If you’re even from another location into e-mail newsletters, you’ve possibly heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something various concerning this platform, something that makes designers like you stop, breathe, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Arnold Schwarzenegger…
I’ve been specifically where you are. Trying to choose the best e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. Yet after nearly 10 years of helping people navigate email marketing and two years running my own newsletter, I lastly started and gave Beehiiv a correct, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And looter: I really did not simply dabble. I relocated every little thing over. Right here’s why you may wish to do the very same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They’ve got a tidy user interface and a devoted community of authors. However when it pertains to monetization and audience ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It appears great theoretically, right? Like, more visibility, more interaction?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t actual customers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your emails in their inbox. You can’t contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever before make a decision to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So primarily, you’re constructing a list … that you do not possess.
Now contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When someone subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can build an actual connection. That’s exactly how it needs to be.
The Hidden Cost of Ease
Now let’s talk cash. Whenever someone pays for your e-newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% straight off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 subscriber? You’re filching simply over $6. Not dreadful … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That extra cash money adds up quickly, especially if you’re preparing to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to build a service (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right 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 fretted that moving your list or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … don’t be.
I have actually done the whole ESP shuffle before. You understand the drill: busted forms, ghosted clients, styling headaches. However with Beehiiv, points went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking handy video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain
Something that blew me away was domain warming. Instead of simply tossing your email domain name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name using their own framework. It’s clever. Like, truly smart.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No funky CSV issues. No subscribers vanishing right into the void. Also connecting my site was great– fine, the designing took a little effort, but hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. But it’s great. Truly great.
You can drag, drop, design, and preview effortlessly. If you’re not doing anything too design-heavy, you’ll possibly like it. Intend to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Trimming Monster
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly warn you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had wonderfully created e-newsletters get chopped off mid-sentence. Not fun.
But I found a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML dimension prior to sending out. It’s a bit hand-operated, certain, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping issue.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Genuine Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely beams.
It’s like they in fact desire you to grow your audience. Stunning, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your present clients bring in new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Wish to run a giveaway? Offer a reward for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of other e-newsletters’ target markets. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: More Cash, Less Migraines
This was one of the most significant reasons I relocated to Beehiiv, I wanted to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system charges. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Built-in advertisement network that attaches you with genuine enrollers.
Customizable paid memberships with full control.
Boosts for purchasing traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was already earning greater than I ever did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Web Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: many newsletter tools don’t care about your landing page. However Beehiiv? They offer you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive pages for your previous issues
- Customized kinds, branding and Beehiiv Arnold Schwarzenegger
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for a lot of makers, it’s ample. And it simply functions. No messy DNS configs or broken embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t simply get open and click prices. You get genuine insights:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every action of your funnel, from type to open to acquire. And that sort of presence? Valuable when you’re attempting to grow purposefully.
What Beehiiv Could Improve?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained space to grow. Right here’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be faster on the unusual edge situations.
Yet here’s the thing, Beehiiv actually listens. I have actually currently seen updates roll out based on customer comments, which’s a really good indicator.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv Arnold Schwarzenegger
If you’re a designer, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your listing fast,
- To maintain full ownership of your clients,
- To actually generate income without system penalties,
- And to not battle with clunky e-mail builders …
Then yes, you ought to definitely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want innovative CRM automations, possibly look in other places. But if you’re constructing a community, an individual brand, or an enthusiasm job?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing email list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV problems right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Simply the conventional Stripe 3% charge. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv great for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and simple, even if you’ve never ever established a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv far better than Substack?
Target market ownership, far better monetization devices, no system charges, and much more list-growth options.
5. Can I use my own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also aid you warm it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all native features.