If you’re also remotely into e-mail newsletters, you’ve most likely listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something different concerning this platform, something that makes developers like you quit, take a breath, and claim, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Raises…
I have actually 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. Yet after almost one decade of helping individuals browse email marketing and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter, I finally started and offered Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I really did not simply dabble. I relocated whatever over. Right here’s why you might wish to do the very same.
Why I Dumped Substack and Why You Might Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually got a tidy user interface and a faithful community of writers. But when it comes to monetization and target market possession, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Very Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It appears cool theoretically, right? Like, a lot more exposure, even more involvement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “fans” aren’t real subscribers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can not call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever determine to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re developing a listing … that you don’t possess.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When someone subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can construct an actual partnership. That’s just 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 client? You’re pocketing simply over $6. Not dreadful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the remainder. That added money adds up fast, particularly if you’re planning to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to build a company (even a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating into your earnings before you even start.
What It’s Actually Like Beginning on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk arrangement. If you’re stressed that migrating your list or setting up automations will be a pain … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: damaged types, ghosted clients, styling nightmares. Yet with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking helpful videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. Instead of simply throwing your email domain name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name utilizing their own facilities. It’s wise. Like, really wise.
And importing my list? Smooth. No fashionable CSV problems. No clients disappearing right into the void. Also linking my site was great– okay, the styling took a bit of elbow grease, yet hey, no system’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t perfect. Yet it’s great. Really good.
You can drag, go down, design, and sneak peek easily. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll possibly enjoy it. Want to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Watch Out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly warn you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I have actually had actually perfectly composed e-newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I found a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size prior to sending out. It’s a little bit manual, certain, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping problem.
Growing Your Listing with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Real Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely beams.
It’s like they actually want you to expand your target market. Shocking, right?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your present clients bring in brand-new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable referrals baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a giveaway? Offer a bonus offer for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of other e-newsletters’ audiences. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: Even More Money, Less Migraines
This was just one of the most significant factors I relocated to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system costs. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in advertisement network that connects you with actual enrollers.
Personalized paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for purchasing web traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was currently making more than I ever before did on my old system and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Web Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: a lot of e-newsletter devices do not care about your landing page. However Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your past concerns
- Custom-made forms, branding and Beehiiv Raises
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but for the majority of creators, it’s sufficient. And it simply works. No untidy DNS configs or broken embeds. Just connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t simply obtain open and click rates. You obtain real understandings:.
Where subscribers originated from.
Which referral resources 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 to buy. Which kind of presence? Valuable when you’re attempting to expand deliberately.
What Beehiiv Could Improve?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got room to grow. Right here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a little bit stiff. One type = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults require some tender loving care.
You’ll miss some shopping features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the strange edge cases.
However here’s things, Beehiiv in fact listens. I have actually currently seen updates roll out based on individual responses, and that’s an actually good indicator.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Raises
If you’re a creator, writer, or indie author who desires:
- To expand your listing fast,
- To maintain full possession of your clients,
- To in fact earn money without platform charges,
- And to not battle with clunky email building contractors …
Then indeed, you ought to absolutely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want advanced CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. Yet if you’re building a community, a personal brand, or an interest job?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and totally supported. No CSV problems here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Just the common Stripe 3% charge. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for newbies?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you’ve never established an e-newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience ownership, much better monetization tools, no system charges, and extra list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also assist you warm it up for much better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all indigenous features.