If you’re even from another location into email newsletters, you’ve possibly 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, take a breath, and say, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Beehiiv TWIST…
I’ve been exactly where you are. Attempting to choose the appropriate e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. Yet after virtually ten years of helping individuals navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own newsletter, I lastly took the plunge and gave Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness test run.
And looter: I really did not just dabble. I relocated every little thing over. Below’s why you may wish to do the very same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re reputable. They’ve obtained a clean user interface and a dedicated community of writers. But when it concerns monetization and audience possession, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me break it down.
You Do not Very Own Your Audience on Substack
You know that little “follow” feature on Substack? It appears trendy on paper, right? Like, a lot more exposure, even more involvement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “fans” aren’t genuine subscribers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not get your e-mails in their inbox. You can’t contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So primarily, you’re building a checklist … that you do not own.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When someone subscribes, that e-mail is yours. You can take it with you. You can build an actual partnership. That’s exactly how it needs to be.
The Hidden Cost of Ease
Now let’s chat cash. Whenever somebody pays for your e-newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% straight off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 customer? You’re pocketing just over $6. Not dreadful … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That added cash builds up fast, specifically if you’re preparing to expand or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to construct a service (also a side one), you require a system 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 configuration. If you’re fretted that migrating your checklist or establishing automations will be a discomfort … do not be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You understand the drill: busted kinds, ghosted clients, styling headaches. Yet with Beehiiv, things went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking handy video clips, clear walkthroughs, and actual assistance when you need it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. Rather than simply throwing your email domain into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly presents your domain using their own framework. It’s wise. Like, truly smart.
And importing my list? Smooth. No cool CSV issues. No customers disappearing into deep space. Even attaching my site was fine– alright, the designing took a little effort, however hey, no platform’s perfect.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s great. Really good.
You can drag, go down, style, and preview with ease. If you’re refraining anything too design-heavy, you’ll possibly love it. Wish to drop in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Cutting Monster
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t always caution you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I’ve had actually wonderfully written newsletters obtain chopped off mid-sentence. Not fun.
Yet I found a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML size before sending. It’s a bit hands-on, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll prevent the feared clipping issue.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they really want you to grow your target market. Shocking, best?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your current clients bring in brand-new ones– and it in fact functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable referrals baked right into the system.
Wish to run a giveaway? Offer a benefit 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’ target markets. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Money, Less Migraines
This was just one of the greatest reasons I transferred to Beehiiv, I intended to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform costs. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that links you with genuine sponsors.
Personalized paid subscriptions with complete control.
Boosts for acquiring website traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was currently earning more than I ever did on my old system and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be straightforward: the majority of e-newsletter tools do not care concerning your landing page. But Beehiiv? They offer you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past concerns
- Personalized types, branding and Beehiiv TWIST
It’s not a full-on CMS, however, for a lot of designers, it’s sufficient. And it simply functions. No messy DNS configs or busted embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not just obtain open and click prices. You obtain real understandings:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and optimize every step of your funnel, from form to open to acquire. Which sort of exposure? Valuable when you’re attempting to grow deliberately.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No platform is excellent, and Beehiiv’s got space to expand. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults require some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some ecommerce features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the weird side cases.
However below’s the thing, Beehiiv in fact listens. I’ve already seen updates turn out based upon customer responses, which’s an actually good sign.
All-time Low Line: Beehiiv TWIST
If you’re a designer, author, or indie author who wants:
- To grow your checklist quick,
- To maintain complete possession of your clients,
- To really make money without platform fines,
- And to not battle with clunky e-mail building contractors …
After that yes, you ought to definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everybody. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire advanced CRM automations, maybe look in other places. However if you’re developing a community, an individual brand name, or a passion project?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I move my existing e-mail checklist to Beehiiv?
Yes! Movement is smooth and totally sustained. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Simply the common Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv good for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding process is clear and easy, even if you have actually never set up an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience possession, better monetization devices, no system fees, and extra list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my own domain name?
Yes. And they’ll even assist you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist integrated monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, advertisement networks and paid memberships are all indigenous features.