If you’re even from another location into email newsletters, you’ve possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something various about this system, something that makes creators like you stop, breathe, and say, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Gravity Forms…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Trying to choose the best e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. Yet after nearly ten years of helping individuals browse email marketing and 2 years running my own e-newsletter, I finally started and provided Beehiiv a correct, genuine trial run.
And looter: I really did not simply dabble. I relocated whatever over. Right here’s why you may wish to do the exact same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a clean user interface and a devoted community of authors. Yet when it involves monetization and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It sounds awesome theoretically, right? Like, much more presence, more engagement?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “followers” aren’t genuine customers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not get your emails in their inbox. You can’t call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever before make a decision to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So generally, you’re developing a checklist … that you do not possess.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can construct a real relationship. That’s how it ought to be.
The Hidden Cost of Benefit
Currently let’s speak cash. Whenever someone spends for your 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 taking just over $6. Not horrible … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That additional cash money accumulates quickly, specifically if you’re intending to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to develop a service (also a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating right into your profits prior to you even begin.
What It’s Actually Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re worried that moving your listing or establishing automations will certainly be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the entire ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: busted kinds, ghosted subscribers, styling headaches. But with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and actual assistance when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain name
Something that blew me away was domain warming. As opposed to just throwing your email domain name into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain name utilizing their very own facilities. It’s clever. Like, really wise.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No cool CSV issues. No subscribers going away into the void. Even connecting my website was great– all right, the styling took a bit of elbow grease, yet hey, no system’s best.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t remarkable. But it’s great. Actually excellent.
You can drag, go down, style, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably love it. Intend to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always alert you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had actually wonderfully written e-newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
But I discovered a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML dimension before sending out. It’s a bit manual, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the feared clipping concern.
Expanding Your List with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Real Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely shines.
It resembles they in fact want you to expand your audience. Shocking, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program allows your existing clients bring in brand-new ones– and it really functions. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable referrals baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a giveaway? Deal an incentive for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that simple.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of other newsletters’ target markets. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Cash, Fewer Frustrations
This was among the biggest reasons I transferred to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform fees. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that attaches you with actual sponsors.
Customizable paid subscriptions with complete control.
Boosts for acquiring web traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was already gaining greater than I ever did on my old system and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: many newsletter devices don’t care regarding your landing page. But Beehiiv? They offer you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A tidy, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous issues
- Custom types, branding and Beehiiv Gravity Forms
It’s not a full-on CMS, but for most creators, it’s ample. And it simply functions. No untidy DNS configs or broken embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not just obtain open and click prices. You obtain real insights:.
Where clients originated from.
Which referral sources are functioning.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and optimize every step of your funnel, from kind to open up to buy. And that kind of exposure? Valuable when you’re trying to grow deliberately.
What Beehiiv Can Enhance?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got space to expand. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be faster on the strange side instances.
However here’s the thing, Beehiiv actually pays attention. I have actually already seen updates roll out based on individual comments, and that’s an actually great sign.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Gravity Forms
If you’re a designer, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your checklist quick,
- To keep full possession of your clients,
- To in fact earn money without system charges,
- And to not fight with cumbersome email building contractors …
After that of course, you must absolutely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire sophisticated CRM automations, possibly look in other places. But if you’re developing a community, a personal brand name, or a passion project?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I migrate my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV problems here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Just the typical Stripe 3% charge. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv great for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you have actually never ever established an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv far better than Substack?
Audience ownership, far better monetization tools, no platform fees, and extra list-growth choices.
5. Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll also help you heat it up for far better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, ad networks and paid memberships are all indigenous features.