If you’re even remotely right into e-mail newsletters, you have actually possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something various concerning this platform, something that makes makers like you stop, breathe, and claim, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv Themes…
I have actually been exactly where you are. Attempting to choose the ideal e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. Yet after nearly 10 years of helping people browse e-mail marketing and 2 years running my own e-newsletter, I ultimately started and provided Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness test run.
And spoiler: I didn’t simply dabble. I moved whatever over. Below’s why you may intend to do the very same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They’ve got a clean user interface and a loyal community of writers. Yet when it comes to monetization and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me simplify.
You Don’t Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “adhere to” feature on Substack? It sounds amazing on paper, right? Like, a lot more visibility, more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t genuine clients. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can not contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever before determine to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So essentially, you’re constructing a list … that you don’t possess.
Now compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that email is your own. You can take it with you. You can construct a real relationship. That’s how it ought to be.
The Hidden Price of Ease
Now let’s chat cash. Every 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 stealing simply over $6. Not terrible … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That additional cash builds up quick, especially if you’re planning to expand or generate income from seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to develop a company (even a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating right into your earnings before you even begin.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk arrangement. If you’re stressed that migrating your listing or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … don’t be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: broken kinds, ghosted customers, styling nightmares. Yet with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking helpful videos, clear walkthroughs, and genuine support when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. As opposed to simply throwing your e-mail domain name right into the wild (and hoping you do not land in spam), Beehiiv progressively presents your domain name utilizing their own facilities. It’s smart. Like, really smart.
And importing my list? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No subscribers going away right into the void. Even linking my website was great– alright, the designing took a little elbow grease, but hey, no system’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t perfect. Yet it’s great. Actually good.
You can drag, go down, style, and sneak peek effortlessly. If you’re refraining from doing anything as well design-heavy, you’ll possibly like it. Want to decrease in an ad block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly advise you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had wonderfully composed e-newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
But I discovered a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size prior to sending. It’s a bit manual, certain, once you master it, you’ll stay clear of the dreaded clipping problem.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely beams.
It’s like they in fact desire you to grow your target market. Surprising, appropriate?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your existing customers bring in new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Just clean, trackable referrals baked right into the system.
Intend to run a free gift? Deal an incentive for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that very easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of other e-newsletters’ audiences. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: Even More Money, Less Migraines
This was among the most significant factors I relocated to Beehiiv, I wished to monetize smarter, not harder.
No platform costs. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated advertisement network that links you with genuine enrollers.
Adjustable paid registrations with complete control.
Boosts for acquiring website traffic or earning by promoting others.
Three months in, I was already gaining greater than I ever did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Web Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: a lot of e-newsletter tools uncommitted concerning your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They give you a whole mini-website.
You obtain:
- A tidy, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past concerns
- Custom forms, branding and Beehiiv Themes
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for the majority of developers, it’s sufficient. And it just works. No untidy DNS configs or damaged embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not simply obtain open and click prices. You get real insights:.
Where subscribers originated from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and optimize every action of your funnel, from form to open to purchase. Which type of visibility? Priceless when you’re trying to expand intentionally.
What Beehiiv Might Improve?
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got area to expand. Below’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some TLC.
You’ll miss some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the weird edge cases.
However right here’s things, Beehiiv in fact pays attention. I’ve currently seen updates present based upon user responses, which’s a really great indication.
The Bottom Line: Beehiiv Themes
If you’re a creator, writer, or indie author who wants:
- To grow your checklist fast,
- To maintain complete possession of your clients,
- To actually make money without platform penalties,
- And to not combat with cumbersome e-mail building contractors …
Then of course, you ought to definitely give Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce store or want advanced CRM automations, perhaps look elsewhere. However if you’re developing a community, an individual brand, or an interest project?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
FAQs About
1. Can I move my existing email checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and totally supported. No CSV nightmares right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Simply the standard Stripe 3% charge. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv good for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and very easy, even if you have actually never established a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience possession, better money making devices, no platform charges, and a lot more list-growth alternatives.
5. Can I use my very own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll also aid you warm it up for much better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, references, advertisement networks and paid memberships are all indigenous features.