If you’re also remotely into e-mail e-newsletters, you have actually possibly heard the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something various about this platform, something that makes designers like you stop, breathe, and claim, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Ben’s Bites Beehiiv…
I have actually been exactly where you are. Trying to select the appropriate e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a couple of months. Yet after almost ten years of helping people navigate e-mail marketing and 2 years running my very own newsletter, I ultimately took the plunge and provided Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And looter: I really did not just mess around. I relocated whatever over. Here’s why you might want to do the same.
Why I Dropped Substack and Why You Might Wish to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t negative. They’re reputable. They’ve got a clean interface and a devoted community of authors. Yet when it pertains to monetization and target market ownership, they falter. Hard.
Let me simplify.
You Do not Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You know that little “follow” feature on Substack? It appears cool on paper, right? Like, much more visibility, even more interaction?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t real customers. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled yard. 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 primarily, you’re constructing a listing … that you do not own.
Now compare that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can build a genuine relationship. That’s just how it must be.
The Hidden Cost of Comfort
Now let’s speak cash. Each time a person 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 client? You’re stealing just over $6. Not awful … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You keep the rest. That added money builds up quick, particularly if you’re intending to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to develop an organization (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your earnings before you also begin.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk configuration. If you’re worried that moving your listing or setting up automations will certainly be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: broken types, ghosted clients, styling headaches. Yet with Beehiiv, points went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking useful videos, clear walkthroughs, and actual support when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain name
Something that blew me away was domain name warming. Rather than simply tossing your e-mail domain right into the wild (and hoping you don’t land in spam), Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain name using their own infrastructure. It’s wise. Like, really wise.
And importing my list? Smooth. No cool CSV problems. No subscribers vanishing right into deep space. Even linking my site was fine– all right, the designing 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 flawless. Yet it’s good. Really great.
You can drag, drop, design, and preview easily. If you’re refraining from doing anything too design-heavy, you’ll most likely enjoy it. Wish to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Trimming Monster
Now, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly caution you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had beautifully written newsletters get sliced off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
But I located a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML dimension before sending out. It’s a bit hand-operated, sure, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreadful clipping issue.
Growing Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Real Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely shines.
It resembles they really want you to grow your audience. Surprising, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your present customers generate brand-new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the platform.
Wish to run a giveaway? Offer a benefit for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that simple.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of various other e-newsletters’ audiences. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: Even More Cash, Less Frustrations
This was among the largest factors I transferred to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that links you with actual sponsors.
Adjustable paid memberships with complete control.
Boosts for getting website traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was already gaining greater than I ever before did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be sincere: many newsletter devices uncommitted about your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They provide you a whole mini-website.
You obtain:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past issues
- Personalized types, branding and Ben’s Bites Beehiiv
It’s not a full-blown CMS, however, for most creators, it’s sufficient. And it simply functions. No messy DNS configs or damaged embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That Actually Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not just obtain open and click rates. You obtain genuine insights:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much money you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and optimize every action of your funnel, from kind to open up to buy. And that kind of visibility? Valuable when you’re attempting to expand intentionally.
What Beehiiv Might Boost?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s got space to grow. Right here’s what to watch out for:.
The automation system is a little bit stiff. One form = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some e-commerce features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be quicker on the unusual side situations.
Yet right here’s the important things, Beehiiv really pays attention. I’ve currently seen updates turn out based upon customer feedback, which’s a truly great indicator.
The Bottom Line: Ben’s Bites Beehiiv
If you’re a maker, writer, or indie author who desires:
- To expand your listing quick,
- To maintain complete ownership of your customers,
- To actually make money without platform fines,
- And to not battle with clunky e-mail home builders …
Then indeed, you should definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want sophisticated CRM automations, perhaps look somewhere else. Yet if you’re building a community, a personal brand name, or a passion project?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs Regarding
1. Can I move my existing e-mail list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and completely sustained. No CSV problems below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid memberships?
Nope. Just the conventional Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all yours.
3. Is Beehiiv great for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and very easy, even if you have actually never established a newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience ownership, better monetization devices, no system charges, and extra list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also help you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Are there integrated monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, advertisement networks and paid subscriptions are all indigenous features.