If you’re even remotely right into e-mail newsletters, you’ve possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply hype. There’s something different about this platform, something that makes developers like you quit, take a breath, and claim, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv 60 Day Free Trial…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Attempting to select the ideal e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. Yet after almost one decade of helping people navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter, I lastly took the plunge and gave Beehiiv an appropriate, genuine trial run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just dabble. I moved whatever over. Below’s why you could want to do the exact same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You Might Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually got a tidy interface and a dedicated community of authors. Yet when it involves money making and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It appears awesome theoretically, right? Like, more presence, even more involvement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “followers” aren’t actual customers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not obtain your e-mails in their inbox. You can not contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever before choose to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So primarily, you’re building a listing … that you do not possess.
Now compare that to Beehiiv and even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that email is your own. You can take it with you. You can build a real relationship. That’s exactly how it needs to be.
The Hidden Expense of Convenience
Currently let’s speak cash. Each time somebody 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 pocketing simply over $6. Not horrible … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system costs. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That additional money builds up quickly, particularly if you’re intending to expand or generate income from seriously.
And honestly, if you’re going to build a business (also a side one), you need a system that’s not eating into your profits before you even begin.
What It’s Really Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re worried that migrating your listing or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle prior to. You know the drill: broken forms, ghosted subscribers, styling problems. But with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting handy videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
Something that blew me away was domain warming. As opposed to simply throwing your e-mail domain name into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name using their very own framework. It’s clever. Like, truly wise.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No cool CSV issues. No clients disappearing right into the void. Also linking my web site was great– alright, the styling took a little elbow grease, but hey, no platform’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t perfect. But it’s good. Really excellent.
You can drag, drop, design, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re refraining from doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll most likely enjoy it. Want to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Watch Out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always caution you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I’ve had magnificently created e-newsletters obtain chopped off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
However I located a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML size before sending out. It’s a bit hands-on, certain, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll stay clear of the feared clipping issue.
Growing Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Genuine Tools
This is where Beehiiv absolutely beams.
It’s like they really desire you to expand your audience. Stunning, best?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your present clients generate brand-new ones– and it in fact functions. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable recommendations baked right into the platform.
Want to run a free gift? Offer a reward for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of various other newsletters’ audiences. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Cash, Fewer Frustrations
This was among the most significant factors I moved to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform costs. Tidy integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Integrated advertisement network that connects you with actual enrollers.
Adjustable paid memberships with complete control.
Boosts for buying website traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was already gaining more than I ever did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: a lot of e-newsletter devices uncommitted about your landing page. But Beehiiv? They offer you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A tidy, contemporary homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous issues
- Customized forms, branding and Beehiiv 60 Day Free Trial
It’s not a full-on CMS, but also for the majority of makers, it’s more than enough. And it simply functions. No messy DNS configs or damaged embeds. Just connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You don’t just obtain open and click rates. You obtain actual insights:.
Where clients originated from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and maximize every step of your funnel, from form to available to purchase. Which kind of exposure? Priceless when you’re attempting to grow intentionally.
What Beehiiv Might Improve?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained area to grow. Right here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a little bit stiff. One type = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss some shopping features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be quicker on the strange side situations.
Yet below’s the thing, Beehiiv really pays attention. I’ve currently seen updates present based upon customer feedback, and that’s a really excellent sign.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv 60 Day Free Trial
If you’re a maker, author, or indie author who wants:
- To grow your listing quickly,
- To maintain complete ownership of your subscribers,
- To really make money without system fines,
- And to not fight with confusing email contractors …
Then indeed, you must definitely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire innovative CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. However if you’re building a community, an individual brand, or a passion job?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
FAQs Concerning
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully supported. No CSV problems here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Simply the basic Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv good for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and very easy, even if you have actually never set up a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience possession, far better money making tools, no system charges, and more list-growth options.
5. Can I use my very own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even help you heat it up for far better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid memberships are all native features.