
More in the newsletters hub.
Step 3: Set up before you launch
- A sign-up form or page with one clear promise
- A welcome email (template)
- Your postal address in the footer and an easy unsubscribe (FTC CAN-SPAM guide)
Step 4: Pick a schedule you can keep
Weekly is a good default. Write two or three issues ahead so a busy week doesn't break your streak.
Step 5: Promote it everywhere
Mention it at the first high point and the end of every video, and put the link in the first and last lines of your descriptions (how to get email subscribers from YouTube).
Example
Worked example: a newsletter launch plan
A personal trainer starts a newsletter in three weeks:
- Week 1: Writes her promise: "Every Monday, one 10-minute home workout for busy parents." Chooses a platform. Writes the welcome email.
- Week 2: Writes three issues ahead. Creates a simple sign-up page. Adds the link to her YouTube descriptions and social bios.
- Week 3: Announces it in a video ("Every Monday I send one 10-minute workout; link below"). Sends the first issue to everyone who joined.
From then on she writes one issue a week, always two weeks ahead.
An issue template you can copy
Subject: [the one result this issue gives] Opening line: the point, immediately. The main idea: 100–200 words, one tip, one story, or one answer. The link: your new video, a resource or an invitation. Sign-off: your first name and a question that invites replies.
How to choose a name
- Say who it's for or what they get: "The Busy Parent Workout," "Small Firm IT Notes."
- Avoid inside jokes that new readers won't understand.
- Check it's not already a well-known publication in your field.
Watch out
Common launch mistakes
- Waiting for a perfect design. Plain text emails often feel more personal and perform well.
- Launching with nothing written ahead. The first busy week breaks the streak.
- Importing contacts who never signed up. Only email people who asked to hear from you.
- No welcome email. The first message after sign-up is when attention is highest.
Launch checklist
- One-sentence promise
- Platform chosen and account set up
- Sign-up page and welcome email live
- Three issues written ahead
- Link in YouTube descriptions, website and bios
- First-issue date announced in a video
Dave’s take
A principle I keep coming back to
"Until you get them on your free newsletter, you don't own that audience." (Dave)
AI shortcut
How can AI speed this up?
AI tools and plans checked October 18, 2026. They change often, so confirm on each tool's own page. No affiliate links.
- Write your promise. Ask Claude: "Give me five one-sentence newsletter promises for [customer] about [topic]."
- Write three issues ahead. Paste three video transcripts and ask for 200-word issues.
- Welcome email. Ask ChatGPT to fill the welcome template linked above.
Tools mentioned:
- ChatGPT: free plan, Go ($8 a month in the US) and Plus ($20 a month).
- Claude: free plan, Pro at $20 a month.
- beehiiv: free up to 2,500 subscribers; paid plans add more tools; takes 0% of your subscription revenue.
- Substack: free to publish; keeps 10% of paid subscription revenue, plus Stripe fees.
AI is great for first drafts. Always edit the result so it sounds like you and is accurate for your business.
Key takeaways
- Define a clear promise: who it's for and what they get each issue.
- Choose a platform that fits how you'll make money.
- Set up a sign-up form, a welcome email and a schedule before launch.
- Promote it in every YouTube video and description.
