If you’re also remotely 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 creators like you stop, take a breath, and say, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Equal Opportunity Beehiiv…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Attempting to pick the best e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. However after virtually 10 years of helping people navigate email marketing and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter, I finally started and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I really did not just dabble. I moved everything over. Right here’s why you may intend to do the exact same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a tidy user interface and a faithful community of writers. Yet when it involves monetization and target market possession, they falter. Hard.
Let me simplify.
You Do not Own Your Target Market on Substack
You recognize that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It seems awesome theoretically, right? Like, more presence, more engagement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “fans” aren’t real customers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t get your e-mails in their inbox. You can not call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever decide to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So generally, you’re building a list … that you don’t own.
Now contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When someone subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can build a real partnership. That’s just how it should be.
The Hidden Cost of Convenience
Now let’s chat money. Whenever somebody spends for your 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 stealing just over $6. Not terrible … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That added money adds up quick, especially if you’re intending to grow or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to build an organization (also a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your revenues before you also start.
What It’s Really Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re fretted that migrating your listing or establishing automations will be a pain … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: busted kinds, ghosted customers, styling nightmares. But with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking helpful videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. As opposed to just tossing your e-mail domain into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain using their very own framework. It’s wise. Like, really clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No cool CSV issues. No subscribers going away into deep space. Also connecting my internet site was great– fine, the designing took a bit of elbow grease, however hey, no platform’s excellent.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s great. Actually great.
You can drag, drop, design, and preview with ease. If you’re refraining anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably love it. Want to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Clipping Monster
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly alert you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I have actually had beautifully composed newsletters get cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
Yet I discovered a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size before sending. It’s a little bit hand-operated, sure, once you get the hang of it, you’ll stay clear of the dreadful clipping issue.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Actual Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they actually want you to grow your target market. Stunning, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your current customers generate brand-new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable references baked right into the system.
Wish to run a free gift? Offer a benefit 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 various other e-newsletters’ target markets. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: More Cash, Less Headaches
This was one of the biggest reasons I transferred to Beehiiv, I wanted to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system charges. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that connects you with genuine sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for purchasing web 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 effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: many e-newsletter devices don’t care about your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They provide you a whole mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, contemporary homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous concerns
- Custom types, branding and Equal Opportunity Beehiiv
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for many makers, it’s sufficient. And it just functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or busted embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not just obtain open and click rates. You obtain genuine insights:.
Where subscribers originated from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every action of your funnel, from form to open up to purchase. Which sort of presence? Valuable when you’re trying to expand deliberately.
What Beehiiv Can Improve?
No system is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got room to expand. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One type = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the strange side situations.
However below’s the important things, Beehiiv actually pays attention. I have actually already seen updates turn out based upon individual comments, which’s a really excellent sign.
All-time Low Line: Equal Opportunity Beehiiv
If you’re a creator, writer, or indie author who wants:
- To grow your checklist fast,
- To maintain complete ownership of your clients,
- To in fact earn money without system fines,
- And to not battle with cumbersome email contractors …
After that yes, you must definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want innovative CRM automations, possibly look in other places. But if you’re developing 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 checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV problems below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Just the basic Stripe 3% fee. The remainder is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv great for newbies?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you have actually never ever set up a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market ownership, much better monetization tools, no platform fees, and extra list-growth options.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also help you warm it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid registrations are all indigenous features.