I’ve always believed that I’ve got something valuable to share through my writing. But just keeping my work in Google Docs or letting it sit on a blog wasn’t enough anymore.

So I took the leap. I started my own newsletter.

Please scratch that. Actually, I started two. Yep — one on Substack and the other on Beehiiv.

Crazy? Maybe.

Worth it? 1000% yes.

Image created by the author using Leonardo AI and Canva

Why Two Newsletters, Though?

Let me explain.

Both Substack and Beehiiv are robust platforms for launching a newsletter, but they each have unique features.

  • Substack is super simple to use and makes it easy to build a reader-supported community. It feels like blogging, but cooler.

Screenshot of jiujitsu-news’s substack created by the author

Beehiiv is a beast when it comes to growth tools — built-in referrals, clean design, and decent monetization opportunities.

Screenshot of Ben-Abdelhafid’s Beehiiv newsletter created by the author

So instead of picking one, I tried both.

And yes, I wear multiple hats.

If you’ve ever thought about starting your own little newsletter corner — whether to teach, inspire, build a brand, or just share your thoughts — this post is totally for you.

Let me walk you through what I’ve learned about building a newsletter so far.

Image created by the author using Leonardo AI and Canva

Pick Your Niche Like You Mean It.

Here’s the truth: content is everything.

If your writing doesn’t help, inspire, entertain, or teach something useful — people won’t stick around. But that doesn’t mean it has to be super complicated either.

You don’t have to be a genius or have life-changing advice every time. Sometimes, curating useful info or sharing your own thoughts in a clear, helpful way is exactly what people need.

Ask yourself, what do I love talking about that could also help someone else?

That’s your starting point. For me, it was Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu and the creative grind of writing online. So I leaned into those two.

Choose the Right Platform (It Matters More Than You Think)

Let’s be honest — building a newsletter isn’t something that blows up overnight. It takes time, effort, and more than a few moments of “Why am I doing this again?”

That’s why hosting your newsletter on the right platform from the beginning matters a lot.

Believe me, you don’t want to wake up one day and realize the tool you chose:

  • Is too expensive

  • Has awful analytics

  • Or worse… makes writing a chore

Here’s what I found:

  • Substack = Simple, community-focused, great if you want to charge subscribers later on.

  • Beehiiv = Sleek, scalable, built-in tools to help you grow faster and smarter.

Neither one is perfect, but both are publication-oriented and solid choices, especially if you’re just starting out.

Don’t Try to Be Perfect — Just Hit Send!

This part’s important.

When I sent my first email, I read it over like 10 times. I tweaked the headline, double-checked the punctuation, second-guessed my opening line…

But eventually, I realized: done is better than perfect.

You’re going to learn way more by sending your first 10 emails than you will by obsessing over your first draft for 10 days.

So please — write, edit a little, and just hit send. You’ll get better as you go.

Final Thoughts: Newsletters Are Your Personal Power Tool.

Starting a newsletter is more than just sending emails. It’s about creating your own little world. A space where your voice matters and your ideas live on your terms.

Whether you’re trying to grow a brand, build a business, or just become a better writer, a newsletter is one of the best tools out there.

And guess what? You can totally do this.

If you’re ready to start, check out Substack or Beehiiv (Get a 30-day Beehiiv trial + 20% OFF for 3 months; click this affiliate link). Pick the one that fits you best. Or do what I did and test both!

Whatever you choose, remember this:

  • You don’t need to be perfect.

  • You just need to start.

Your people are out there. They just haven’t read your first issue yet.

Do you plan to build a newsletter?

  • Yes.

  • Nope.

Drop a reply or comment—I’d love to hear it!

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