If you’re also remotely right into email e-newsletters, you’ve most likely listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something different about this platform, something that makes makers like you stop, breathe, and say, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Half Baked…
I’ve been specifically where you are. Trying to choose the ideal e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. But after almost 10 years of helping people browse e-mail marketing and two years running my very own newsletter, I finally started and gave Beehiiv a proper, genuine test run.
And looter: I really did not just mess around. I relocated everything over. Right here’s why you might intend to do the very same.
Why I Dumped Substack and Why You May Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They have actually got a clean user interface and a faithful community of authors. Yet when it concerns money making and target market possession, they drop the ball. Tough.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Own Your Target Market on Substack
You recognize that little “follow” feature on Substack? It sounds awesome theoretically, right? Like, extra presence, more involvement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t actual subscribers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled yard. They don’t get your e-mails in their inbox. You can not contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re constructing a checklist … that you don’t 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 build a real partnership. That’s exactly how it needs to be.
The Hidden Price of Comfort
Now let’s speak money. Every time a person 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 filching simply over $6. Not horrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the remainder. That additional cash adds up fast, particularly if you’re intending to expand or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to build an organization (even a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating right into your profits prior to you also begin.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re worried that migrating your checklist or setting up automations will be a pain … don’t be.
I have actually done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: busted forms, ghosted clients, styling headaches. But with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting helpful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine support when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. Rather than simply throwing your email domain into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain utilizing their very own facilities. It’s wise. Like, actually clever.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No funky CSV issues. No clients disappearing right into the void. Even connecting my internet site was fine– fine, the designing took a little bit of elbow grease, but hey, no system’s best.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. However it’s excellent. Actually great.
You can drag, go down, style, and preview with ease. If you’re refraining anything as well design-heavy, you’ll possibly like it. Wish to decrease in an ad block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly warn you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had perfectly created e-newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
But I found a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size before sending. It’s a little bit hand-operated, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping concern.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv absolutely shines.
It resembles they actually desire you to expand your audience. Shocking, ideal?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your current subscribers generate brand-new ones– and it really works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable referrals baked right into the system.
Want to run a free gift? Offer a bonus offer 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. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Money, Fewer Migraines
This was one of the greatest factors I transferred to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform fees. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that links you with genuine enrollers.
Customizable paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for buying website 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 less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: the majority of e-newsletter devices don’t care regarding your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They provide you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your past concerns
- Custom types, branding and Beehiiv Half Baked
It’s not a full-on CMS, but also for many makers, it’s more than enough. And it simply works. No messy DNS configs or busted embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t simply get open and click prices. You obtain real insights:.
Where customers came from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and enhance every step of your funnel, from kind to open to acquire. And that kind of visibility? Valuable when you’re attempting to expand purposefully.
What Beehiiv Could Improve?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got room to expand. Below’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One type = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the weird edge cases.
However below’s things, Beehiiv really listens. I have actually currently seen updates turn out based on user responses, and that’s a truly great indication.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv Half Baked
If you’re a designer, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your listing quickly,
- To maintain full ownership of your clients,
- To actually generate income without system charges,
- And to not battle with confusing e-mail builders …
After that yes, you should absolutely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire innovative CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. However if you’re developing a community, a personal brand, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs Regarding
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and completely supported. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Simply the common Stripe 3% charge. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv good for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and easy, even if you’ve never set up a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market ownership, better monetization tools, no system costs, and a lot more list-growth options.
5. Can I use my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also help you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid memberships are all native features.