If you’re also from another location right into e-mail newsletters, you have actually most likely listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not simply hype. There’s something different regarding this platform, something that makes makers like you quit, breathe, and claim, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Medium…
I have actually been specifically where you are. Trying to select the ideal e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. Yet after almost 10 years helpful individuals navigate email marketing and 2 years running my own newsletter, I lastly took the plunge and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, genuine trial run.
And looter: I didn’t just mess around. I moved everything over. Right here’s why you might want to do the same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They have actually got a tidy user interface and a loyal community of writers. However when it involves monetization and audience possession, they drop the ball. Tough.
Let me simplify.
You Don’t Own Your Audience on Substack
You recognize that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It seems cool theoretically, right? Like, much more visibility, even more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t genuine customers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can’t contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever before determine to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So generally, you’re developing a listing … that you do not have.
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 develop a real relationship. That’s how it ought to be.
The Hidden Price of Comfort
Currently let’s chat money. Each time somebody spends for your e-newsletter on Substack, you lose 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 horrible … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system costs. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That added money accumulates quick, especially if you’re preparing to grow or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re going to construct a service (also a side one), you require a system that’s not eating into your profits prior to you even begin.
What It’s Really Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re stressed that moving your list or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … don’t be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You know the drill: busted kinds, ghosted customers, styling nightmares. Yet with Beehiiv, points went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting valuable video clips, clear walkthroughs, and actual assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
Something that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of simply tossing your e-mail domain name right into the wild (and hoping you do not land in spam), Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain using their own infrastructure. It’s wise. Like, actually smart.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No fashionable CSV problems. No subscribers vanishing right into the void. Even attaching my web site was fine– fine, the designing took a little effort, however hey, no platform’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. But it’s good. Actually great.
You can drag, drop, style, and preview easily. If you’re not doing anything too design-heavy, you’ll probably love it. Intend to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always caution you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I’ve had magnificently written e-newsletters get sliced off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I found a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML size before sending. It’s a little bit manual, certain, but once you master it, you’ll avoid the dreadful clipping concern.
Expanding Your List with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely radiates.
It’s like they in fact desire you to grow your target market. Shocking, ideal?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your existing subscribers bring in new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable referrals baked right into the system.
Wish 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 get in front of other newsletters’ target markets. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Cash, Fewer Frustrations
This was just one of the most significant reasons I moved to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system costs. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in ad network that attaches you with real sponsors.
Customizable paid subscriptions with complete control.
Boosts for buying website traffic or earning by promoting others.
3 months in, I was already earning greater than I ever before did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Internet Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: most newsletter devices don’t care about your landing page. But Beehiiv? They provide you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past concerns
- Customized types, branding and Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Medium
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but for a lot of creators, it’s more than enough. And it just functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or busted embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not simply get open and click rates. You obtain genuine insights:.
Where customers originated 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 action of your funnel, from form to available to acquire. Which type of presence? Invaluable when you’re attempting to expand purposefully.
What Beehiiv Might Improve?
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s obtained space to expand. Below’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 need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the strange edge instances.
Yet right here’s things, Beehiiv really listens. I’ve currently seen updates present based on individual feedback, and that’s an actually good indication.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv Vs Substack Vs Medium
If you’re a developer, writer, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your checklist fast,
- To keep full ownership of your subscribers,
- To actually make money without system penalties,
- And to not combat with cumbersome email contractors …
Then of course, you must absolutely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want advanced CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. Yet if you’re developing a community, a personal brand name, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I move my existing e-mail listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Just the typical Stripe 3% cost. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv good for newbies?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you’ve never set up a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Audience ownership, much better money making tools, no platform costs, and extra list-growth options.
5. Can I utilize my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even aid you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in money making devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid memberships are all indigenous features.