If you’re even remotely right into e-mail e-newsletters, you have actually possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something various concerning this platform, something that makes developers like you stop, breathe, and claim, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv CEO…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Trying to select the appropriate email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. But after nearly 10 years helpful people navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own newsletter, I finally took the plunge and offered Beehiiv a correct, genuine trial run.
And spoiler: I really did not just mess around. I moved every little thing over. Here’s why you might want to do the exact same.
Why I Dumped Substack and Why You May Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually got a clean interface and a loyal community of authors. But when it pertains to money making and target market possession, they drop the ball. Tough.
Let me simplify.
You Do not Own Your Target Market on Substack
You know that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It sounds amazing theoretically, right? Like, much more exposure, even more involvement?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “followers” aren’t real clients. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t get your e-mails in their inbox. You can’t call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever before choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re building a listing … that you do not have.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When someone subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can construct a real partnership. That’s how it must be.
The Hidden Price of Convenience
Currently let’s speak cash. Every single time a person spends for your e-newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 customer? You’re pocketing just over $6. Not terrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That additional cash money builds up quick, particularly if you’re intending to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to develop a company (also a side one), you require a system 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 setup. If you’re fretted that migrating your list or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … don’t be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: broken types, ghosted clients, styling headaches. Yet with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting valuable video clips, clear walkthroughs, and real support when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain name
One point that blew me away was domain name warming. Rather than simply throwing your e-mail domain right into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain using their own facilities. It’s smart. Like, actually clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No funky CSV concerns. No subscribers vanishing right into the void. Also linking my site was fine– fine, the styling took a bit of effort, however hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. However it’s good. Truly great.
You can drag, go down, design, and preview easily. If you’re refraining from doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll most likely love it. Intend to decrease in an ad block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly caution you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I have actually had magnificently created newsletters get cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I discovered a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size before sending out. It’s a bit hands-on, certain, once you master it, you’ll prevent the feared clipping issue.
Growing Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely beams.
It’s like they in fact want you to expand your target market. Surprising, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your present customers generate brand-new ones– and it really functions. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable references baked right into the system.
Want to run a giveaway? Offer a bonus 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 e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Money, Fewer Migraines
This was one of the biggest reasons I moved to Beehiiv, I wanted to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform charges. Tidy integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Integrated advertisement network that links you with real sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for getting website traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was currently gaining more than I ever did on my old platform and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: most newsletter devices do not care regarding your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They offer you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, modern homepage
- Archive pages for your past problems
- Personalized forms, branding and Beehiiv CEO
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for the majority of developers, it’s ample. And it just works. No unpleasant DNS configs or busted embeds. Just plug it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t simply get open and click rates. You get genuine understandings:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and optimize every step of your funnel, from form to open to buy. And that kind of presence? Invaluable when you’re attempting to grow purposefully.
What Beehiiv Could Enhance?
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got area to grow. Right here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit stiff. One type = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some shopping features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be faster on the weird side situations.
However right here’s the important things, Beehiiv in fact listens. I’ve currently seen updates turn out based on user responses, which’s an actually good indicator.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv CEO
If you’re a designer, writer, or indie author who desires:
- To grow your checklist quick,
- To maintain complete possession of your subscribers,
- To in fact generate income without platform charges,
- And to not battle with cumbersome email building contractors …
Then of course, you need to absolutely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want sophisticated CRM automations, maybe look somewhere else. But if you’re constructing a community, an individual brand, or an enthusiasm project?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV problems here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Simply the basic Stripe 3% cost. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for novices?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you have actually never established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Audience ownership, much better money making tools, no system charges, and a lot more list-growth options.
5. Can I use my very own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll also help you warm it up for far better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all native features.