If you’re also from another location into email newsletters, you have actually possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something different regarding this system, something that makes designers like you quit, breathe, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Marketing Island Beehiiv…
I’ve been specifically where you are. Attempting to select the best email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. However after nearly 10 years of helping people navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter, I lastly started and offered Beehiiv an appropriate, genuine trial run.
And looter: I didn’t just dabble. I relocated everything over. Below’s why you could wish to do the exact same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t negative. They’re well-established. They’ve obtained a tidy interface and a loyal community of writers. Yet when it concerns money making and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It appears trendy theoretically, right? Like, extra presence, more involvement?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “followers” aren’t genuine clients. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t get your emails in their inbox. You can’t call them directly. And worst of all? If you ever decide to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re building a checklist … that you don’t possess.
Now contrast that to Beehiiv and even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can construct a genuine connection. That’s just how it needs to be.
The Hidden Price of Benefit
Currently let’s talk cash. Whenever a person spends for your e-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 filching simply over $6. Not dreadful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That additional money adds up quickly, especially if you’re planning to expand or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re going to develop a business (even a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating right into your profits before you even begin.
What It’s Really Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re stressed that migrating your list or establishing automations will be a pain … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: busted forms, ghosted clients, styling nightmares. Yet with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting useful videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain
One point that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of just throwing your email domain right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name using their own facilities. It’s clever. Like, truly clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No funky CSV issues. No customers disappearing into the void. Also attaching my internet site was fine– alright, the styling took a little bit of elbow grease, but hey, no platform’s best.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t remarkable. However it’s great. Actually good.
You can drag, go down, design, and preview effortlessly. If you’re not doing anything as well design-heavy, you’ll possibly love it. Wish to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always alert you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I have actually had beautifully composed e-newsletters get cut off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I located a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML size prior to sending. It’s a little bit hand-operated, sure, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreadful clipping issue.
Expanding Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely beams.
It’s like they really want you to expand your audience. Shocking, right?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your existing clients bring in brand-new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the platform.
Want to run a giveaway? Deal a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that simple.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: More Money, Less Frustrations
This was one of the greatest reasons I transferred to Beehiiv, I wished to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system charges. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that connects you with genuine enrollers.
Personalized paid subscriptions with full control.
Boosts for purchasing website traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was currently making more than I ever before did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: most e-newsletter tools uncommitted about your landing page. But Beehiiv? They provide you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, modern-day homepage
- Archive pages for your previous problems
- Custom forms, branding and Marketing Island Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but also for most makers, it’s more than enough. And it simply functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or broken embeds. Just connect it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not just get open and click prices. You get genuine understandings:.
Where customers originated from.
Which referral sources 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 purchase. Which type of exposure? Valuable when you’re attempting to grow deliberately.
What Beehiiv Could Enhance?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained area to grow. Below’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One form = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the strange side cases.
Yet right here’s things, Beehiiv really listens. I’ve currently seen updates present based on user responses, and that’s a really good indicator.
All-time Low Line: Marketing Island Beehiiv
If you’re a creator, writer, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your list quickly,
- To maintain full possession of your subscribers,
- To actually generate income without platform fines,
- And to not combat with cumbersome e-mail contractors …
After that of course, you must definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire advanced CRM automations, perhaps look in other places. But if you’re building a community, a personal brand name, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs Concerning
1. Can I migrate my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Simply the conventional Stripe 3% fee. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv good for novices?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you’ve never ever set up an e-newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market ownership, far better money making devices, no platform charges, and a lot more list-growth options.
5. Can I utilize my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll also help you warm it up for far better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated money making devices?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all indigenous features.