After you sign up and verify your email, HeyNews asks how you want to start. You can connect an existing newsletter or create a new one. Some offer links open checkout before setup. If you already saved your payment method through one of those links, continue with newsletter setup; you do not need another checkout.
Choose Connect my existing newsletter if you have past issues. Choose Create a new newsletter if you want HeyNews to design the format with you. The new-newsletter option shows the one-time $19 Format Fee before you choose it.
Setup opens on your newsletter. Connect it with a beehiiv or Kit account, a public archive address, an RSS address, or a CSV export of past issues. HeyNews will:
HeyNews doesn't ask setup questions. Connecting your newsletter is enough. For the usual signup path, this step comes before Trial checkout so HeyNews knows which past issues to learn from. If one source cannot be checked, choose another option.
HeyNews opens the Format Intake. You describe the newsletter you want to create, who will read it, what it should do for you, the sources you follow, and how the writing will be reviewed. Your answers are saved after each page, so you can return later. Review the answers before you continue to payment.
If you realize you already have a newsletter, choose I already have a newsletter to return to the connection path. See Create a newsletter with the Format Generator for the full setup, review, and billing flow.
When creating a new newsletter isn't available, setup opens straight on connecting your newsletter. HeyNews doesn't ask what kind of newsletter you publish or who it's for. If you don't have one to connect, choose No newsletter yet? Book a setup call to contact HeyNews Support.
After an existing newsletter source is saved, finish setup. If you still need to activate billing, HeyNews opens checkout. The usual signup starts a 14-day Trial; an offer marked No trial starts a paid subscription instead. If you already completed offer checkout, you continue without a second checkout. Once the source is saved and your subscription or Trial is active, HeyNews begins preparing your AI Writer.
On the Format Generator path, the separate Format Fee checkout saves your card. The Trial starts only after you approve your Newsletter Format. The app shows the exact terms before either checkout.