In today’s high-speed digital world in 2025, growing and cultivating an audience is more vital than ever. And one of the best ways to do that? Create your own email newsletter — and the best news is, you don’t have to spend a single penny. If you’re a content creator, small business owner, freelancer, or just someone who is passionate about a subject, a newsletter allows you to establish deeper connections with your audience.
This is a step-by-step guide on how to begin a free newsletter online even if you’re a complete newbie.
Why Start a Newsletter?
A newsletter puts you directly in front of your audience’s inbox — no social media algorithms, no advertisements, no distraction. With a newsletter, you can:
- Build trust and loyalty
- Share updates, insights, or products
- Monetize your audience over time
- Promote affiliate products or services
- Drive traffic to your website or blog
Select a Free Email Marketing Platform
There are a lot of platforms that allow you to begin a newsletter without spending money. Here are some of the best free ones in 2025:
✅ Substack
Ideal for writers, bloggers, content creators
Easy interface with publishing features
Monetization option through paid subscriptions
No initial cost — Substack only takes a fee if you monetize
✅ MailerLite (Free Plan)
Maximum of 1,000 subscribers and 12,000 emails/month
Drag-and-drop editor, automation, landing pages
Excellent for marketers and beginners alike
✅ ConvertKit (Free Tier)
Up to 1,000 subscribers
Landing pages and email sequences
Excellent for creators and solopreneurs
✅ Beehiiv
Built by former Morning Brew team
Free plan has unlimited subscribers
Simple design, excellent for growing newsletters
Pick one depending on your goals — for writing-oriented newsletters, Substack is ideal. For additional marketing tools and design flexibility, use MailerLite or ConvertKit.
Step 2: Choose Your Niche and Goal
Before sending out your first email, be specific about:
Who your reader is
What you will share
What value your readers will receive
Here are some examples of newsletter niches:
- Freelancing advice
- AI and tech trends
- Productivity hacks
- Wellness and fitness
- Basic finance
- Motivational stories
- Niche memes or humor
The more specific, the better. Rather than “marketing tips,” use “social media strategies for solo entrepreneurs.” This enables you to develop a loyal subscriber list quicker.
Step 3: Build a Signup Form or Landing Page
After you choose a platform, build a signup form or landing page to gather email addresses. Most platforms have this very easy to do. Your form should contain:
A brief headline
A one-sentence sell (What value will they receive?)
A prominent call to action (e.g., “Join 1,000+ readers”)
Example:
Weekly Growth Hacks for Freelancers
Get 1 actionable tip every Monday to grow your freelance income.
[Join Free Newsletter]
Then, begin posting this form everywhere — your site, LinkedIn, Instagram bio, Facebook groups, even WhatsApp groups.
Step 4: Prepare and Draft Your First Emails
It’s time to write! Your first email (traditionally referred to as the “welcome email”) should:
Introduce yourself
Let readers know what they can expect
Thank them for subscribing
Add a personal anecdote or story
Next, prepare a regular sending routine — weekly, bi-weekly, or monthly. Consistency breeds trust.
Email Ideas:
Tips and tutorials
Personal anecdotes or case studies
Curated resources or links
Mini-manuals or how-to’s
Product picks
Keep it simple, useful, and human — not too sales-y.
Step 5: Grow Your Audience (For Free)
Following are free methods to grow your newsletter:
Include your signup link in your social bio
Create a lead magnet (free guide, checklist, or eBook)
Pen value-rich Twitter/LinkedIn threads with a CTA
Share in applicable Facebook or Reddit groups
Partner with fellow creators for shoutouts
Convert blog readers into subscribers with embedded forms
Growth is gradual, but with value and consistency, your list will grow naturally.
Step 6: Engage and Improve
Listen to your subscribers. Ask questions, invite feedback, and monitor open and click rates. Eventually:
Refine your subject lines (they affect open rates)
Appeal to emotions using storytelling
Experiment with polls, surveys, or reader Q&As
When your newsletter is popular enough, you can look into monetization strategies:
Affiliate marketing
Paid newsletter subscriptions (Substack/beehiiv)
Sell your own products or services
Sponsorship with brands
How to Start a Newsletter for Free Online
Launching a newsletter for free online is one of the best things you can do in 2025 — whether you’re building a personal brand, marketing a business, or creating a community. The tools are free, the hurdles are low, and the reward is immense.
Just begin. Write like human. Provide actual value. And observe your audience expand.
