If you’re also remotely right into email e-newsletters, you’ve most likely heard the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something different regarding this system, something that makes creators like you quit, breathe, and claim, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Matt McGarry…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Attempting to pick the best email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a couple of months. However after virtually 10 years helpful individuals navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my own e-newsletter, I lastly started and offered Beehiiv a proper, genuine test run.
And looter: I didn’t just dabble. I relocated every little thing over. Below’s why you could wish to do the exact same.
Why I Ditched Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a clean interface and a devoted community of authors. Yet when it pertains to monetization and target market ownership, they falter. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Own Your Audience on Substack
You know that little “follow” feature on Substack? It seems amazing on paper, right? Like, a lot more visibility, even more engagement?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “followers” aren’t actual clients. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t 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’t take them with you.
So basically, you’re developing a listing … that you don’t own.
Now contrast that to Beehiiv and even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that e-mail is yours. You can take it with you. You can construct a genuine partnership. That’s exactly how it ought to be.
The Hidden Price of Benefit
Now let’s speak money. Whenever somebody pays for your newsletter on Substack, you lose 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 customer? You’re pocketing simply over $6. Not terrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That added money builds up quick, especially if you’re planning to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to build a company (also a side one), you require a system that’s not eating into your earnings before you even begin.
What It’s In Fact Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re stressed that migrating your checklist or establishing automations will certainly be a pain … do not be.
I’ve done the entire ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: broken types, ghosted customers, styling nightmares. Yet with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and actual support when you need it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. As opposed to simply tossing your e-mail domain into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain using their own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, really clever.
And importing my list? Smooth. No fashionable CSV issues. No clients vanishing into the void. Also linking my internet site was great– okay, the styling took a little elbow grease, but hey, no platform’s best.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t remarkable. However it’s great. Actually great.
You can drag, go down, design, and preview effortlessly. If you’re refraining from doing anything as well design-heavy, you’ll possibly enjoy it. Intend to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Cutting Monster
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly advise you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had actually perfectly composed e-newsletters get sliced off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
However I found a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML dimension prior to sending. It’s a little bit hands-on, certain, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll prevent the dreaded clipping issue.
Expanding Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Genuine Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they actually want you to expand your audience. Surprising, ideal?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your current subscribers generate new ones– and it actually functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Wish 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 enter front of other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Money, Less Frustrations
This was just one of the greatest factors I moved to Beehiiv, I wanted to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Built-in advertisement network that attaches you with actual enrollers.
Personalized paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for getting web traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was already gaining more than I ever did on my old system and with less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: most e-newsletter tools don’t care about your landing page. However Beehiiv? They provide you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, contemporary homepage
- Archive pages for your past concerns
- Personalized forms, branding and Beehiiv Matt McGarry
It’s not a full-on CMS, but also for many designers, it’s more than enough. And it simply works. No messy DNS configs or broken embeds. Just connect it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not simply get open and click prices. You get genuine insights:.
Where subscribers originated from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every step of your funnel, from type to open to buy. And that type of presence? Valuable when you’re attempting to expand purposefully.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got area to expand. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One type = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the odd edge situations.
But below’s the thing, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually already seen updates turn out based upon user responses, and that’s a really great indicator.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Matt McGarry
If you’re a creator, writer, or indie author who wants:
- To grow your checklist quick,
- To keep full ownership of your customers,
- To in fact earn money without platform fines,
- And to not fight with clunky e-mail home builders …
Then yes, you must definitely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire innovative CRM automations, perhaps look in other places. However if you’re constructing a community, an individual brand, or a passion job?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs Concerning
1. Can I migrate my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and completely supported. No CSV headaches here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Simply the conventional Stripe 3% charge. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv great for novices?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and very easy, even if you have actually never ever set up an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience possession, much better monetization tools, no system fees, and a lot more list-growth options.
5. Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even aid you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all indigenous features.