If you’re even remotely into e-mail e-newsletters, you’ve most likely heard the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something various concerning this platform, something that makes makers like you quit, take a breath, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Design Lab…
I’ve been specifically where you are. Trying to select the ideal email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a couple of months. However after nearly 10 years helpful people browse e-mail marketing and 2 years running my own e-newsletter, I finally started and gave Beehiiv an appropriate, genuine test run.
And looter: I really did not just dabble. I relocated everything over. Right here’s why you could wish 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 reputable. They’ve got a tidy interface and a devoted community of authors. Yet when it comes to monetization and audience ownership, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You recognize that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It seems cool on paper, right? Like, a lot more visibility, more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “fans” aren’t actual subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can’t contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever determine to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So essentially, you’re constructing a listing … that you do not own.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that email is your own. You can take it with you. You can construct an actual partnership. That’s just how it must be.
The Hidden Price of Benefit
Now let’s talk money. Every time a person 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 customer? You’re swiping just over $6. Not terrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That added cash adds up quickly, specifically if you’re preparing to expand or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to build a company (even a side one), you require a system that’s not eating into your profits prior to you even begin.
What It’s Really Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk arrangement. If you’re fretted that migrating your checklist or establishing automations will certainly be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the entire ESP shuffle before. You understand the drill: broken types, ghosted subscribers, styling nightmares. However with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting practical videos, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain name
One point that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of just throwing your email domain name right into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name using their own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, actually wise.
And importing my list? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No customers disappearing right into deep space. Even attaching my internet site was great– alright, the styling took a bit of effort, but hey, no system’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s excellent. Really good.
You can drag, go down, design, and sneak peek easily. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll most likely love it. Want to drop in an ad block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Clipping Monster
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t always caution you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I have actually had actually beautifully composed newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
Yet I located a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size prior to sending. It’s a little bit hands-on, sure, once you get the hang of it, you’ll prevent the dreaded clipping issue.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv absolutely radiates.
It resembles they in fact desire you to expand your target market. Surprising, best?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your current customers generate brand-new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Want to run a free gift? Deal a bonus for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of various other newsletters’ audiences. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Money, Fewer Headaches
This was just one of the largest factors I relocated to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in ad network that attaches you with actual sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for buying web traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was already making more than I ever did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: many e-newsletter tools do not care about your landing page. However Beehiiv? They offer you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A tidy, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your past problems
- Personalized types, branding and Beehiiv Design Lab
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for many developers, it’s more than enough. And it just works. No unpleasant DNS configs or busted embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You don’t just obtain open and click rates. You obtain real understandings:.
Where subscribers came from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, fine-tune, and maximize every step of your funnel, from kind to available to buy. Which kind of visibility? Priceless when you’re attempting to grow on purpose.
What Beehiiv Could Boost?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained space to grow. Below’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit rigid. One form = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the unusual side situations.
However below’s things, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually already seen updates present based on customer responses, which’s a truly good indication.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Design Lab
If you’re a creator, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your checklist quick,
- To keep full ownership of your subscribers,
- To actually earn money without system fines,
- And to not battle with cumbersome email contractors …
Then indeed, you ought to definitely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want innovative CRM automations, perhaps look elsewhere. Yet if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand, or a passion project?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully supported. No CSV nightmares right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Just the conventional Stripe 3% fee. The remainder is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and easy, even if you have actually never ever established a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Target market ownership, much better monetization tools, no system charges, and extra list-growth options.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also help you warm it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in money making devices?
Yes! Boosts, references, advertisement networks and paid subscriptions are all indigenous features.