Newsletter Launch Checklist

You've been thinking about starting a newsletter for months. Maybe years. You know it's the best way to build an audience and create recurring revenue. But every time you sit down to actually launch, you hit a wall. Which platform should you choose — Beehiiv, Substack, or ConvertKit? What do you even write about? How do you get those first 100 subscribers without spamming everyone you know? This skill is not a vague "just start writing" pep talk. It's a complete launch system with specific platform comparisons, a 30-day actionable timeline, and proven subscriber acquisition tactics that work for creators with zero existing audience. Unlike generic newsletter guides, this checklist does not let you delay launch until you "have more content ready." That anti-pattern keeps creators in perpetual preparation mode for years. The system assumes you launch with 5 pieces and 0 subscribers, then builds the acquisition engine around that reality. What you get: PLATFORM_COMPARISON.md — Beehiiv vs Substack vs ConvertKit with pricing, features, and best-use-case analysis. LAUNCH_TIMELINE.md — 30-day day-by-day action plan with specific tasks. SUBSCRIBER_TACTICS.md — 10+ tactics for your first 100 subscribers. WELCOME_SEQUENCE.md — email sequence template with proven open-rate optimizations. MONETIZATION_ROADMAP.md — when to start earning and how, based on list size.