If you’ve been meaning to “start that newsletter” for your business or nonprofit but feel stuck on what to say or how to start, this one’s for you.

Mailchimp is one of our favorite tools for beginners because it’s easy to use, it grows with you, and it doesn’t make you feel like you need a marketing degree to hit send.

Here’s how to set yourself up for newsletter success (without overthinking it).

When you first sign into Mailchimp, it might feel like a lot. But you really only need to do three things to get started:

1. Add your name and email
2. Create a basic audience list
3. Design a simple email template you can reuse

Pro tip: Don’t worry about being fancy. A clean layout with your logo, a headline, and one message is more than enough to start.

Step 2: Decide What You Actually Want to Say

Here’s a secret: your newsletter doesn’t need to be long or frequent—it just needs to be useful and real.

A few beginner-friendly ideas:

• Share upcoming events or launches
• Answer a common client question
• Show a behind-the-scenes moment
• Highlight a partner or local resource
• Send a seasonal message (holidays, summer hours, etc.)

Even a one-paragraph email can build trust if it’s thoughtful and consistent.

Step 3: Set a Realistic Schedule

Forget the pressure to send weekly emails right out of the gate. Instead, ask:

• Can I commit to once a month?
• Can I prewrite 2–3 ideas to give myself a buffer?
• Can I repurpose Instagram posts or blog content?

Mailchimp lets you schedule ahead, so even if you’re a one-person team, you can make it feel like you’re everywhere at once.

Step 4: Use the Built-In Tools

Here’s a secret: your newsletter doesn’t need to be long or frequent—it just needs to be useful and real.

A few beginner-friendly ideas:

• Share upcoming events or launches
• Answer a common client question
• Show a behind-the-scenes moment
• Highlight a partner or local resource
• Send a seasonal message (holidays, summer hours, etc.)

Even a one-paragraph email can build trust if it’s thoughtful and consistent.

You can sign up for a free account and try it out risk-free. (We’ve used it for years, and it’s still a favorite.)

Get started with Mailchimp here
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Feeling stuck or overwhelmed?
We help nonprofits, small businesses, and creative teams get newsletters off the ground all the time.
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