If you’re even remotely into e-mail e-newsletters, you have actually probably heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something various concerning this platform, something that makes developers like you stop, take a breath, and state, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv or Mailchimp…
I have actually been precisely where you are. Attempting to select the ideal email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a couple of months. Yet after virtually one decade of helping people browse e-mail marketing and two years running my own newsletter, I ultimately started and gave Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness test run.
And looter: I really did not simply dabble. I moved whatever over. Here’s why you might wish to do the exact same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They’ve got a tidy interface and a loyal community of writers. Yet when it involves monetization and audience ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me simplify.
You Do not Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It seems trendy on paper, right? Like, more presence, more involvement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “fans” aren’t actual clients. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your emails in their inbox. You can not contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever determine to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So generally, you’re constructing a list … that you don’t own.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can develop an actual partnership. That’s how it ought to be.
The Hidden Cost of Benefit
Currently let’s speak money. Every time somebody pays for your newsletter on Substack, you lose 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 client? You’re stealing just over $6. Not awful … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That additional cash money builds up quickly, particularly if you’re preparing to expand or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re going to develop a business (even a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating right into your revenues prior to you also start.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Going on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re stressed that migrating your checklist or establishing automations will certainly be a pain … don’t be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You recognize the drill: damaged forms, ghosted customers, styling problems. However with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and actual support when you need it.
Setting Up Your Domain
One point that blew me away was domain name warming. As opposed to just throwing your e-mail domain right into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain using their own framework. It’s smart. Like, really clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No subscribers going away into the void. Even linking my website was fine– okay, the styling took a little effort, but hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t remarkable. But it’s excellent. Truly great.
You can drag, drop, design, and preview easily. If you’re refraining anything as well design-heavy, you’ll possibly love it. Want to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Trimming Monster
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly advise you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I have actually had actually beautifully composed newsletters get chopped off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I located a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML dimension before sending. It’s a bit hand-operated, sure, but once you master it, you’ll prevent the dreaded clipping concern.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely shines.
It’s like they actually want you to expand your target market. Shocking, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your current clients bring in brand-new ones– and it actually works. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable recommendations baked right into the platform.
Want to run a giveaway? Deal a reward 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 various other newsletters’ target markets. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: More Cash, Fewer Migraines
This was just one of the greatest reasons I transferred to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform costs. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated advertisement network that links you with actual sponsors.
Adjustable paid memberships with complete control.
Boosts for acquiring traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was already making greater than I ever did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: a lot of newsletter tools do not care regarding your landing page. But Beehiiv? They provide you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous concerns
- Personalized types, branding and Beehiiv or Mailchimp
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for many designers, it’s more than enough. And it just functions. No messy DNS configs or busted 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 actual understandings:.
Where subscribers originated from.
Which referral sources are functioning.
How much cash you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and optimize every step of your funnel, from kind to available to buy. And that kind of presence? Invaluable when you’re trying to grow on purpose.
What Beehiiv Could Boost?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained room to grow. Below’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email 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 quicker on the weird edge situations.
Yet below’s the important things, Beehiiv actually pays attention. I’ve already seen updates present based on user feedback, and that’s a really good indication.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv or Mailchimp
If you’re a designer, writer, or indie author who wants:
- To expand your listing quick,
- To maintain full ownership of your subscribers,
- To really earn money without system penalties,
- And to not battle with cumbersome e-mail contractors …
Then yes, you need to definitely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire sophisticated CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. Yet if you’re building a community, an individual brand name, or an enthusiasm job?
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 totally sustained. No CSV headaches here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Just the common Stripe 3% fee. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for novices?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and simple, even if you’ve never ever set up a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market possession, much better monetization devices, no platform costs, and much more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even help you warm it up for much better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, references, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all indigenous features.