If you’re also remotely into email newsletters, you have actually probably heard the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something different concerning this platform, something that makes creators like you quit, take a breath, and state, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Generative AI Beehiiv…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Attempting to choose the right e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. But after virtually 10 years of helping individuals navigate email marketing and 2 years running my very own e-newsletter, I finally started and gave Beehiiv a correct, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And spoiler: I really did not just dabble. I relocated every little thing over. Right here’s why you may intend to do the exact same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You May Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re reputable. They have actually obtained a tidy interface and a faithful community of authors. Yet when it concerns money making and audience ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me simplify.
You Do not Own Your Target Market on Substack
You know that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It sounds amazing theoretically, right? Like, extra exposure, even more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “fans” aren’t real clients. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not obtain your e-mails in their inbox. You can not call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever make a decision to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re developing a listing … that you do not have.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv and even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can build an actual connection. That’s exactly how it must be.
The Hidden Price of Convenience
Now let’s speak cash. Every single time somebody 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 taking simply over $6. Not dreadful … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform costs. Just Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That extra cash builds up fast, particularly if you’re planning to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to develop a company (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 configuration. If you’re worried that migrating your listing or establishing automations will be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle before. You understand the drill: busted types, ghosted subscribers, styling problems. But with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking handy videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you need it.
Establishing Your Domain
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. Rather than simply tossing your email domain right into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain utilizing their own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, really clever.
And importing my list? Smooth. No fashionable CSV issues. No clients going away into deep space. Even linking my site was fine– okay, the styling took a bit of elbow grease, yet hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t perfect. Yet it’s good. Actually excellent.
You can drag, go down, style, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re not doing anything too design-heavy, you’ll probably love it. Wish to decrease in an ad block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly caution you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I have actually had actually magnificently created e-newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I discovered a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size before sending out. It’s a little bit manual, sure, but once you master it, you’ll stay clear of the dreaded clipping problem.
Growing Your Listing with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely radiates.
It resembles they actually desire you to expand your audience. Shocking, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your current clients bring in brand-new ones– and it really functions. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Wish to run a giveaway? Deal a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that simple.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of various other newsletters’ target markets. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Money, Less Frustrations
This was just one of the biggest factors I moved to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system charges. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Built-in ad network that connects you with real sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for purchasing web traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was currently gaining greater than I ever did on my old platform and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: a lot of e-newsletter devices uncommitted concerning your landing page. However Beehiiv? They give you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous problems
- Custom-made forms, branding and Generative AI Beehiiv
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for a lot of makers, it’s ample. And it simply works. No unpleasant DNS configs or damaged embeds. Just plug it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You don’t simply obtain open and click rates. You get genuine insights:.
Where customers came from.
Which referral sources are functioning.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every action of your funnel, from form to available to buy. And that type of exposure? Valuable when you’re trying to expand purposefully.
What Beehiiv Can Improve?
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got area to grow. Here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit stiff. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need 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 unusual edge instances.
But here’s the important things, Beehiiv in fact listens. I have actually currently seen updates turn out based upon user comments, which’s a truly good indicator.
All-time Low Line: Generative AI Beehiiv
If you’re a developer, writer, or indie author who desires:
- To expand your list quick,
- To keep full ownership of your customers,
- To in fact generate income without platform fines,
- And to not fight with confusing email builders …
Then indeed, you should absolutely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except every person. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want innovative CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. Yet if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand, or an enthusiasm project?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs About
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV problems here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Just the typical Stripe 3% charge. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv great for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and very easy, even if you’ve never ever set up an e-newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience ownership, much better monetization devices, no platform costs, and much more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even assist you heat it up for far better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated monetization devices?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all native features.