If you’re also from another location right into e-mail newsletters, you have actually possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply hype. There’s something different about this system, something that makes creators like you quit, take a breath, and claim, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Newsletter Operator Course…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Attempting to pick the ideal email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a couple of months. However after nearly 10 years of helping people navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my own newsletter, I ultimately started and offered Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just dabble. I moved whatever over. Below’s why you could intend to do the same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re reputable. They’ve obtained a tidy user interface and a faithful community of authors. However when it involves monetization and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Tough.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Own Your Audience on Substack
You recognize that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It appears great on paper, right? Like, extra visibility, even more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “fans” aren’t genuine subscribers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled yard. They don’t get your emails in their inbox. You can’t call them directly. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So primarily, you’re developing a checklist … that you don’t have.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When someone subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can construct a genuine connection. That’s just how it must be.
The Hidden Price of Convenience
Now let’s talk money. Every time a person spends for your e-newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 customer? You’re filching simply over $6. Not horrible … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the remainder. That extra money adds up quickly, specifically if you’re intending to grow or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to construct a business (even a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating into your profits before you also begin.
What It’s In Fact Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re fretted that moving your list or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … do not be.
I’ve done the entire ESP shuffle prior to. You recognize the drill: busted kinds, ghosted subscribers, styling problems. But with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking handy video clips, clear walkthroughs, and real support when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain
Something that blew me away was domain name warming. As opposed to simply tossing your email domain name right into the wild (and hoping you do not land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name utilizing their very own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, truly smart.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No fashionable CSV issues. No customers going away into deep space. Also connecting my site was great– all right, the styling took a bit of effort, yet hey, no platform’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t remarkable. However it’s great. Really good.
You can drag, drop, style, and sneak peek effortlessly. If you’re refraining anything also design-heavy, you’ll most likely love it. Wish to decrease in an ad block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Clipping Monster
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly caution you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had actually magnificently created e-newsletters get chopped off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I discovered a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size before sending out. It’s a bit hand-operated, sure, once you master it, you’ll avoid the feared clipping concern.
Growing Your List with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely radiates.
It resembles they actually want you to grow your target market. Stunning, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your existing customers bring in brand-new ones– and it really works. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Wish to run a free gift? Offer a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Money, Fewer Migraines
This was just one of the greatest reasons I moved to Beehiiv, I wanted to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Tidy integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Built-in advertisement network that links you with genuine sponsors.
Customizable paid subscriptions with full control.
Boosts for getting web traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was currently gaining greater than I ever before did on my old system and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: many newsletter devices do not care concerning your landing page. But Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past issues
- Personalized kinds, branding and Newsletter Operator Course
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for a lot of designers, it’s more than enough. And it just works. No messy DNS configs or damaged embeds. Just plug it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You don’t just get open and click prices. You get genuine insights:.
Where clients originated from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and enhance every action of your funnel, from kind to available to buy. And that type of visibility? Valuable when you’re trying to grow on purpose.
What Beehiiv Might Improve?
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got space to expand. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit stiff. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some tender loving care.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the odd side instances.
But here’s the thing, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually already seen updates turn out based on customer responses, which’s a truly good sign.
All-time Low Line: Newsletter Operator Course
If you’re a developer, author, or indie author who desires:
- To grow your checklist quick,
- To keep full possession of your customers,
- To in fact earn money without system fines,
- And to not fight with confusing e-mail contractors …
After that yes, you must absolutely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want innovative CRM automations, maybe look in other places. But if you’re constructing a community, an individual brand name, or an interest task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV headaches below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the standard Stripe 3% fee. The remainder is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you’ve never ever established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Target market ownership, far better money making devices, no system fees, and much more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even aid you heat it up for much better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all native features.