If you’re also remotely into e-mail e-newsletters, you have actually most likely listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply hype. There’s something different about this system, something that makes designers like you quit, breathe, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Premium Only Subscription…
I’ve been exactly where you are. Attempting to choose the right email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. But after nearly ten years of helping individuals navigate email marketing and 2 years running my own newsletter, I finally took the plunge and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I didn’t simply dabble. I relocated every little thing over. Right here’s why you could intend to do the very same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a tidy interface and a loyal community of authors. Yet when it concerns monetization and audience ownership, they drop the ball. Tough.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Own Your Target Market on Substack
You know that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It appears trendy on paper, right? Like, much more exposure, more involvement?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “followers” aren’t actual customers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your e-mails in their inbox. You can’t call them directly. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So basically, you’re developing a list … that you don’t possess.
Now compare that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When someone subscribes, that email is your own. You can take it with you. You can build an actual connection. That’s just how it should be.
The Hidden Cost of Comfort
Currently let’s speak cash. Whenever somebody pays for your e-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 dreadful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That additional money builds up quick, especially if you’re preparing to grow or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re going to construct a service (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your earnings prior to you also start.
What It’s In Fact Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re worried that migrating your checklist or setting up automations will be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the whole ESP shuffle before. You know the drill: damaged types, ghosted customers, styling nightmares. However with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting useful video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine support when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain
One point that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of simply tossing your e-mail domain into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name using their very own facilities. It’s clever. Like, really clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No fashionable CSV problems. No clients disappearing right into deep space. Even attaching my site was fine– okay, the designing took a bit of effort, but hey, no platform’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s great. Truly good.
You can drag, go down, style, and preview with ease. If you’re refraining anything too design-heavy, you’ll possibly like it. Wish to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly alert you when you’re close to that limitation. So yeah, I have actually had beautifully written e-newsletters get cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
Yet I located a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size prior to sending. It’s a bit manual, sure, but once you master it, you’ll prevent the feared clipping concern.
Expanding Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Actual Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely radiates.
It’s like they in fact want you to expand your audience. Surprising, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your present subscribers generate new ones– and it in fact functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Want to run a free gift? Offer 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 other newsletters’ audiences. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Cash, Less Frustrations
This was among the greatest reasons I relocated to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Integrated advertisement network that attaches you with actual enrollers.
Customizable paid subscriptions with complete control.
Boosts for getting web traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was already gaining more than I ever before did on my old system and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: the majority of e-newsletter tools don’t care about your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous problems
- Personalized forms, branding and Beehiiv Premium Only Subscription
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for many designers, it’s more than enough. And it simply works. No messy DNS configs or busted embeds. Just connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not just get open and click rates. You get actual insights:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every step of your funnel, from type to available to buy. And that type of exposure? Invaluable when you’re trying to expand intentionally.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained room to expand. Right here’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a little bit stiff. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the odd edge instances.
Yet here’s the thing, Beehiiv actually listens. I’ve currently seen updates turn out based upon user comments, which’s a truly great indicator.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv Premium Only Subscription
If you’re a maker, author, or indie author who wants:
- To expand your listing fast,
- To keep complete possession of your customers,
- To actually earn money without platform penalties,
- And to not combat with confusing email builders …
After that yes, you ought to definitely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want advanced CRM automations, maybe look somewhere else. But if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand, or an enthusiasm job?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
FAQs Concerning
1. Can I move my existing e-mail checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully supported. No CSV problems here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Just the standard Stripe 3% cost. The remainder is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding process 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 possession, much better money making devices, no system fees, and a lot more list-growth choices.
5. Can I use my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll also assist you heat it up for far better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, ad networks and paid registrations are all native features.