1. Decide what people will get

Finish this sentence:

“I write a [weekly/fortnightly] email for [type of person] who wants to [outcome]. It includes [two or three useful things].”

Be specific. “One practical idea each week to help you find your first customers” gives someone a clearer reason to subscribe than “updates from me”.

2. Pick a simple tool

I use and recommend Mailchimp in my work at Spike. For a simple newsletter starting from zero, these are two other options worth considering:

  • SendFox: Free for up to 1,000 contacts and 3,000 email sends a month. Includes one hosted signup page, one form and one automation for your welcome email.
  • MailerLite: Another option with a visual email editor. Its free plan currently covers 250 subscribers and 2,500 monthly emails, with a landing page, signup forms and automations.

Both handle the basics in one place, without a separate website. My starting suggestion for this checklist is SendFox. Check the current plan limits before signing up.

3. Create one signup page

Keep it simple:

  • A headline explaining what readers will get.
  • A sentence about who it’s for and how often you’ll send.
  • An email field, with first name optional.
  • A clear button, such as “Send me the weekly ideas”.

You can offer a checklist or guide if you already have something useful. You don’t need to create one before starting.

4. Connect it to Instagram

Put the signup page link in your Instagram profile and give it a clear title, such as “Get my weekly ideas”.

  • Share a useful tip in a post or Reel and mention the newsletter.
  • Share the signup link using a Story link sticker.
  • Save the Story to a “Newsletter” Highlight.
  • Pin an introduction post explaining what readers will get.

Send people straight to the signup page.

5. Personally invite your first readers

Start with friends, family, colleagues and people you already talk to who might enjoy the subject. Something like:

“Hey [name], I’m starting a newsletter about [X, Y and Z]. I’m excited to share [specific benefit], and thought it might interest you. If you’d like to receive it, you can sign up here: [link].”

Make it personal. Let them choose to subscribe rather than adding their addresses yourself.

6. Set up a welcome email

Keep this short too:

Thanks for joining! Every [day/frequency], I’ll send you [promise].

Here’s something useful to get you started: [tip or link].

What’s your biggest question about [topic]? Hit reply and let me know.

[Your name]

In SendFox, connect an automation to the list collecting your signups and set the welcome email to send immediately. New accounts use a confirmation email, so readers need to confirm their subscription first.

Follow the platform’s sender verification steps, then test the whole process with your own email address before sharing the link. SendFox’s setup guide walks you through it.

7. Work towards 100, a few people at a time

  • Personally invite five relevant people a day.
  • Share a useful sample from each issue on Instagram.
  • Remind people what the next email will help them do.
  • Ask readers to forward an issue to one person who would enjoy it. Include your signup link so that person can join.
  • Share in relevant groups where invitations are welcome.
  • Send your first issue even if only a handful of people have joined.

Your first goal is ten interested readers. Then send them something worth receiving.

A few useful reads