The Newsletter Launch Checklist (Free PDF)

Everything to tick off before (and just after) you send your first newsletter issue, on one printable checklist. It's platform-neutral, cites official sources, and doesn't ask for your email.

What's inside

Choose a platform. What to decide first, how to price a platform at the list size you expect, and a quick table of free-plan limits for Kit, beehiiv, HubSpot, Mailchimp, and Substack, taken from their official pricing pages.
Set it up before your first send. Sending from your own domain, SPF/DKIM/DMARC authentication (with Google's current sender requirements), the CAN-SPAM footer basics, opt-in choices, and a welcome email.
Your first issues. A schedule you can keep, a repeatable format, subject lines, testing, and why clicks and replies tell you more than open rates.
Growth basics. Where to put your signup link, cross-promotion and referral features, list hygiene, and when to revisit your platform choice.

Who it's for

New newsletter writers, creators, and small businesses who want a short, practical list rather than a 50-page guide. If you're still comparing tools, our best newsletter platform for beginners comparison goes deeper, and Kit vs beehiiv covers the two most common picks for solo writers.

How this checklist was made

The checklist was researched and written with AI assistance, using vendors' official pricing pages and help docs plus Google's email sender guidelines and the FTC's CAN-SPAM compliance guide. It isn't based on hands-on testing of every platform, and it isn't legal advice. Prices and plan limits were last checked October 7, 2026 and change often, so confirm on each vendor's site before you sign up. The PDF lists its sources and, like this page, contains affiliate links to Kit, beehiiv, and HubSpot.

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