If you’re also remotely into email e-newsletters, you have actually possibly heard the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something various regarding this platform, something that makes designers like you quit, breathe, and say, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Merch…
I have actually been exactly where you are. Trying to select the ideal email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a couple of months. But after nearly one decade helpful people browse e-mail marketing and two years running my very own newsletter, I lastly started and provided Beehiiv a correct, genuine test run.
And looter: I really did not just dabble. I relocated whatever over. Here’s why you may wish to do the very same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t negative. They’re well-established. They have actually got a tidy interface and a dedicated community of authors. Yet when it involves money making and audience possession, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Own Your Audience on Substack
You recognize that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It sounds trendy theoretically, right? Like, more exposure, even more interaction?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “fans” aren’t real subscribers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t obtain your emails in their inbox. You can not contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever before determine to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So primarily, you’re building a list … that you don’t possess.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that email is your own. You can take it with you. You can construct a genuine partnership. That’s just how it needs to be.
The Hidden Cost of Convenience
Now let’s speak cash. Each time someone spends for your e-newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 client? You’re filching just over $6. Not terrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform costs. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That additional money adds up fast, especially if you’re preparing to grow or generate income from seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to construct an organization (also a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your profits prior to you also begin.
What It’s In Fact Like Beginning on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re stressed that migrating your listing or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle prior to. You recognize the drill: broken types, ghosted subscribers, styling headaches. However with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting handy video clips, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain
One point that blew me away was domain warming. Rather than simply throwing your email domain name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv gradually introduces your domain using their own framework. It’s clever. Like, really clever.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No cool CSV concerns. No customers going away into the void. Also attaching my web site was fine– all right, the designing took a bit of elbow grease, yet hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s excellent. Truly great.
You can drag, drop, style, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re refraining anything too design-heavy, you’ll probably like it. Intend to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always advise you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I have actually had beautifully created newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I discovered a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size prior to sending. It’s a little bit manual, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll stay clear of the dreadful clipping problem.
Growing Your Listing with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Real Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely beams.
It resembles they in fact desire you to grow your target market. Stunning, best?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program allows your existing clients generate new ones– and it really functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Wish to run a giveaway? Offer a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that simple.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of various other e-newsletters’ target markets. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Money, Less Headaches
This was one of the largest reasons I relocated to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system charges. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in ad network that attaches you with actual enrollers.
Customizable paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for acquiring web traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was already earning greater than I ever did on my old platform and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: the majority of e-newsletter devices don’t care concerning your landing page. But Beehiiv? They offer you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, modern-day homepage
- Archive pages for your previous problems
- Custom-made types, branding and Beehiiv Merch
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for most designers, it’s more than enough. And it just functions. No messy DNS configs or damaged embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t simply get open and click rates. You get genuine understandings:.
Where clients originated from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, fine-tune, and maximize every step of your funnel, from kind to open up to acquire. And that sort of exposure? Invaluable when you’re attempting to expand on purpose.
What Beehiiv Could Improve?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained area to expand. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss some ecommerce features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the unusual edge instances.
However here’s the thing, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually currently seen updates roll out based upon customer comments, which’s a truly great indicator.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Merch
If you’re a developer, writer, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your checklist quick,
- To maintain complete ownership of your customers,
- To actually generate income without platform penalties,
- And to not combat with cumbersome email contractors …
Then of course, you should absolutely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire innovative CRM automations, possibly look in other places. But if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand name, or an enthusiasm task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing e-mail list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully supported. No CSV headaches right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Simply the standard Stripe 3% cost. The remainder is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you have actually never set up a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience ownership, better monetization tools, no system fees, and much more list-growth choices.
5. Can I use my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also aid you heat it up for far better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid memberships are all native features.