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Beginner ⏱ 30-45 min

Start a Newsletter

Launch your newsletter with built-in growth tools and monetization

Beehiiv
BeehiivNewsletter Platform
 ConvertKit
ConvertKitAlternative

What You'll Build

A branded newsletter with a subscribe page, welcome email sequence, and growth tools - ready for your first send.

Prerequisites

Architecture

Beehiiv handles everything: writing, sending, landing pages, subscriber management, analytics, and monetization. It's an all-in-one newsletter platform built by the Morning Brew team.

You (write in Beehiiv) → Beehiiv (sends & hosts) → Subscribers (email + web)

5 Steps

1Create your publication 2Set up your subscribe page 3Create a welcome email sequence 4Write and send your first newsletter 5Enable growth tools
1
Beehiiv

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.)
💡
Tip: Pick a publication name that works as both an email sender name and a brand. Keep it short and memorable.
2
Beehiiv

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
💡
Tip: Your subscribe page headline should answer: "What will I get and why should I care?" in one sentence.
3
Beehiiv

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
💡
Tip: Your welcome email gets the highest open rate of any email you'll ever send. Make it count - include your single best piece of content.
4
Beehiiv

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
💡
Tip: Don't wait for perfection. The best newsletters improve over time. Ship your first edition this week.
5
Beehiiv

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
Embed code (add to your site)
<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>
💡
Tip: The referral program is Beehiiv's secret weapon. Morning Brew grew to millions of subscribers using this exact mechanic.

🎉 You're Done!

A branded newsletter with a subscribe page, welcome email sequence, and growth tools - ready for your first send.

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Build a Landing Page Beginner · 30-45 min
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Automate Your Workflow Intermediate · 1-2 hours

Related Comparisons

Beehiiv vs Convertkit → Beehiiv vs Substack →

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