If you’re even from another location into email e-newsletters, you’ve possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something different regarding this platform, something that makes designers like you stop, take a breath, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Publications…
I have actually been specifically where you are. Trying to select the best email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. Yet after virtually ten years helpful people navigate email marketing and two years running my own newsletter, I lastly took the plunge and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I really did not just mess around. I moved everything over. Below’s why you may want to do the exact same.
Why I Dumped Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They’ve got a tidy user interface and a faithful community of writers. Yet when it concerns money making and audience possession, they falter. Tough.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You recognize that little “follow” feature on Substack? It sounds cool theoretically, right? Like, much more exposure, even more engagement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “followers” aren’t actual subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can’t contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever before choose to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So primarily, you’re constructing a list … that you don’t possess.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv and even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is yours. You can take it with you. You can construct a real connection. That’s just how it ought to be.
The Hidden Price of Convenience
Currently let’s talk cash. Each time a person spends 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 client? You’re swiping just over $6. Not dreadful … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform costs. Just Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That added money builds up fast, specifically if you’re preparing to expand or generate income from seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to develop a business (also a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating into your revenues before you also begin.
What It’s Really Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re worried that migrating your listing or establishing automations will certainly be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the entire ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: damaged kinds, ghosted clients, styling headaches. Yet with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking practical video clips, clear walkthroughs, and actual support when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of just tossing your email domain into the wild (and praying you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain name utilizing their very own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, actually smart.
And importing my list? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No subscribers vanishing into the void. Also connecting my website was fine– all right, the styling took a bit of effort, but hey, no platform’s best.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. Yet it’s great. Actually excellent.
You can drag, go down, design, and sneak peek easily. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll probably love it. Wish to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly advise you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I have actually had actually magnificently written newsletters get cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
Yet I discovered a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML dimension before sending out. It’s a bit hand-operated, sure, once you master it, you’ll stay clear of the dreadful clipping issue.
Growing Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely beams.
It’s like they really want you to grow your audience. Stunning, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your current customers generate brand-new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a free gift? Offer a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of various other newsletters’ audiences. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: More Cash, Less Migraines
This was among the most significant factors I moved to Beehiiv, I wanted to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Built-in advertisement network that links you with actual sponsors.
Personalized paid memberships with complete control.
Boosts for getting traffic or earning by promoting others.
3 months in, I was already gaining greater than I ever did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: the majority of newsletter tools don’t care regarding your landing page. But Beehiiv? They offer you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, contemporary homepage
- Archive pages for your previous problems
- Customized types, branding and Beehiiv Publications
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but also for a lot of makers, it’s more than enough. And it just functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or broken embeds. Simply 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 prices. You get genuine understandings:.
Where customers originated from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, fine-tune, and optimize every step of your funnel, from form to open up to buy. Which kind of exposure? Priceless when you’re trying to grow on purpose.
What Beehiiv Can Improve?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s got area to expand. Right here’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the strange side cases.
Yet right here’s the thing, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually already seen updates roll out based on individual responses, and that’s a really excellent indication.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Publications
If you’re a creator, writer, or indie author who desires:
- To expand your listing fast,
- To keep complete possession of your subscribers,
- To in fact make money without system charges,
- And to not battle with clunky e-mail contractors …
Then of course, you ought to definitely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s except every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want advanced CRM automations, perhaps look elsewhere. But if you’re building a community, a personal brand name, or a passion task?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing e-mail listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV headaches right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Simply the standard Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv good for novices?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and easy, even if you have actually never ever established an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Target market possession, far better monetization devices, no platform fees, and more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I utilize my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even assist you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all indigenous features.