If you’re even from another location right into email e-newsletters, you’ve possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something various regarding this platform, something that makes creators like you stop, breathe, and claim, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Bright Leads Media Beehiiv…
I have actually been specifically where you are. Trying to select the appropriate e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. Yet after almost one decade of helping individuals navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own newsletter, I finally took the plunge and offered Beehiiv a proper, genuine test run.
And looter: I really did not just mess around. I moved everything over. Below’s why you may want to do the same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re reputable. They’ve got a tidy user interface and a faithful community of writers. Yet when it comes to monetization and audience ownership, they falter. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You know that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It seems trendy on paper, right? Like, much more exposure, even more involvement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “fans” aren’t actual clients. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can not contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever determine to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So primarily, you’re building a list … that you do not have.
Now contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can build a real connection. That’s just how it should be.
The Hidden Price of Convenience
Now let’s talk money. Every single time someone pays for your newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 client? You’re taking simply over $6. Not terrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the remainder. That added cash accumulates quickly, especially if you’re intending to grow or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to construct a service (even a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating into your earnings prior to you even start.
What It’s In Fact Like Getting Going on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re worried that migrating your list or establishing automations will be a discomfort … don’t be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: damaged forms, ghosted subscribers, styling nightmares. But with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking handy videos, clear walkthroughs, and actual support when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. Instead of simply throwing your e-mail domain name into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name using their own facilities. It’s clever. Like, actually clever.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No subscribers going away right into deep space. Also connecting my website was great– alright, the designing took a little elbow grease, yet hey, no platform’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s good. Actually great.
You can drag, drop, style, and sneak peek effortlessly. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably enjoy it. Want to decrease in an ad block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Watch Out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly advise you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I have actually had actually magnificently created newsletters get sliced off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
However I found a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML dimension before sending out. It’s a little bit hand-operated, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping concern.
Expanding Your List with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Real Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely beams.
It’s like they actually want you to grow your target market. Surprising, best?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your current subscribers bring in new ones– and it actually works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Intend to run a giveaway? Deal an incentive 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 newsletters’ target markets. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: Even More Cash, Fewer Headaches
This was one of the greatest reasons I moved to Beehiiv, I wished to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform fees. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Built-in advertisement network that links you with actual enrollers.
Customizable paid memberships with complete control.
Boosts for acquiring traffic or earning by promoting others.
3 months in, I was currently earning more than I ever did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: a lot of newsletter devices uncommitted about your landing page. But Beehiiv? They provide you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, contemporary homepage
- Archive web pages for your past issues
- Customized kinds, branding and Bright Leads Media Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but also for a lot of designers, it’s more than enough. And it simply functions. No messy DNS configs or broken embeds. Just plug it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not simply obtain open and click rates. You get real understandings:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much cash you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and enhance every action of your funnel, from type to available to purchase. Which sort of visibility? Priceless when you’re attempting to grow purposefully.
What Beehiiv Might Improve?
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained room to expand. Right here’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 out on some shopping features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the weird side situations.
However here’s the important things, Beehiiv in fact pays attention. I have actually currently seen updates turn out based upon user comments, which’s a truly great indicator.
The Bottom Line: Bright Leads Media Beehiiv
If you’re a designer, writer, or indie publisher who desires:
- To grow your listing quick,
- To maintain complete ownership of your customers,
- To really make money without platform charges,
- And to not battle with cumbersome e-mail contractors …
After that indeed, you ought to definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except every person. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want innovative CRM automations, perhaps look in other places. However if you’re developing a community, an individual brand, or an enthusiasm task?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
FAQs About
1. Can I move my existing e-mail listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and completely supported. No CSV problems right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Just the conventional Stripe 3% fee. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv good for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and easy, even if you’ve never set up a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv far better than Substack?
Target market ownership, much better money making devices, no system fees, and more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also aid you warm it up for much better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, ad networks and paid memberships are all native features.