Newsletter Launch Checklist
Launching a newsletter is mostly setup you only get one chance to do right. This checklist walks you through positioning, ESP setup, email authentication, and the first send so your list grows on a clean, deliverable foundation.
Newsletter & EmailPDF5 sectionsfree, no paywall
What you get
- A pre-launch foundation checklist for positioning and platform
- A deliverability setup section so your emails reach the inbox
- A first-issue checklist so launch day runs without surprises
- A branded, print-ready PDF you can tick off step by step
How to use this template
- 1. Nail positioning first. Complete the foundation section before touching tools. A clear promise and audience makes every later decision obvious.
- 2. Set up authentication early. Configure SPF, DKIM, and DMARC at the start. These take time to verify and are the difference between inbox and spam.
- 3. Test before you send live. Run the pre-send tests (inbox preview, links, mobile view) using a personal address before the first real send.
- 4. Plan the first four issues. Don't launch with one issue and no runway. Have at least the next month planned so momentum survives launch week.
Still choosing the tool you will run this in? Compare two side by side, or read how each profile is built in our review methodology.
What's inside
2 of 5 sections shown; the remaining 3 come with the free download.
What is a newsletter launch checklist?
A newsletter launch checklist is the list of one-time jobs you work through before the first issue goes out: naming and positioning, choosing a platform, authenticating your sending domain, building a signup page, and testing a real send. Every item on it is something that hurts to fix after launch.
Use it in the week before you publish, whether you are starting from nothing or moving a list off a personal Gmail address. The domain records and the opt-in choice you make here quietly decide whether your first hundred issues reach the inbox at all.
Foundation
Decide what the newsletter is and who it's for before you set up any tools.
- Write a one-sentence promise: who it's for and what they get
- Pick a clear name and a memorable sending name (a person, not no-reply)
- Define your send frequency and day, and commit to it
3 more sections and the PDF are behind the free download.
Tools that help with this
The template does the thinking; these are the products creators run it in. The full software directory has the rest.
Beehiiv
Beehiiv is a newsletter platform built for growth, offering built-in referral programs, an ad network, an AI-powered website builder, and paid subscription tools with 0% transaction fees.
$0/mo
Substack
Substack is a newsletter platform that lets writers publish, grow an audience, and earn money through paid subscriptions, all without paying anything upfront.
$0/mo
Ghost
Ghost is an open-source publishing platform that combines a full website, blog, membership system, and email newsletter into one tool, with 0% platform fees on revenue.
$18/mo
Buttondown
Buttondown is a minimalist newsletter platform with a Markdown editor and paid subscriptions through Stripe, with zero revenue share.
$0/mo
Categories to browse: Newsletter Platforms.
Frequently asked questions
What is a newsletter launch checklist?
It is the set of one-time jobs you finish before your first send: positioning, platform, domain authentication, signup page, opt-in choice and a live inbox test. Working from a list stops you discovering a missing DNS record on launch morning.
What's the most important thing to set up before launching a newsletter?
Email authentication (SPF, DKIM, and DMARC) on a custom sending domain. Without it, even great content can land in spam. Set it up first because DNS changes take time to verify before your first send.
Should I use single or double opt-in at launch?
Double opt-in adds one confirmation step but keeps your list clean from the start: every subscriber is real and engaged, which protects your open rates and sender reputation. Single opt-in grows faster but invites typos and spam traps.
How many subscribers do I need before launching?
None. Send issue one to thirty people if thirty is who you have, then keep the cadence. Thirty engaged readers with four issues of runway behind them beats 3,000 cold contacts imported from somewhere else.
Can I launch on a free plan?
Yes, most platforms include a few thousand subscribers at no cost. The thing worth paying for early is a sending domain you own, so your reputation and your list come with you if you switch platforms later.