If you’re also from another location into email newsletters, you have actually possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv lately. And no, it’s not just hype. There’s something different concerning this platform, something that makes developers like you stop, take a breath, and say, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Bullseye Beehiiv…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Trying to pick the right e-mail tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a couple of months. But after virtually 10 years of helping people browse e-mail marketing and two years running my own e-newsletter, I finally took the plunge and gave Beehiiv a correct, genuine test run.
And spoiler: I didn’t just mess around. I relocated every little thing over. Below’s why you could intend to do the very same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually got a tidy user interface and a faithful community of writers. But when it concerns money making and target market possession, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me simplify.
You Don’t Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It seems awesome on paper, right? Like, much more presence, more interaction?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “followers” aren’t real clients. They’re secured inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t get your emails in their inbox. You can not call them straight. And worst of all? If you ever before make a decision to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So basically, you’re building a checklist … that you do not have.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When someone subscribes, that e-mail is your own. You can take it with you. You can construct an actual partnership. That’s how it should be.
The Hidden Expense of Convenience
Currently let’s speak money. Each time someone spends for your 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 taking simply over $6. Not terrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No system costs. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That added cash money accumulates quickly, particularly if you’re preparing to expand or monetize seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to develop a business (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating into your revenues before you also begin.
What It’s Actually Like Beginning 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 whole ESP shuffle prior to. You recognize the drill: busted forms, ghosted customers, styling problems. However with Beehiiv, points went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting handy videos, clear walkthroughs, and actual assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain name
One thing that blew me away was domain warming. Instead of just throwing your email domain right into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv slowly introduces your domain using their very own infrastructure. It’s smart. Like, really clever.
And importing my listing? Smooth. No cool CSV concerns. No subscribers vanishing right into the void. Even connecting my site was fine– all right, the styling took a little bit of effort, but hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. Yet it’s great. Truly great.
You can drag, drop, design, and preview effortlessly. If you’re not doing anything as well design-heavy, you’ll probably enjoy it. Want to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller area? Easy.
Keep an eye out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly caution you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had actually beautifully created e-newsletters obtain cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
But I found a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML size prior to sending. It’s a little bit hand-operated, sure, once you master it, you’ll prevent the feared clipping concern.
Expanding Your Listing with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Tools
This is where Beehiiv definitely beams.
It’s like they in fact want you to expand your audience. Stunning, ideal?
Referral Programs That Job
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program lets your present subscribers bring in new ones– and it actually functions. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Wish to run a free gift? Deal a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that easy.
And with their Boosts feature (basically a paid referral program), you can pay to get in front of various other e-newsletters’ target markets. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: More Cash, Fewer Migraines
This was one of the largest factors I relocated to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system costs. Tidy integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that attaches you with actual sponsors.
Adjustable paid memberships with full control.
Boosts for buying website traffic or earning by advertising others.
3 months in, I was already making greater than I ever did on my old platform and with much less effort.
Your Beehiiv Internet Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: the majority of newsletter tools do not care about your landing page. But Beehiiv? They provide you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, contemporary homepage
- Archive pages for your past problems
- Custom-made kinds, branding and Bullseye Beehiiv
It’s not a full-on CMS, but for a lot of makers, it’s more than enough. And it just works. No unpleasant DNS configs or busted embeds. Just plug it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You don’t just obtain open and click rates. You obtain genuine insights:.
Where customers originated from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and maximize every step of your funnel, from kind to open to acquire. Which sort of exposure? Valuable when you’re trying to grow intentionally.
What Beehiiv Might Enhance?
No system is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained area to grow. Below’s what to keep an eye out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One type = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
You’ll miss some shopping features if you’re running a shop (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Support could be much faster on the unusual side situations.
But right here’s the thing, Beehiiv really pays attention. I’ve already seen updates present based upon customer responses, and that’s a really great indication.
The Bottom Line: Bullseye Beehiiv
If you’re a maker, author, or indie publisher who wants:
- To expand your listing fast,
- To keep complete ownership of your customers,
- To actually make money without platform charges,
- And to not battle with cumbersome email building contractors …
Then indeed, you must absolutely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire advanced CRM automations, perhaps look somewhere else. Yet if you’re developing a community, a personal brand name, or a passion project?
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 completely supported. No CSV problems right here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Just the typical Stripe 3% fee. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for newbies?
Definitely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you have actually never set up an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market ownership, far better money making tools, no platform charges, and a lot more list-growth options.
5. Can I use my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even assist you warm it up for far better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in money making devices?
Yes! Boosts, recommendations, advertisement networks and paid registrations are all native features.