Jumpstart Your Email Newsletter Launch (Step-by-Step)

Patrick Bet-David, a successful entrepreneur and founder of Valuetainment, has a unique approach to starting a new business. 

Over the last seven years, he has built one of the most successful YouTube channels for entrepreneurs- Valuetainment.

Before he started his YouTube channel, he was an already successful entrepreneur in the insurance industry.

Several people have asked him what he would do if he should start again from 0. He always said that people should outwork and out-strategize their competition. 

In this blog post, we will share how you start an email newsletter using his advice. This quick start guide will walk you through the essential steps to get you started on the right foot.

Why You Should Start an Email Newsletter

In the ever-evolving digital communication landscape, email newsletters have become a potent tool for staying connected, building a community, and sharing valuable content.

With the power to engage directly with your audience, an email newsletter can be a game-changer for individuals, businesses, and organizations. 

One of the best pieces of advice Robert Greene gave to Ryan Holiday - author of more than 12 best-seller books- was to start with an email list and a newsletter. As Ryan has said over the years: "it is never late to start writing online and create an email list."

How to Start an Email Newsletter

1. Define Your Purpose and Audience

Before you begin crafting your email newsletter, it's crucial to define your purpose and target audience. 

Are you looking to share industry insights, personal stories, or exclusive offers? Identifying your newsletter's purpose will help shape your content strategy. 

The more unique and authentic you are, the more you can connect with your audience.

If you don't know what makes you unique, ask the following question to friends: "Why do you like to hang out with me?"

Similarly, understanding your audience's preferences, interests, and pain points will enable you to create content that resonates with them.

2. Choose a Platform

Patrick Bet-David recommends at least knowing a little about the game you are getting into. Know the best players and see how you can copy their strategies.  

Choosing the right platform to manage your email newsletter is essential. It can save you tons of time and help you set up all your newsletter with a few clicks.

Popular platforms like beehiiv, Mailchimp, and ConvertKit offer user-friendly interfaces and tools to help you create, send, and track your newsletters effectively. 

If you want to start with beehiiv, here is a complete walkthrough to set up your newsletter with a few clicks today

Pick a platform that aligns with your needs, budget, and technical comfort level. 

3. Build Your Email List

Your email list is the lifeblood of your newsletter. 

Start by collecting email addresses from your existing contacts, social media followers, website visitors, and networking events. 

To encourage sign-ups, offer something valuable in return, such as an exclusive e-book, a discount, or access to premium content. 

Ensure that your sign-up process is straightforward. With beehiiv forms, you are well covered.

4. Craft Engaging Content

Compelling content is the cornerstone of a successful email newsletter. However, a lot of people panic over the idea of perfection.

Think of writing as going to the gym. The more reps you do, the stronger you will get. Patrick recommends getting into the game as soon as you can, so you can figure out how to play it. You won’t learn the game from outside  

As your newsletter matures, you will discover more about your audience, their preferences, and how to address them in the right way. You can use beehiiv 3D analytics to measure every aspect of your audience. 

Your content should be informative, entertaining, and relevant to your audience. Consider including a mix of articles, tips, industry news, personal anecdotes, and even user-generated content. 

Your subscribers are dedicating their time to reading your newsletter, so providing real value in each email is essential. 

Whether through educational content, entertaining stories, or exclusive offers, consistently delivering value will keep your subscribers engaged and eager to receive your emails.

If you like to read, share ideas about the books you are reading. If you want to watch YouTube videos, curate their content. If you like art, include pictures of paintings that interest you. 

Use attention-grabbing subject lines to entice recipients to open your emails.

Final Thoughts

Starting an email newsletter might seem daunting at first. Still, with careful planning and consistent effort, it can become a valuable tool for connecting with your audience, sharing your expertise, and achieving your goals. 

Building a successful newsletter takes time, so stay patient and committed to providing value to your subscribers. 

As you refine your strategy and learn from your audience's feedback, your email newsletter can become an influential asset in your digital communication toolkit.

Sign up for beehiiv and send your first email newsletter today!