If you’re also remotely into email e-newsletters, you’ve most likely heard the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something various about this platform, something that makes makers like you quit, take a breath, and say, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Help Center…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Trying to choose the best e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. Yet after nearly 10 years of helping people browse e-mail marketing and two years running my own e-newsletter, I lastly took the plunge and provided Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just mess around. I relocated everything over. Right here’s why you might intend to do the very same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You May Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a tidy user interface and a loyal community of writers. But when it concerns monetization and target market possession, they falter. Tough.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Own Your Target Market on Substack
You know that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It appears cool theoretically, right? Like, extra presence, even more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t real customers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can’t call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever before decide to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So essentially, you’re developing a listing … that you do not own.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv and even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is yours. You can take it with you. You can develop a real relationship. That’s exactly how it ought to be.
The Hidden Expense of Ease
Currently let’s speak money. Every 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 taking just over $6. Not awful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That added cash adds up fast, specifically if you’re planning to expand or generate income from seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to develop an organization (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your revenues before you even begin.
What It’s Really Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re worried that migrating your listing or setting up automations will be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: damaged types, ghosted clients, styling problems. Yet with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. Rather than simply tossing your email domain into the wild (and hoping you do not land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name using their own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, truly clever.
And importing my list? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No customers going away into deep space. Even linking my web site was fine– fine, the designing took a little bit of effort, yet hey, no platform’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. But it’s great. Truly good.
You can drag, drop, design, and sneak peek easily. If you’re refraining from doing anything as well design-heavy, you’ll most likely love it. Want to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Watch Out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly advise you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I have actually had beautifully written e-newsletters get chopped off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I found a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML dimension prior to sending. It’s a little bit hand-operated, certain, but once you master it, you’ll prevent the dreaded clipping problem.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Genuine Tools
This is where Beehiiv absolutely beams.
It resembles they actually desire you to expand your audience. Stunning, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your existing customers generate new ones– and it really works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a free gift? Offer a perk 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 newsletters’ target markets. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: More Cash, Less Migraines
This was one of the largest factors I moved to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Integrated advertisement network that attaches you with actual sponsors.
Customizable paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for getting traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was currently making greater than I ever did on my old platform and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: many newsletter tools uncommitted regarding your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past problems
- Custom-made types, branding and Beehiiv Help Center
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for most creators, it’s more than enough. And it just works. No unpleasant DNS configs or damaged embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not just obtain open and click rates. You obtain real insights:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and optimize every step of your funnel, from kind to open up to purchase. And that type of visibility? Priceless when you’re attempting to expand intentionally.
What Beehiiv Could Boost?
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got room to grow. Below’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a bit rigid. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss some shopping features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be faster on the weird edge instances.
Yet here’s the important things, Beehiiv in fact pays attention. I have actually already seen updates roll out based upon customer responses, and that’s a truly good indication.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv Help Center
If you’re a developer, writer, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your checklist fast,
- To maintain complete ownership of your customers,
- To in fact make money without system charges,
- And to not fight with cumbersome e-mail home builders …
Then of course, you must absolutely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want innovative CRM automations, possibly look elsewhere. However if you’re developing a community, a personal brand, or an interest job?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I move my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and totally sustained. No CSV problems below.
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 good for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and very easy, even if you have actually never ever set up an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market possession, better monetization devices, no system fees, and a lot more list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even help you heat it up for much better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated money making devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid registrations are all indigenous features.