If you’re even remotely right into email e-newsletters, you’ve most likely listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something different regarding this platform, something that makes creators like you stop, breathe, and state, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Referral Program…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Attempting to select the best email device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. Yet after almost 10 years of helping individuals navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my own e-newsletter, I ultimately started and provided Beehiiv a correct, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And looter: I didn’t just mess around. I moved everything over. Below’s why you may intend to do the same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They’ve obtained a tidy interface and a devoted community of authors. However when it comes to money making and target market possession, they falter. Tough.
Let me simplify.
You Don’t Own Your Target Market on Substack
You recognize that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It seems cool on paper, right? Like, more exposure, more engagement?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “fans” aren’t actual subscribers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your e-mails in their inbox. You can not call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So essentially, you’re building a listing … that you don’t possess.
Now contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can build a genuine connection. That’s just how it should be.
The Hidden Expense of Convenience
Now let’s chat cash. Whenever somebody spends 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 client? You’re swiping just over $6. Not terrible … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the remainder. That added cash money builds up quickly, especially if you’re intending to expand or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re going to build an organization (also a side one), you require a system that’s not eating right into your revenues prior to you also begin.
What It’s Really Like Beginning on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk arrangement. If you’re fretted that migrating your listing or establishing automations will be a pain … don’t be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: damaged types, ghosted subscribers, styling nightmares. But with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking practical videos, clear walkthroughs, and genuine 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 name right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain using their very own infrastructure. It’s wise. Like, actually wise.
And importing my checklist? Smooth. No fashionable CSV problems. No clients vanishing right into deep space. Even linking my website was fine– fine, the designing took a little effort, yet hey, no platform’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t remarkable. But it’s great. Truly excellent.
You can drag, drop, design, and sneak peek with ease. If you’re refraining anything also design-heavy, you’ll possibly like it. Want to drop in an ad block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly advise you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had actually magnificently created newsletters get cut off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I found a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to examine HTML size before sending. It’s a bit manual, sure, once you master it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping problem.
Expanding Your List with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv absolutely shines.
It resembles they actually desire you to expand your audience. Surprising, ideal?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your existing customers bring in brand-new ones– and it actually functions. No janky third-party hacks. Just tidy, trackable referrals baked right into the system.
Want to run a free gift? Offer an incentive 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 other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Money, Fewer Headaches
This was one of the greatest reasons I transferred to Beehiiv, I wanted to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform fees. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated advertisement network that connects you with genuine enrollers.
Adjustable paid memberships with full control.
Boosts for purchasing traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was already gaining more than I ever did on my old platform and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: many newsletter tools uncommitted concerning your landing page. However Beehiiv? They provide you a whole mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, modern homepage
- Archive web pages for your previous concerns
- Personalized forms, branding and Beehiiv Referral Program
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but also for many designers, it’s ample. And it simply works. No unpleasant DNS configs or busted embeds. Just connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not simply get open and click rates. You obtain genuine understandings:.
Where subscribers came from.
Which referral sources are working.
How much cash you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and optimize every action of your funnel, from kind to open up to buy. And that kind of presence? Invaluable when you’re trying to grow intentionally.
What Beehiiv Might Boost?
No system is best, and Beehiiv’s obtained area to expand. Here’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One form = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss some e-commerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the weird edge situations.
But here’s things, Beehiiv in fact pays attention. I have actually already seen updates turn out based on customer responses, which’s an actually good sign.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Referral Program
If you’re a designer, author, or indie publisher who desires:
- To expand your list fast,
- To maintain complete ownership of your clients,
- To actually earn money without system penalties,
- And to not battle with confusing email home builders …
After that of course, you need to absolutely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire advanced CRM automations, possibly look somewhere else. However if you’re building a community, a personal brand, or a passion project?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV headaches here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the basic Stripe 3% charge. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for novices?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and very easy, even if you have actually never established a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Audience possession, much better money making tools, no platform fees, and more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even assist you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all native features.