If you’re also remotely right into e-mail newsletters, you have actually possibly heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply hype. There’s something various about this platform, something that makes designers like you stop, take a breath, and state, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Jack Raines Beehiiv…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Trying to choose the ideal email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. However after nearly one decade of helping people browse e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own newsletter, I ultimately took the plunge and offered Beehiiv a correct, genuine trial run.
And looter: I really did not simply mess around. I relocated whatever over. Here’s why you may wish to do the same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They’ve got a tidy interface and a faithful community of authors. Yet when it comes to money making and audience ownership, they falter. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It seems amazing on paper, right? Like, extra visibility, more involvement?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “fans” aren’t real customers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your emails in their inbox. You can’t contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re constructing a checklist … that you don’t own.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When a person subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can develop an actual connection. That’s how it should be.
The Hidden Price of Comfort
Now let’s speak cash. 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 stealing simply over $6. Not awful … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the remainder. That extra money builds up quickly, especially if you’re planning to expand or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to construct a company (also a side one), you require a system that’s not eating into your earnings before you also begin.
What It’s In Fact Like Getting Going on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re worried that moving your list or establishing automations will certainly be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle before. You know the drill: damaged forms, ghosted clients, styling headaches. Yet with Beehiiv, things went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking helpful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain
Something that blew me away was domain name warming. Rather than just throwing your e-mail domain into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain utilizing their very own framework. It’s clever. Like, really wise.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No cool CSV issues. No customers going away right into the void. Also attaching my web site was great– alright, the designing took a little elbow grease, but hey, no system’s best.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. However it’s great. Actually good.
You can drag, drop, style, and preview with ease. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll possibly love it. Intend to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t always alert you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had magnificently created e-newsletters obtain sliced off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
However I discovered a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size before sending out. It’s a little bit hand-operated, sure, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll prevent the dreadful clipping issue.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely radiates.
It’s like they actually want you to expand your target market. Stunning, right?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program allows your current customers generate new ones– and it actually functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable referrals baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a giveaway? Offer a benefit for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of various other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Cash, Fewer Frustrations
This was among the most significant factors I moved to Beehiiv, I wanted to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform fees. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Integrated ad network that links you with actual enrollers.
Personalized paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for buying web traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was currently making greater than I ever before did on my old platform and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be honest: a lot of newsletter tools do not care regarding your landing page. However Beehiiv? They offer you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, contemporary homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous problems
- Personalized kinds, branding and Jack Raines Beehiiv
It’s not a full-on CMS, but for the majority of developers, it’s more than enough. And it simply functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or broken embeds. Just plug it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not just get open and click rates. You get real insights:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every action of your funnel, from type to open up to acquire. And that kind of presence? Invaluable when you’re attempting to expand intentionally.
What Beehiiv Could Enhance?
No platform is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained area to expand. Here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit rigid. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some shopping features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the weird side situations.
Yet right here’s the important things, Beehiiv actually pays attention. I have actually already seen updates present based on user responses, which’s a really great indication.
All-time Low Line: Jack Raines Beehiiv
If you’re a maker, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your listing fast,
- To keep full possession of your clients,
- To really earn money without platform penalties,
- And to not fight with cumbersome e-mail builders …
After that indeed, you ought to definitely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire sophisticated CRM automations, perhaps look somewhere else. However if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand name, or an enthusiasm project?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I move my existing email checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV headaches below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Just the conventional Stripe 3% charge. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv great for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you’ve never ever established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience possession, far better money making devices, no platform charges, and a lot more list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even help you warm it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all native features.