Start a Newsletter

Create your publication

~5 min

Set up your Beehiiv account and configure your publication basics.

1. Sign up at beehiiv.com and create a new publication
2. Set your publication name, handle, and description
3. Upload your logo and set brand colors
4. Choose your default sending schedule (weekly, daily, etc.)

Set up your subscribe page

~10 min

Customize your landing page where people subscribe to your newsletter.

1. Go to Grow → Subscribe Page in Beehiiv
2. Customize the headline, description, and CTA button text
3. Add social proof if you have it (subscriber count, testimonials)
4. Preview the page on mobile and desktop
5. Optionally connect a custom domain for your subscribe page

Create a welcome email sequence

~15 min

Set up automated emails that go out when someone subscribes.

1. Go to Automations → New Automation
2. Create a "New Subscriber" trigger
3. Write your welcome email: introduce yourself, set expectations, link to your best content
4. Optionally add a second email 2-3 days later with your most popular posts
5. Activate the automation

Write and send your first newsletter

~20 min

Create your first newsletter post and send it (even if it's just to yourself).

1. Click "New Post" in Beehiiv
2. Write your first edition - keep it short (500-800 words) for the first one
3. Add a compelling subject line (aim for curiosity or clear value)
4. Preview in both desktop and mobile views
5. Send a test email to yourself first
6. Schedule or send immediately

Enable growth tools

~10 min

Turn on Beehiiv's built-in referral program and embed forms on your website.

1. Go to Grow → Referral Program and enable it
2. Set up milestone rewards (e.g., 3 referrals = bonus content)
3. Go to Grow → Embed and grab your embeddable subscribe form HTML
4. Add the embed code to your website, blog, or landing page
5. Share your subscribe link on social media

<iframe src="https://embeds.beehiiv.com/your-embed-id"
  data-test-id="beehiiv-embed"
  width="100%" height="320"
  frameborder="0" scrolling="no"
  style="border-radius:12px; margin:0 auto; max-width:480px;">
</iframe>