If you’re also remotely right into e-mail e-newsletters, you’ve probably heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something various regarding this platform, something that makes makers like you quit, take a breath, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Tip Jar…
I’ve been exactly where you are. Trying to select the appropriate e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a couple of months. But after almost 10 years of helping people browse email marketing and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter, I ultimately took the plunge and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, genuine trial run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just mess around. I relocated every little thing over. Right here’s why you might want to do the very same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a tidy user interface and a faithful community of authors. But when it comes to money making and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It appears cool on paper, right? Like, much more presence, more interaction?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “followers” aren’t genuine customers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your e-mails in their inbox. You can not contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So generally, you’re building a listing … that you don’t own.
Now compare that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When a person subscribes, that email is your own. You can take it with you. You can develop a real partnership. That’s exactly how it ought to be.
The Hidden Price of Comfort
Currently let’s speak money. Every single time a person spends for your newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% straight off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 subscriber? You’re swiping just over $6. Not awful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That extra cash money builds up quickly, particularly if you’re planning to expand or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to build a business (also a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your revenues prior to you also start.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk arrangement. If you’re stressed that moving your list or establishing automations will be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You understand the drill: broken forms, ghosted customers, styling headaches. But with Beehiiv, points went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting valuable video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you need it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of simply throwing your e-mail domain into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain using their own framework. It’s smart. Like, really wise.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No customers going away right into the void. Even attaching my website was fine– alright, the designing took a little elbow grease, but hey, no system’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t perfect. However it’s great. Really good.
You can drag, drop, style, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll possibly love it. Intend to drop in an ad block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Watch Out for the Gmail Clipping Monster
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t always caution you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I’ve had actually perfectly composed newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I found a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML dimension prior to sending out. It’s a little bit hand-operated, sure, once you master it, you’ll stay clear of the feared clipping problem.
Expanding Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely radiates.
It’s like they really want you to grow your target market. Shocking, right?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your existing clients generate brand-new ones– and it actually functions. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable referrals baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a free gift? Offer a bonus offer 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.
Monetization: More Cash, Less Headaches
This was among the greatest reasons I relocated to Beehiiv, I wanted to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform charges. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated advertisement network that attaches you with real enrollers.
Customizable paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for acquiring web traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was currently gaining more than I ever did on my old platform and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: the majority of e-newsletter devices don’t care about your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, contemporary homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous problems
- Custom kinds, branding and Beehiiv Tip Jar
It’s not a full-on CMS, but also for many creators, it’s more than enough. And it just functions. No untidy DNS configs or damaged embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t just obtain open and click rates. You obtain real insights:.
Where customers came from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, fine-tune, and enhance every step of your funnel, from type to open up to acquire. Which kind of visibility? Valuable when you’re trying to grow intentionally.
What Beehiiv Might Boost?
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s got room to expand. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One form = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some shopping features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the strange side cases.
Yet right here’s things, Beehiiv actually pays attention. I’ve already seen updates roll out based on user responses, which’s an actually good indication.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv Tip Jar
If you’re a designer, author, or indie author who desires:
- To grow your list quickly,
- To maintain complete possession of your subscribers,
- To really earn money without system penalties,
- And to not combat with clunky email home builders …
After that of course, you ought to definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except every person. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want advanced CRM automations, perhaps look elsewhere. However if you’re building a community, a personal brand name, or an enthusiasm project?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Regarding
1. Can I migrate my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and fully supported. No CSV headaches here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Just the standard 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’ve never established an e-newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv far better than Substack?
Audience possession, better money making devices, no system charges, and much more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even aid you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, references, ad networks and paid registrations are all native features.