If you’re also from another location into e-mail e-newsletters, you’ve most likely listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something various about this platform, something that makes makers like you stop, take a breath, and say, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Substack or Beehiiv…
I’ve been specifically where you are. Attempting to select the right e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. However after almost one decade of helping individuals navigate email marketing and two years running my own newsletter, I lastly started and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, genuine trial run.
And spoiler: I really did not simply dabble. I relocated whatever over. Right here’s why you could wish to do the exact same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re reputable. They’ve obtained a clean user interface and a faithful community of authors. However when it concerns monetization and target market possession, they falter. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Audience on Substack
You know that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It seems amazing theoretically, right? Like, a lot more visibility, more interaction?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “followers” aren’t real subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t get your e-mails in their inbox. You can not call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever make a decision to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re constructing a listing … that you don’t possess.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can develop a genuine partnership. That’s exactly how it should be.
The Hidden Expense of Ease
Currently let’s talk cash. Every time a person spends for your newsletter on Substack, you lose 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 customer? You’re taking just over $6. Not terrible … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system charges. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That added money adds up fast, specifically if you’re planning to grow or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to build a company (also a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating into your profits prior to you also start.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk arrangement. If you’re stressed that migrating your listing or establishing automations will certainly be a pain … don’t be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: damaged forms, ghosted subscribers, styling problems. Yet with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. Rather than just throwing your e-mail domain name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain using their very own framework. It’s clever. Like, really smart.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No funky CSV concerns. No clients going away into deep space. Also attaching my web site was great– all right, the styling took a bit of effort, yet hey, no platform’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t perfect. However it’s great. Truly great.
You can drag, go down, design, and sneak peek effortlessly. If you’re refraining anything also design-heavy, you’ll possibly enjoy it. Intend to drop in an ad block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Watch Out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always alert you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had wonderfully composed e-newsletters obtain sliced off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I found a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size before sending out. It’s a bit manual, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping concern.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Real Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they really want you to grow your target market. Shocking, ideal?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your current customers bring in new ones– and it really works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable references baked right into the system.
Wish to run a free gift? Deal a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of other newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: Even More Money, Less Frustrations
This was one of the greatest factors I moved to Beehiiv, I wanted to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform fees. Tidy integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Integrated ad network that links you with real sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for purchasing website traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was currently earning greater than I ever did on my old platform and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Web Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: a lot of e-newsletter tools don’t care about your landing page. However Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, contemporary homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous concerns
- Customized kinds, branding and Substack or Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for the majority of designers, it’s ample. And it just functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or busted embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You don’t simply get open and click rates. You obtain actual insights:.
Where subscribers came from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and optimize every step of your funnel, from type to open up to acquire. Which kind of visibility? Priceless when you’re trying to expand purposefully.
What Beehiiv Might Improve?
No platform is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got space to grow. Below’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit stiff. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be faster on the weird side instances.
But below’s things, Beehiiv in fact listens. I have actually currently seen updates present based upon user feedback, which’s a really good indicator.
All-time Low Line: Substack or Beehiiv
If you’re a developer, author, or indie author who wants:
- To grow your checklist quickly,
- To keep full ownership of your customers,
- To really make money without system penalties,
- And to not combat with confusing e-mail building contractors …
After that yes, you ought to absolutely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire advanced CRM automations, possibly look elsewhere. However if you’re developing a community, a personal brand, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
FAQs Regarding
1. Can I move my existing e-mail list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and completely supported. No CSV nightmares right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the conventional Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you’ve never established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Target market ownership, better monetization tools, no platform charges, and much more list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even assist you warm it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, references, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all indigenous features.