If you’re even remotely right into email newsletters, you’ve probably heard the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not simply buzz. There’s something various about this platform, something that makes creators like you stop, breathe, and claim, “Stand up … could this be the one?” Katherine Rundell Beehiiv…
I have actually been exactly where you are. Trying to select the appropriate e-mail device. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. Yet after virtually 10 years of helping people navigate e-mail marketing and two years running my own newsletter, I finally started and provided Beehiiv a proper, genuine trial run.
And looter: I didn’t simply dabble. I moved whatever over. Below’s why you could want to do the same.
Why I Abandoned Substack and Why You May Intend to?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t bad. They’re well-established. They have actually obtained a clean interface and a loyal community of authors. However when it involves money making and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Hard.
Let me break it down.
You Don’t Very Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “follow” feature on Substack? It sounds awesome on paper, right? Like, much more visibility, more interaction?
Yeah … not precisely.
See, those “followers” aren’t real customers. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled garden. They don’t obtain your e-mails in their inbox. You can’t contact them straight. And worst of all? If you ever before choose to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So essentially, you’re building a listing … that you don’t have.
Currently compare that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When somebody subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can construct a real relationship. That’s exactly how it needs to be.
The Hidden Price of Benefit
Now let’s chat money. Every single time someone spends for your newsletter on Substack, you shed 13% right off the top. That’s 10% to Substack and 3% to Stripe.
So your $7 customer? You’re taking simply over $6. Not horrible … up until you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Just Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the rest. That extra cash money accumulates quick, especially if you’re planning to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re going to build a company (even a side one), you need a system that’s not eating right into your earnings before you even start.
What It’s In Fact Like Getting Going on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re fretted that migrating your listing or establishing automations will certainly be a discomfort … do not be.
I have actually done the entire ESP shuffle before. You know the drill: damaged kinds, ghosted customers, styling headaches. Yet with Beehiiv, points went remarkably smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m talking practical video clips, clear walkthroughs, and genuine assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. Instead of just throwing your e-mail domain into the wild (and hoping you do not land in spam), Beehiiv gradually presents your domain utilizing their own facilities. It’s clever. Like, actually smart.
And importing my list? Smooth. No cool CSV concerns. No clients going away right into deep space. Even linking my website was fine– okay, the designing took a little bit of elbow grease, however hey, no system’s best.
The Email Builder: Respectable (With Some Caveats)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the e-mail builder isn’t remarkable. However it’s great. Truly excellent.
You can drag, drop, style, and preview effortlessly. If you’re refraining anything also design-heavy, you’ll possibly love it. Intend to decrease in an advertisement block? Done. Required a callout or a sponsor area? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Cutting Beast
Currently, a word of warning: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv doesn’t constantly advise you when you’re close to that restriction. So yeah, I have actually had wonderfully written e-newsletters get chopped off mid-sentence. Not enjoyable.
Yet I located a workaround: utilizing Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to check HTML dimension before sending out. It’s a little bit hand-operated, certain, once you get the hang of it, you’ll avoid the dreaded clipping concern.
Expanding Your List with Beehiiv: Finally, Some Actual Devices
This is where Beehiiv definitely radiates.
It resembles they in fact want you to expand your audience. Shocking, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s built-in referral program allows your current customers bring in brand-new ones– and it actually works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply tidy, trackable references baked right into the system.
Want to run a giveaway? Offer a perk for signups? Done. Beehiiv makes that easy.
And with their Boosts feature (essentially a paid referral program), you can pay to enter front of various other e-newsletters’ audiences. Consider it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Monetization: Even More Money, Less Frustrations
This was one of the largest reasons I moved to Beehiiv, I wished to monetize smarter, not harder.
No system costs. Clean integration with Stripe. Plus:.
Built-in ad network that connects you with genuine sponsors.
Customizable paid registrations with full control.
Boosts for acquiring traffic or earning by promoting others.
3 months in, I was already gaining more than I ever before did on my old system and with less effort.
Your Beehiiv Web Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be truthful: many newsletter devices uncommitted concerning your landing page. However Beehiiv? They offer you a whole mini-website.
You get:
- A clean, modern-day homepage
- Archive pages for your past concerns
- Custom-made forms, branding and Katherine Rundell Beehiiv
It’s not a full-on CMS, but for a lot of makers, it’s sufficient. And it simply functions. No messy DNS configs or broken embeds. Simply connect it in and go.
Analytics That Really Mean Something
Beehiiv’s analytics are cook’s kiss. You do not simply obtain open and click prices. You obtain genuine understandings:.
Where clients came from.
Which referral sources are functioning.
How much money you’ve made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and enhance every step of your funnel, from kind to open up to acquire. Which sort of visibility? Valuable when you’re trying to grow deliberately.
What Beehiiv Can Boost?
No platform is ideal, and Beehiiv’s obtained space to grow. Below’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a little bit stiff. One form = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults need some TLC.
You’ll miss out on some e-commerce features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be much faster on the unusual edge cases.
However here’s the important things, Beehiiv really pays attention. I have actually currently seen updates roll out based on user feedback, which’s a truly excellent sign.
The Bottom Line: Katherine Rundell Beehiiv
If you’re a maker, writer, or indie publisher who desires:
- To grow your listing quickly,
- To maintain complete ownership of your customers,
- To actually generate income without system penalties,
- And to not combat with confusing e-mail builders …
After that yes, you should definitely offer Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for everyone. If you’re running an ecommerce store or desire innovative CRM automations, maybe look somewhere else. Yet if you’re developing a community, a personal brand, or an enthusiasm job?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
FAQs About
1. Can I migrate my existing e-mail listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and totally sustained. No CSV nightmares here.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Just the common Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv good for newbies?
Absolutely. The onboarding procedure is clear and very easy, even if you have actually never set up an e-newsletter before.
4. What makes Beehiiv far better than Substack?
Target market ownership, better monetization devices, no platform costs, and much more list-growth options.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also aid you heat it up for better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in money making tools?
Yes! Boosts, referrals, ad networks and paid registrations are all native features.