If you’re also remotely into e-mail newsletters, you’ve probably listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something different about this system, something that makes designers like you quit, breathe, and say, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Alex & Books Beehiiv…
I have actually been specifically where you are. Attempting to pick the ideal email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. However after virtually one decade of helping individuals browse email marketing and 2 years running my own e-newsletter, I finally took the plunge and offered Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And looter: I didn’t simply mess around. I relocated every little thing over. Below’s why you might wish to do the exact same.
Why I Dumped Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually got a tidy interface and a dedicated community of authors. Yet when it concerns money making and target market ownership, they falter. Tough.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Audience on Substack
You recognize that little “follow” feature on Substack? It appears cool on paper, right? Like, more exposure, more involvement?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “fans” aren’t actual customers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not obtain your e-mails in their inbox. You can not contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever before make a decision to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re developing a checklist … that you don’t possess.
Now compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When someone subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can build a real relationship. That’s exactly how it should be.
The Hidden Cost of Benefit
Currently let’s talk money. Every single time someone pays for your e-newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 subscriber? You’re taking simply over $6. Not awful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That added money builds up quickly, especially if you’re preparing to expand or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to construct a service (even a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating right into your profits prior to you also begin.
What It’s In Fact Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re worried that migrating your listing or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: damaged forms, ghosted clients, styling nightmares. Yet with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking valuable video clips, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. As opposed to just tossing your e-mail domain right into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name utilizing their very own facilities. It’s clever. Like, really smart.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No cool CSV issues. No subscribers vanishing into deep space. Also attaching my website was fine– fine, the styling took a little bit of effort, yet hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t remarkable. However it’s good. Really excellent.
You can drag, go down, design, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re not doing anything too design-heavy, you’ll most likely enjoy it. Wish to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not always warn you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I have actually had perfectly created newsletters obtain sliced off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I discovered a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size before sending. It’s a bit manual, certain, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the feared clipping concern.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they in fact want you to expand your audience. Shocking, ideal?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your current subscribers bring in new ones– and it actually functions. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Wish to run a free gift? Deal a bonus offer 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 e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Cash, Less Migraines
This was one of the largest factors I relocated to Beehiiv, I wanted to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform costs. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Built-in ad network that connects you with real sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for getting traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was already earning greater than I ever did on my old system and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Website: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: most newsletter devices do not care about your landing page. But Beehiiv? They give you a whole mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, contemporary homepage
- Archive pages for your past issues
- Custom-made forms, branding and Alex & Books Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but also for a lot of makers, it’s ample. And it just works. No unpleasant DNS configs or broken embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You don’t just get open and click rates. You obtain real understandings:.
Where customers originated from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much cash you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and optimize every action of your funnel, from type to open to buy. And that type of presence? Valuable when you’re trying to grow on purpose.
What Beehiiv Can Improve?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained area 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 TLC.
You’ll miss out on some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the unusual edge situations.
But right here’s things, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually currently seen updates turn out based on user feedback, and that’s an actually excellent indicator.
All-time Low Line: Alex & Books Beehiiv
If you’re a developer, writer, or indie publisher who wants:
- To expand your list quick,
- To maintain complete possession of your customers,
- To really earn money without system fines,
- And to not combat with clunky e-mail home builders …
Then yes, you ought to absolutely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want innovative CRM automations, maybe look in other places. But if you’re developing a community, an individual brand name, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs Regarding
1. Can I move my existing email listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and completely supported. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the typical Stripe 3% cost. The remainder is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for novices?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you have actually never ever established a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market ownership, much better money making tools, no platform charges, and much more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even help you warm it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, advertisement networks and paid memberships are all indigenous features.