If you’re even from another location into e-mail e-newsletters, you have actually probably listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something different regarding this system, something that makes designers like you stop, take a breath, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Greg Isenberg…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Attempting to pick the best e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a couple of months. Yet after virtually ten years of helping people navigate email marketing and two years running my own newsletter, I ultimately started and offered Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And looter: I really did not simply mess around. I moved every little thing over. Here’s why you might want to do the very same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You May Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They’ve obtained a tidy user interface and a dedicated community of authors. However when it concerns money making and audience possession, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Own Your Audience on Substack
You recognize that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It sounds great theoretically, right? Like, more presence, even more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t actual subscribers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not obtain your e-mails in their inbox. You can’t contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So primarily, you’re building a checklist … that you do not possess.
Now compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can build a real relationship. That’s exactly how it ought to be.
The Hidden Cost of Ease
Now let’s chat cash. Every single time someone pays for your 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 taking just over $6. Not dreadful … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform costs. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That extra cash money accumulates fast, specifically if you’re intending to grow or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re going to build an organization (even a side one), you require a system that’s not eating right into your profits prior to you also start.
What It’s In Fact Like Beginning 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 … don’t be.
I’ve done the entire ESP shuffle before. You know the drill: damaged kinds, ghosted customers, styling headaches. However with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and actual support when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain name
One point that blew me away was domain warming. As opposed to just throwing your e-mail domain right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain using their own infrastructure. It’s smart. Like, truly clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No funky CSV concerns. No clients vanishing right into deep space. Even connecting my site was great– all right, the styling took a little bit of effort, but hey, no system’s best.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. However it’s great. Really great.
You can drag, drop, style, and sneak peek easily. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably love it. Want to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly caution you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had actually beautifully created newsletters get sliced off mid-sentence. Not fun.
Yet I discovered a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size prior to sending out. It’s a little bit hands-on, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll stay clear of the dreadful clipping concern.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely beams.
It’s like they actually desire you to grow your target market. Shocking, best?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your existing clients generate new ones– and it really works. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the platform.
Want to run a giveaway? Offer a bonus offer 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 various other e-newsletters’ audiences. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Money, Less Migraines
This was just one of the largest factors I transferred to Beehiiv, I wanted to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system costs. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that attaches you with actual sponsors.
Customizable paid subscriptions with full control.
Boosts for purchasing traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was currently gaining greater than I ever before did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: the majority of e-newsletter devices don’t care concerning your landing page. But Beehiiv? They give you a whole mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your past problems
- Custom-made forms, branding and Beehiiv Greg Isenberg
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for most designers, it’s sufficient. And it simply works. No messy 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 get open and click rates. You obtain genuine understandings:.
Where subscribers came from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, fine-tune, and enhance every action of your funnel, from form to open to purchase. Which kind of exposure? Invaluable when you’re trying to grow purposefully.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained space to expand. Below’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a bit stiff. One type = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be faster on the unusual side cases.
However below’s the thing, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually currently seen updates roll out based on customer comments, which’s an actually good indication.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Greg Isenberg
If you’re a developer, writer, or indie publisher who wants:
- To grow your checklist quick,
- To keep full possession of your customers,
- To actually generate income without platform fines,
- And to not battle with clunky email building contractors …
Then indeed, you need to absolutely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want sophisticated CRM automations, possibly look in other places. Yet if you’re constructing a community, an individual brand, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I migrate my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and completely supported. No CSV problems below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Just the conventional Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv great for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and easy, even if you have actually never ever established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Audience ownership, far better monetization devices, no system fees, and much more list-growth options.
5. Can I utilize my own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even aid you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid memberships are all indigenous features.