If you’re even remotely into email newsletters, you’ve possibly listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something different concerning this platform, something that makes designers like you stop, breathe, and state, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Invest in Beehiiv…
I have actually been specifically where you are. Trying to choose the ideal email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll regret in a few months. Yet after virtually one decade of helping individuals browse email marketing and two years running my own e-newsletter, I ultimately took the plunge and gave Beehiiv an appropriate, honest-to-goodness test run.
And looter: I didn’t just mess around. I moved everything over. Here’s why you may want to do the same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t negative. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a tidy interface and a faithful community of writers. But when it pertains to monetization and audience possession, they drop the ball. Tough.
Let me simplify.
You Don’t Very Own Your Target Market on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It appears great theoretically, right? Like, a lot more visibility, more interaction?
Yeah … not specifically.
See, those “followers” aren’t real subscribers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They do not obtain your e-mails in their inbox. You can’t call them directly. And worst of all? If you ever decide to leave Substack, you can’t take them with you.
So primarily, you’re developing a listing … that you do not have.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or perhaps Ghost. When a person subscribes, that e-mail is yours. You can take it with you. You can develop an actual connection. That’s just how it must be.
The Hidden Price of Comfort
Currently let’s chat cash. Whenever a person spends 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 subscriber? You’re swiping just over $6. Not horrible … until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform charges. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That added money accumulates quick, particularly if you’re preparing to expand or generate income from seriously.
And honestly, if you’re mosting likely to build a service (even a side one), you require a platform that’s not eating into your revenues before you also start.
What It’s Really Like Starting on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re fretted that migrating your list or setting up automations will be a discomfort … do not be.
I’ve done the whole ESP shuffle prior to. You understand the drill: damaged forms, ghosted subscribers, styling headaches. Yet with Beehiiv, points went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m chatting helpful videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Establishing Your Domain name
Something that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of just tossing your email domain name right into the wild (and praying you do not land in spam), Beehiiv progressively introduces your domain utilizing their own infrastructure. It’s clever. Like, really wise.
And importing my list? Smooth. No cool CSV concerns. No clients vanishing right into the void. Also linking my site was fine– fine, the designing took a little bit of effort, but hey, no platform’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t perfect. However it’s excellent. Actually excellent.
You can drag, drop, design, and preview effortlessly. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll possibly like it. Wish to drop in an ad block? Done. Need a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Trimming Beast
Now, a word of caution: Gmail clips e-mails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly caution you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I have actually had actually beautifully created newsletters get cut off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I located a workaround: making use of Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML dimension before sending. It’s a bit manual, sure, but once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping issue.
Expanding Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Ultimately, Some Real Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely shines.
It’s like they really want you to expand your audience. Shocking, ideal?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program lets your current customers generate brand-new ones– and it in fact works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable recommendations baked right into the system.
Intend 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 other e-newsletters’ target markets. Think about it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: Even More Money, Less Headaches
This was among the most significant factors I moved to Beehiiv, I intended to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system fees. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that connects you with real sponsors.
Personalized paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for getting website traffic or earning by promoting others.
3 months in, I was currently making greater than I ever before did on my old system and with much less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Web Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: the majority of e-newsletter tools don’t care concerning your landing page. But Beehiiv? They give you an entire mini-website.
You obtain:
- A tidy, modern-day homepage
- Archive web pages for your past issues
- Customized forms, branding and Invest in Beehiiv
It’s not a full-on CMS, but also for the majority of developers, it’s sufficient. And it just functions. No messy DNS configs or busted embeds. Simply plug it in and go.
Analytics That In Fact Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are chef’s kiss. You do not just obtain open and click rates. You get real insights:.
Where clients originated from.
Which referral resources are functioning.
How much cash you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, tweak, and enhance every action of your funnel, from kind to open up to purchase. And that kind of presence? Invaluable when you’re trying to expand purposefully.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s got area to expand. Here’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a bit stiff. One type = one automation? Meh.
The e-mail builder’s defaults need some tender loving care.
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 strange edge situations.
But here’s the important things, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually currently seen updates present based upon customer responses, and that’s a truly excellent indicator.
All-time Low Line: Invest in Beehiiv
If you’re a developer, writer, or indie author who desires:
- To grow your list fast,
- To keep complete possession of your clients,
- To actually make money without system charges,
- And to not combat with cumbersome email contractors …
After that indeed, you must absolutely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or desire advanced CRM automations, maybe look elsewhere. Yet if you’re building a community, an individual brand name, or an enthusiasm project?
Beehiiv’s got your back.
Frequently Asked Questions About
1. Can I migrate my existing email list to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV nightmares below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid subscriptions?
Nope. Just the basic Stripe 3% charge. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv great for beginners?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and easy, even if you’ve never set up a newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv better than Substack?
Target market ownership, better money making tools, no platform costs, and extra list-growth options.
5. Can I utilize my own domain?
Yes. And they’ll even help you warm it up for far better deliverability.
6. Are there built-in monetization tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, advertisement networks and paid subscriptions are all native features.