If you’re also remotely right into e-mail e-newsletters, you have actually probably listened to the buzz around Beehiiv recently. And no, it’s not just buzz. There’s something various regarding this system, something that makes makers like you quit, breathe, and state, “Hold up … could this be the one?” Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Operator…
I’ve been precisely where you are. Trying to pick the appropriate email tool. Wondering if I’m making a move I’ll be sorry for in a few months. However after nearly 10 years helpful people navigate email marketing and two years running my own newsletter, I lastly started and gave Beehiiv a proper, honest-to-goodness trial run.
And looter: I didn’t just dabble. I moved every little thing over. Right here’s why you might wish to do the very same.
Why I Dumped Substack and Why You Might Want To?
Let’s be real, Substack isn’t poor. They’re well-established. They’ve obtained a clean user interface and a faithful community of writers. But when it involves money making and target market ownership, they drop the ball. Difficult.
Let me simplify.
You Do not Own Your Audience on Substack
You understand that little “comply with” feature on Substack? It appears cool on paper, right? Like, extra presence, more engagement?
Yeah … not exactly.
See, those “fans” aren’t real clients. They’re locked inside Substack’s little walled yard. They do not obtain your emails in their inbox. You can’t contact them directly. And worst of all? If you ever before make a decision to leave Substack, you can not take them with you.
So generally, you’re building a checklist … that you do not own.
Currently contrast that to Beehiiv or even Ghost. When a person subscribes, that email is yours. You can take it with you. You can develop a genuine partnership. That’s how it should be.
The Hidden Expense of Ease
Now let’s talk money. Every time a person pays for your e-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 pocketing simply over $6. Not horrible … till you scale.
With Beehiiv? No platform fees. Simply Stripe’s 3%. You maintain the remainder. That additional cash builds up quickly, particularly if you’re planning to expand or monetize seriously.
And truthfully, if you’re mosting likely to develop an organization (also a side one), you need a platform that’s not eating into your profits before you also start.
What It’s Actually Like Getting Started on Beehiiv
Alright, so let’s talk setup. If you’re stressed that moving your listing or setting up automations will be a pain … do not be.
I have actually done the whole ESP shuffle before. You recognize the drill: broken forms, ghosted clients, styling nightmares. However with Beehiiv, points went surprisingly smooth.
Their onboarding? Top-tier. I’m speaking helpful videos, clear walkthroughs, and real assistance when you require it.
Setting Up Your Domain
One thing that blew me away was domain name warming. As opposed to simply throwing your e-mail domain name into the wild (and hoping you do not land in spam), Beehiiv gradually presents your domain name utilizing their own framework. It’s wise. Like, truly wise.
And importing my list? Smooth. No funky CSV problems. No customers going away into deep space. Even linking my website was fine– alright, the designing took a little bit of effort, however hey, no system’s ideal.
The Email Builder: Pretty Good (With Some Cautions)
Let’s not sugarcoat it: the email builder isn’t flawless. Yet it’s excellent. Really great.
You can drag, go down, style, and sneak peek easily. If you’re not doing anything also design-heavy, you’ll most likely like it. Want to drop in an ad block? Done. Required a callout or an enroller section? Easy.
Look out for the Gmail Clipping Beast
Currently, a word of caution: Gmail clips emails over 102KB. And Beehiiv does not constantly caution you when you’re close to that limit. So yeah, I’ve had perfectly created newsletters get sliced off mid-sentence. Not fun.
However I found a workaround: using Parcel.io and AboutMy.Email to inspect HTML size before sending. It’s a bit manual, sure, but once you master it, you’ll prevent the dreadful clipping problem.
Expanding Your Checklist with Beehiiv: Lastly, Some Genuine Devices
This is where Beehiiv absolutely shines.
It resembles they actually desire you to expand your audience. Stunning, right?
Referral Programs That Work
Beehiiv’s integrated referral program allows your present clients generate new ones– and it really works. No janky third-party hacks. Simply clean, trackable references baked right into the platform.
Intend to run a giveaway? Offer a bonus offer 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 e-newsletters’ audiences. Think of it like cross-promotion with steroids.
Money making: Even More Cash, Less Headaches
This was one of the most significant factors I relocated to Beehiiv, I wished to generate income from smarter, not harder.
No platform costs. Clean integration with Stripe. And also:.
Integrated ad network that connects you with actual enrollers.
Customizable paid subscriptions with complete control.
Boosts for buying website traffic or earning by advertising others.
Three months in, I was currently making greater than I ever before did on my old platform and with less initiative.
Your Beehiiv Internet Site: Simple, Sleek, Effective
Let’s be honest: many e-newsletter tools uncommitted concerning your landing page. Yet Beehiiv? They offer you an entire mini-website.
You get:
- A tidy, modern homepage
- Archive pages for your previous concerns
- Custom-made forms, branding and Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Operator
It’s not a full-blown CMS, but for most creators, it’s sufficient. And it just functions. No unpleasant DNS configs or broken embeds. Simply 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 prices. You get genuine insights:.
Where subscribers originated from.
Which referral resources are working.
How much cash you have actually made.
Who’s clicking what and why.
You can track, modify, and optimize every action of your funnel, from form to open up to buy. Which type of presence? Invaluable when you’re attempting to grow on purpose.
What Beehiiv Could Boost?
No system is perfect, and Beehiiv’s obtained space to expand. Below’s what to look out for:.
The automation system is a little bit inflexible. One kind = one automation? Meh.
The email builder’s defaults require some tender loving care.
You’ll miss out on some shopping features if you’re running a store (no Shopify integration or transactional automations).
Assistance could be quicker on the unusual edge cases.
Yet here’s the thing, Beehiiv actually listens. I’ve currently seen updates roll out based on customer feedback, and that’s an actually excellent indication.
The Bottom Line: Matt Mcgarry Newsletter Operator
If you’re a creator, author, or indie author who desires:
- To expand your listing fast,
- To maintain complete ownership of your subscribers,
- To actually generate income without platform fines,
- And to not fight with confusing e-mail contractors …
Then of course, you ought to definitely provide Beehiiv a shot.
Look, it’s not for every person. If you’re running an ecommerce shop or want innovative CRM automations, perhaps look elsewhere. But if you’re constructing a community, a personal brand name, or a passion project?
Beehiiv’s obtained your back.
Frequently Asked Questions Concerning
1. Can I move my existing e-mail listing to Beehiiv?
Yes! Migration is smooth and fully sustained. No CSV headaches below.
2. Does Beehiiv take a cut of my paid registrations?
Nope. Just the typical Stripe 3% cost. The rest is all your own.
3. Is Beehiiv helpful for beginners?
Definitely. The onboarding process is clear and very easy, even if you’ve never established an e-newsletter prior to.
4. What makes Beehiiv much better than Substack?
Audience ownership, far better money making tools, no system costs, and a lot more list-growth choices.
5. Can I utilize my very own domain?
Yes. And they’ll also aid you warm it up for far better deliverability.
6. Exist built-in money making devices?
Yes! Boosts, references, ad networks and paid subscriptions are all native features.