If you’re also from another location 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 different about this system, something that makes creators like you quit, take a breath, and say, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Gold Tier…
I have actually been specifically where you are. Trying to pick the ideal e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a couple of months. Yet after nearly one decade of helping individuals navigate email marketing and 2 years running my own newsletter, I finally took the plunge and offered Beehiiv a correct, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And spoiler: I really did not simply dabble. I moved everything over. Right here’s why you could intend to do the very same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t negative. They’re reputable. They have actually got a clean interface and a devoted community of authors. However when it involves money making and audience possession, they falter. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Very Own Your Audience on Substack
You recognize that little “follow” feature on Substack? It sounds cool theoretically, right? Like, more exposure, more engagement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “followers” aren’t real customers. They’re locked 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 decide to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So basically, you’re developing a listing … that you don’t have.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When someone subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can construct an actual relationship. That’s just how it ought to be.
The Hidden Cost of Ease
Now let’s speak money. Each time someone pays for your e-newsletter on Substack, you lose 13% straight off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 subscriber? You’re swiping simply over $6. Not horrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That extra money adds up fast, particularly if you’re preparing to expand or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to build a business (also a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating right into your earnings prior to you even start.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk arrangement. If you’re stressed that moving 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 recognize the drill: damaged types, ghosted customers, styling nightmares. However with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking practical video clips, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain
Something that blew me away was domain warming. As opposed to simply throwing your e-mail domain name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain using their very own facilities. It’s clever. Like, actually clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No fashionable CSV problems. No clients vanishing right into deep space. Even attaching my internet site was great– all right, the designing took a little bit of elbow grease, however hey, no system’s best.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. However it’s great. Actually good.
You can drag, go down, design, and preview effortlessly. If you’re refraining anything too design-heavy, you’ll possibly like it. Want to drop in an ad block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly alert you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had actually beautifully created newsletters obtain sliced off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I found a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size prior to sending. It’s a little bit hands-on, certain, once you master it, you’ll avoid the dreadful clipping problem.
Expanding Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Tools
This is where Beehiiv absolutely radiates.
It resembles they actually want you to grow your audience. Surprising, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your present clients generate new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable referrals baked right into the system.
Intend to run a giveaway? Offer an incentive for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Cash, Less Migraines
This was among the most significant factors I transferred to Beehiiv, I wanted to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform charges. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in ad network that links you with genuine sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for getting web traffic or earning by promoting others.
3 months in, I was currently earning more than I ever before did on my old system and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: a lot of newsletter devices uncommitted concerning your landing page. However Beehiiv? They provide you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive pages for your previous issues
- Custom forms, branding and Beehiiv Gold Tier
It’s not a full-on CMS, but also for most designers, it’s more than enough. And it simply functions. No messy DNS configs or damaged embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You don’t simply obtain open and click rates. You get real insights:.
Where clients originated from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and enhance every action of your funnel, from type to available to acquire. And that kind of visibility? Priceless when you’re trying to expand deliberately.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got area to expand. Below’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a little bit rigid. One form = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the strange side instances.
Yet right here’s things, Beehiiv actually listens. I have actually already seen updates roll out based on customer responses, which’s an actually good indication.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Gold Tier
If you’re a designer, writer, or indie publisher who wants:
- To expand your checklist quickly,
- To keep full possession of your clients,
- To actually earn money without platform charges,
- And to not fight with clunky email building contractors …
After that of course, you should absolutely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want sophisticated CRM automations, perhaps look in other places. Yet if you’re building a community, an individual brand name, or an interest task?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing e-mail checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and fully supported. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the conventional Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for newbies?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and easy, even if you’ve never established an e-newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Audience possession, far better money making tools, no platform costs, and much more list-growth choices.
5. Can I use my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also assist you warm it up for far better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all native features.