If you’re even remotely into e-mail newsletters, you have actually most likely listened to 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 stop, breathe, and state, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Owner…
I’ve been exactly where you are. Attempting to pick the right email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a couple of months. However after almost 10 years helpful individuals navigate email marketing and two years running my own e-newsletter, I finally started and gave Beehiiv a correct, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I really did not simply mess around. I relocated whatever over. Here’s why you might want to do the very same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re reputable. They have actually got a tidy user interface and a faithful community of writers. However when it involves monetization and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Own Your Target Market on Substack
You recognize that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It sounds cool on paper, right? Like, extra visibility, more engagement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “followers” aren’t real subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. They don’t get your e-mails in their inbox. You can not call them directly. And worst of all? If you ever before make a decision to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So essentially, you’re building a checklist … that you don’t possess.
Now contrast that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When someone subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can build a genuine connection. That’s just how it must be.
The Hidden Price of Benefit
Currently let’s speak money. Every single time 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 stealing just over $6. Not awful … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system fees. Just Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That added cash money adds up fast, particularly if you’re planning to expand or generate income from seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to build a business (even a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating into your revenues before you also begin.
What It’s Actually Like Beginning on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re worried that migrating your listing or setting up automations will certainly be a discomfort … don’t be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: busted kinds, ghosted customers, styling problems. However with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking valuable videos, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain
Something that blew me away was domain warming. Instead of just tossing your e-mail domain name right into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain utilizing their very own facilities. It’s smart. Like, truly clever.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No cool CSV problems. No subscribers disappearing into the void. Even connecting my website was great– alright, the designing took a little effort, but hey, no system’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. However it’s excellent. Truly great.
You can drag, drop, style, and sneak peek easily. If you’re refraining from doing anything too design-heavy, you’ll most likely like it. Want to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always alert you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I’ve had actually perfectly created newsletters get sliced off mid-sentence. Not fun.
But I discovered a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML dimension before sending out. It’s a bit hands-on, certain, but once you master it, you’ll stay clear of the feared clipping issue.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they actually desire you to grow your audience. Stunning, best?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program allows your current customers bring in brand-new ones– and it actually works. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Intend 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 get in front of other newsletters’ target markets. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Cash, Less Migraines
This was among the most significant factors I moved to Beehiiv, I wanted to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in ad network that connects you with genuine sponsors.
Customizable paid memberships with full control.
Boosts for getting web traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was currently earning greater than I ever before did on my old system and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Internet Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: a lot of newsletter tools do not care regarding your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous concerns
- Custom-made forms, branding and Beehiiv Owner
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but also for a lot of creators, it’s more than enough. And it simply works. No untidy DNS configs or broken embeds. Just connect it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t just obtain open and click prices. You get actual understandings:.
Where subscribers came from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, fine-tune, and enhance every step of your funnel, from kind to open up to acquire. And that type of visibility? Invaluable when you’re attempting to grow deliberately.
What Beehiiv Might Improve?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got room to expand. Right here’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a little bit rigid. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the unusual side cases.
Yet here’s things, Beehiiv in fact pays attention. I’ve currently seen updates turn out based on individual comments, and that’s a really excellent sign.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Owner
If you’re a maker, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To grow your checklist fast,
- To maintain full ownership of your customers,
- To actually generate income without platform fines,
- And to not combat with clunky email home builders …
After that of course, you need to definitely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire sophisticated CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. But if you’re developing a community, a personal brand, or an interest task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and fully supported. No CSV problems here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the basic Stripe 3% fee. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv great for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and very easy, even if you’ve never established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market ownership, better monetization devices, no platform charges, and a lot more list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even aid you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid registrations are all native features.